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Literary Terms and Devices

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Title: Literary Terms and Devices


1
Literary Terms and Devices
  • Kevin Stadtler

2
Figurative Language
  • Figurative language is a word or phrase from
    everyday literal language for the sake of
    comparison, emphasis, or clarity

3
Imagery
  • Imagery is the usage of words which cause people
    to imagine pictures in their mind of a scene or
    situation
  • In act 1 scene 5 lines 60-65, the Ghost uses
    imagery when he says That swift as quicksilver
    it courses through The natural gates and alleys
    of the body, And with a sudden vigor doth posset
    And curd, like eager droppings into milk, The
    thin and wholesome blood so did it mine And a
    most instant tetter bark'd about,
  • In Bob Dylans song, Mr. Tambourine Man, he uses
    imagery when he describes where he finds peace,
    Then take me disappearin' through the smoke
    rings of my mind Down the foggy ruins of time,
    far past the frozen leaves.http//vimeo.com/6490
    4508

4
Simile
  • A simile is a comparison between objects using
    like or as to make a description more vivid.
  • In Act 1 scene 5 lines 24-25, the ghost
    exclaimed Thy knotted and combined locks to part
    And each particular hair to stand on end, Like
    quills upon the fretful porpentine.
  • In the song, Lover of the Light by Mumford and
    Sons, a simile is used when they sing With skin
    too tight and eyes like marbles.
  • http//www.youtube.com/watch?vnMJUbZrNnA8

5
Metaphor
  • A metaphor is a comparison or assertion of
    likeness between two seemingly unlike objects. A
    metaphor does not use like or as.
  • Hamlet says after meeting the ghosts that he will
    Yea, from the table of my memory I'll wipe away
    all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all
    forms, all pressures past, That youth and
    observation copied there(I. 5. 98-101). Hamlet
    here is basically comparing his head to a slate
    that is full of information and he can wipe it
    all off with one quick sweep.
  • Mother Teresa uses her life as a metaphor when
    she says I'm a little pencil in the hand of a
    writing God, who is sending a love letter to the
    world.

6
Personification
  • Personification is when an inanimate or nonhuman
    object is given the characteristics of a human
    being.
  • Claudius says in act 5, "And let the kettle to
    the trumpet speak" (V.2.277). Here he is saying
    that he will drink wine if Hamlet wins the
    fencing match with Laertes.
  • Ryan Bingham, in his song Hard Times, says Hard
    times, Creepin up on the good folks you know.
    Here the Hard times are given a human persona of
    creeping up or being sneaky.
  • http//www.youtube.com/watch?v5o181GOT8Vg

7
Apostrophe
  • An apostrophe is when a speaker or writer breaks
    off from addressing the audience and speaks to an
    opponent or to a third party not involved in the
    conversation.
  • Hamlet says O God! God! as an apostrophe in Act
    1 after Claudius and Gertrude beg him to stay in
    Denmark and not return to school. (I.2.132- B)
  • In the rap, Mercy by Kanye West with Big Sean,
    Pusha T, and 2 Chainz, there is an apostrophe
    when a voice comes on saying It is a weeping,
    and a moaning, and a gnashing of teethIt is a
    weeping, and a moaning, and a gnashing of
    teethIt is - when it comes to my sound which is
    the champion soundBelieve! Believe! This voice
    speaks
  • http//www.youtube.com/watch?vWGX5-3G_1v4

8
Symbol
  • A symbol is something that represents or stands
    for something else, while still remaining in its
    current disposition.
  • In Act V scene 1, Hamlet ponders upon death with
    the skull which he held in his hand. The Skull
    symbolizes that we are all dust and our time is
    winding down. Here he says he hath borne me on
    his back a thousand times and now, how abhorred
    in my imagination it is! (V.i.171-172).
  • The stars on our national flag are symbols or
    representations for all of the separate states
    united under one flag.

9
Allegory
  • An allegory is a story or a poem that can be
    interpreted to have a deeper meaning about morals
    or life.
  • An example of an Allegory is in Act 3 scene 2
    when Hamlet has the Players portrait the murder
    of Hamlet Sr. by Claudius. This had a deeper
    meaning to both Hamlet, Claudius, and Gertrude ,
    who was also involved in the story the players
    preformed.
  • Books such as Animal Farm and 1984 have been
    written as allegories to current or possible
    future event that were to transpire. They
    contained a deeper meaning then a group of pigs
    who take over a farm or a man who reads a book.

