Hamlet 3.4 Word Nerd: Rhapsody

The term 'Rhapsode' originally referred to epic poems like Homer's Iliad. In medieval French, a similar term described unconnected or miscellaneous verses with a negative connotation. This sense was adopted in English around Shakespeare's time, used for criticism. The musical meaning of 'Rhapsody' as an emotional composition emerged in the 19th century.

What did the term 'Rhapsode' originally refer to?

• An epic poem

• A musical instrument

• A medieval knight

• A type of dance

In medieval French, what did a similar term to 'Rhapsode' describe?

• A royal decree

• A type of bread

• A famous battle

• A collection of unrelated verses

During which period did the English language adopt the negative connotation of the term similar to 'Rhapsode'?

• During the Victorian era

• During Shakespeare's time

• During the Renaissance

• During the Industrial Revolution

When did the term 'Rhapsody' start being used to describe an emotional musical composition?

• In the 20th century

• In the 19th century

• In the 18th century

• In the 17th century

What is the modern meaning of 'Rhapsody'?

• A historical novel

• A type of poem

• A type of dance

• An emotional musical composition