Literary terms V5

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Humanism

The main features of Humanism are:

• belief in the essential dignity of man

• Man is at the center of the universe

• involvement in the affairs of the world as opposed to the asceticism of the scholastics

• love of Latin and of classical (Roman and Greek) philosophy

• interest in authenticating classical texts

• a rejection of formal religion and the application of ethical principles to one's life.

• intellectual and cultural advancement

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The characteristics of the Renaissance: 

• Importance of the individual

• Man, not God, as the centre of interest

• Importance of independent thinking

• This world as the centre of interest (‘carpe diem’)

• Classical world as a source of inspiration

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Lyric poetry:

A lyric poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts rather than events. Sonnets, elegies and odes are examples of Lyric poetry. A lyric poem is short, highly musical verse that conveys powerful feelings. The poet may use rhyme, meter, or other literary devices to create a song-like quality.

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Pastoral poetry:

Pastoral poetry is known for exploring the relationship between humans and nature, and for romanticizing the ideals of a simple country life. A pastoral poem explores the fantasy of withdrawing from that modern life to live in an idyllic rural setting.

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Sonnet:

The characteristics of a sonnet: 

• a very structured form of poetry

• It can take various forms 

• Each form has strict rules for length, rhythm, and rhyme

• Each form employs iambic pentameter

• Each form also includes a volta

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Stanza:  A stanza (Dutch: strofe, couplet) is a group of lines which form a division of a poem.​

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Iambic pentameter: is, ten syllables in each line, with the even syllables being the stressed syllables.

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Methaphor:A Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated, but which share some common characteristics. In other words, a resemblance of two contradictory or different objects is made based on a single or some common characteristics.

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Similes: A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as.” Therefore, it is a direct comparison

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Tragedy: Tragedy is a type of drama. The word ‘drama’ refers to plays in general. Tragedy is a type of play meant for theatre, film or television, that is serious and sad and often ends with the death of the main character. In modern tragedies the main characters do not always die in the literary sense of the word, but they will be destroyed spiritually in the end. The main character ​is often a good person at heart, who has a flaw in his or her character; some very human and understandable weakness, such as jealousy or ambition. Fate plays an important role in tragedy: circumstances are such that the flaw in the main character can become apparent.

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Setting: The setting of a story is a combination of the time when and the place where a story takes place. The setting gives you the background of the characters. You get a general impression of the surroundings, the period and the social class in which the story takes place. If you describe the setting of a story you give a complete answer to the question where and when.

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