10
Paradox
  • A paradox is a statement that is contradictory
    because it contains two statements that are both
    generally true cannot both be true at the same
    time.
  • "You are the queen, your husband's brother's
    wife(III.4.15). Hamlet says the paradox of the
    situation that surrounds his mother.
  • The Nirvana song, Come As You Are, is a song
    which involves paradoxes with lyrics like As a
    friend, As an old enemy, Take your time, Hurry
    up, The choice is yours, Don't be late.
  • http//www.youtube.com/watch?vvabnZ9-ex7o

11
Hyperbole
  • A hyperbole is a great exaggeration of the truth
    or properties of an object.
  • Laertes says, when Ophelia is buried, "Now pile
    your dust upon the quick and dead, Till of this
    flat a mountain you have made, To overtop old
    Pelion(V.1.258-260).
  • In Bruno Mars song, Grenade, he uses an uses an
    hyperbole when he sings Id catch a grenade for
    ya. I seriously doubt he would actually do that

12
Understatement
  • An understatement is when somebody makes out an
    occurrence or object to be less than what it
    really was. It is the opposite of a hyperbole.
  • Claudius uses understatement when he describes
    the situation with young Fortinbras of Norway. He
    makes it out to be not a big deal at all but in
    fact, Fortinbras is ready to attack the castle at
    any moment.
  • Understatements are commonly used by some parents
    in dangerous situation towards young children in
    an attempt to shield them from some of the
    cruelties of society.

13
Irony
  • An Irony is a situation that is strange or funny
    because it turns out in a way that you wouldnt
    expect it to or want it to.
  • When Hamlet is with his mom, he killed an
    intruder, who he believes to be Claudius. Ay,
    lady, 'twas my word. Lifts up the array and
    discovers POLONIUS Thou wretched, rash, intruding
    fool, farewell! (III.3.30-31).
  • The song, Ironic by Alanis Morissette, sings
    extensively about irony. With lines like It's
    like rain on your wedding day, It's a free ride
    when you've already paid,It's the good advice
    that you just didn't take, she sings about the
    simple ironies of everyday life.

14
Chiasmus
  • Chiasmus is when terms are used in one order and
    then subsequently repeated in another order
    repeated in reverse order
  • Claudius and Gertrude say a chiasmus, feeding off
    of each other. Claudius leads by saying Thanks,
    Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern. Followed by
    Gertrude saying, Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle
    Rosencrantz.(II.2.34-33).
  • John F. Kennedy used this tool in one of his most
    famous lines of all time, "And so, my fellow
    Americans, ask not what your country can do for
    you ask what you can do for your country."

15
Metonymy
  • Metonymy is when a person is referred to by the
    name of the greater entity he or she represents.
  • Claudius refers to the King of Norway,
    Fortinbras uncle, as Norway when he says For
    bearers of this greeting to old Norway (I.2.35).
  • Whenever people today refer to the President, the
    Whitehouse is often used as a metonymy.

16
Synecdoche
  • A synecdoche is when a part is made to represent
    the whole or the whole can represent a part.
  • The Ghost refers to the monarchy by as a whole by
    only using the royal beds they sleep on, when he
    says "Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch
    for luxury and damned incest.(I.5.89-90).
  • People often refer to a car as a set of wheels,
    today. People also can refer to a group of cattle
    as a head.

17
Repartee
  • A repartee is a conversation which occurs with
    the initial exchange of witty remarks.
  • In Act II, scene2, lines 371-405, Hamlet take
    part in a Repartee, which he rules the entire
    time. Claudius can not ever openly respond to his
    witty remarks of crazed and improper courtesy
    because of his much inferior status compared to
    Hamlet.
  • An example or repartee in todays world is a rap
    battle between rappers. Here they give each other
    witty and amusing insults until one side falters.

18
Stichomythia
  • Stichomythia is an exchange of dramatic words
    between people in which a single line of meter is
    used.
  • A perfect example of stichomythia is Claudius
    and Gertrudes exchange with Laertes shortly
    after he and peasants storm the castle. L. Where
    is my father? C. Dead. G. But not by him.
    (IV.5.126-128)
  • Many soap operas use stichomythia to convey the
    drama transpiring in the scenes they are in.

19
Stock Characters
  • A stock character is a person who is quickly
    entered into a scene and easily recognized as a
    common individual.
  • An example of a stock character is Osric. He
    enters into the story as a one dimensional man.
    He serves no real purpose in the story other than
    as a comic relief point before the epic battle.
  • A stock character is commonly used in comedy
    television shows such as South Park, Family Guy,
    and many more.

20
Musical Devices
21
Alliteration
  • Alliteration is the use of words with the same
    starting letter and close proximity to each
    other.
  • The ghost uses alliteration while revelating to
    Hamlet With witchcraft of his wit, with
    traitorous gifts, O wicked wit and gifts, that
    have the power (I.5.43-44)
  • An example of alliteration today is The Beach
    Boys song, Little Saint Nick. They alliterate in
    the song when they sing Run run reindeer Run run
    reindeer

22
Assonance
  • Assonance is the repetition of the sound of a
    vowel in stressed syllables, which are not
    rhyming, close enough to be recognized together.
  • Along with being Alliteration, With witchcraft
    of his wit, with traitorous gifts, O wicked wit
    and gifts, that have the power (I.5.43-44) is
    also assonance because it repeats the i
  • Diddys song coming home use assonance with the
    o and ai when they sing I'm coming home I'm
    coming home tell the World I'm coming home Let
    the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday.

23
Consonance
  • Consonance is the repetition of the same
    consonant in near consecutive uses.
  • Consonance is used by hamlet when he says Thou
    wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell.
    (III.4.38). The r is the consonant that is
    focused upon.
  • In Eminems song, The Real Slim Shady, he uses
    assonance with the s sound. He says, "Will the
    real Slim Shady please stand up I repeat, will
    the real Slim Shady please stand up.

24
Rhyme
  • A rhyme is when two or more words sound the same
    when spoken in a repeating manner.
  • Shakespeare ends scene 2 in Act I with a
    concluding couplet which rhymes. Hamlet says
    Till then sit still, my soul foul deeds will
    rise, Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to
    men's eyes.(I.2.259)
  • Bob Dylan sings with rhymes in his song, Shelter
    from the Storm. He sings Suddenly I turned
    around and she was standin there With silver
    bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
    She walked up to me so gracefully and took my
    crown of thorns Come in, she said, Ill give
    you shelter from the storm

25
Rhythm
  • Rhythm is the pace at which a poem or other
    writing goes at throughout a section of it.
  • The rhythm of Hamlet is a series of stressed and
    unstressed sounds like a heartbeat. For example,
    To be, or not to be that is the question
    (III.1.56).
  • Rhythm is one of the keystones of Rap music. It
    is the rhythm that keeps the flow of word on
    track. It is the rhythm that can determine the
    direction that a rap goes.

26
Meter
  • Meter is the pace or rhythm of poetry determined
    by the number and length of feet in a line.
  • In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses a meter of 5 feet in
    his work. To be, or not to be that is the
    question (III.1.56).
  • A decrepit old gas man named PeterWhile hunting
    around for the meterHis torch he did lightHe
    arose out of sightAnd, of course, as a result,
    he totally, completely and utterly destroyed the
    meter!

27
End-stopped line
  • An end-stop occurs when a line of poetry ends
    with a period or definite punctuation mark.
  • Nay, answer me stand, and unfold
    yourself.(I.1.2) The end-stop line here is the
    period at the end of this line.
  • End-stop lines are used today in songs to signify
    where the artist takes a breath or pause for the
    instruments to play.

28
Run-on line
  • A run-on line is a line that does not include a
    punctuation mark, designating the end of a line
    but rather continues on.
  • An example of a Run-on line is And will not let
    belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded
    sight, twice seen of us(I.1.24-25)
  • A run-on line is common in music because its a
    place where the singer continues to sing without
    the need to take a breath.

29
Caesura
  • A caesura is a pause that occurs in the middle of
    a line of verse in poetry.
  • Here, a caesura is used when Francisco says I
    think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who's
    there?(I.1.13)
  • Caesuras are used today in comedy to give a pause
    for effect on the audience.

30
Free verse
  • Free verse is a poetic style that lacks a
    regular, systematic meter or rhyme scheme
    throughout the writing.
  • Shakespeare chooses not to use free verse in
    Hamlet.
  • Many poets today utilize free verse in their
    poems. Walt Whitman uses free verse in his poem,
    After the Sea-Ship. He said After the
    Sea-Shipafter the whistling winds After the
    white-gray sails, taut to their spars and ropes,
    Below, a myriad, myriad waves, hastening, lifting
    up their necks, Tending in ceaseless flow toward
    the track of the ship

31
Iambic pentameter
  • Iambic Pentameter is a series of 5 iambs in a
    line of poetry. Of which, an Iamb contains a high
    and a low beat.
  • Shakespeare uses this meter all throughout his
    Hamlet. He uses it in his most famous line in the
    poem, To be, or not to be that is the
    question (III.1.56).
  • John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan is a song
    written in perfect Iambic Pentameter. He sings
    John Wesley Harding Was a friend to the poor He
    traveled with a gun In every hand.

32
Grammatical Pauses
  • A grammatical pause is a pause introduced into
    the reading of a line by a mark of punctuation.
  • Grammatical pause occurred here in the middle of
    the line as both a period and an exclamation
    mark. I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who's
    there?(I.1.13)
  • In Bob Dylans song, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall,
    he uses a grammatical pause in the middle of a
    line to introduce a new idea. Dylan sings, Where
    hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten.

33
Concluding Couplet
  • A concluding couplet is the final two lines,
    which rhyme, at the end of a speech or poem.
  • More relative than this the play 's the thing
    Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.
    (II.2.591-592)
  • Bob Dylan uses a concluding couplet in his song,
    Forever Young. He ends it by saying, And may
    your song always be sung May you stay forever
    young.
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