Tragedies present tales of suffering and calamity, often involving violence and death; though in Greek tragedy, the violence and death always occur offstage, in Shakespearean tragedy, the deaths sometimes take place on stage. Tragedies lead to the deaths of “exceptional” people such as royalty, nobility, etc. The idea is that the higher a person is…
1. Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more. e.g. The required subjects in this program are math, physics, and English. Tom went to the movies, Jan and Jasmine went to play pool, and I went to bed. Exercise: Insert commas where necessary in the following sentences. 1. The five largest…
THEMES 1. Archetypal journey from innocence to experience – the innocent stage: a group of young boys (children represent innocence and purity); the island at first seems like a beautiful paradise/Garden of Eden. – the experienced stage: what they go through (“the fall from grace”) and the devastating, irrevocable changes that result. 2. Civilisation vs.…
You are to select one of the following topics and write an academic, formal, literary essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, transition paragraphs and a conclusion. It should be no more than five typed pages (double spaced-including quotations) 1. “Robert Ross comes riding straight towards the camera. His hat has fallen off. His hands are…
Literary analysis is a critical response to a literary text in the form of a critical essay or an oral commentary. It includes a thorough interpretation of the work. Such analysis may be based on a variety of critical approaches or movements, e.g. archetypal criticism, cultural criticism, feminist criticism, psychoanalytic criticism, Marxist Criticism, New Criticism…
Anacoluthon – In rhetoric, a break or change in direction in a speech, often signaled by a dash. Example: “I was listening to the news – this man he’s a company director in London – the police arrested him.” Anadiplosis – A word repeated for effect. Example: “Victory at all costs, victory in spite of…
Analysis: the main purpose of analysis is to illuminate something, such as a concept, a text, an event, or a set of data, by examining its parts in detail. Considerations for analyzing setting: * The place, time, and social environment with which the action takes place What are the most important locations in the work?…
a) Arthur – early life – marriage – death Arthur was son of Uther, King of England and only son born to Igraine of Cornwall. Merlin used his magic to make Uther resemble Gorlois, Igraine’s real husband. After Arthur is born, he is sent away to be raised by Merlin, who gave him to Ector…
A symbol in most general terms is a technique used in literature (and other forms of art – like film) to signify something else of abstract merit or meaning that the author, artist, or filmmaker realizes that the audience will instantly recognize and understand. Symbolism adds depth to the understanding of the message and creates…
Definition: Satire is the literary art of diminishing a subject by making it ridiculous and evoking towards it attitudes of amusement, contempt or scorn. Characteristics: Satire uses laughter as a weapon to convince the listener or reader of the author’s position. Satire “derides” a problem or situation. Satire may be individual, this is called “Personal…
A Theme is a statement of the central idea or message in fiction, narrative or poetry. It is usually not stated explicitly, but rather developed through the characters, plot, narrator’s point of view, and language. It differs from a Topic which is the subject matter being written about, and a Thesis which is an contentious…
Develops Suspense and Atmosphere Throughout the play it has a serious tone and because of this scene taking place at night, it develops a mysterious atmosphere to it. Furthermore, there are supernatural elements in this scene. Therefore, it creates a more tense mood. This scene creates suspense because the scene ends with Hamlet follows the…
Dramatic Irony Occurs when the reader knows a secret, but the characters in a play or work of fiction do not. Therefore, the words or actions of a character carry a special meaning for the reader but are understood differently by the character. The characters are blind to facts, but the reader is not. Nemesis…
Advances the Plot “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (act i, v, 25) Learns of his father’s death Murdered by his uncle Learning this Hamlet wishes to avenge his father Links Incidents in the Plot “With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts,- wicket wit and gifts, that have the power So to seduce!-…
This scene advances the plot when Horatio, Bernardo and Marcellus reveal to Hamlet that his father’s ghost has appeared. “A figure like your father, Armed to point, exactly, cap-a-pe” (1.2.199-200). It advances the plot as it drives Hamlet to confront the ghost and gives the ghost the opportunity to reveal the true nature of his…
Act I Scene III contrasts Polonius’s different attitude towards Laertes and Ophelia, which he regards Laertes more important than Ophelia. When he speaks to Laertes, he says: “And you are stay’d for. There; my blessing with thee!” (Act I, Scene III, Line 57) While when he criticizes Ophelia’s affection with Hamlet, he says: “Affection? pooh!…
He is the author of the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1962). An Academy award-winning film version of the novel was directed by Milos Forman in 1975, starring Jack Nicholson as the main character, McMurphy. Dale Wasserman wrote an adaptation of the novel which played on Broadway. Kirk Douglas had bought the right…
Diction Refers to the choice of words and phrases by a speaker or writer, and includes the formality of the language, as well as the emotional content, the imagery and specificity, and the sounds of the words. Effective diction is situational—there is no one correct way of using the language for all situations. An author…
There is no one way to identify themes in texts. The following are two of the ways one might use to identify themes. One might try to see: Ways in which the main character has changed or what he or she has learned, and the nature of the central conflict. A Thematic Statement should be…
Plot and Sequence Fiction includes novels, short stories and other writings that tell about imaginary people and events. The plan or main story in a piece of fiction is called the plot. Understanding the order of events in a plot is important when you are reading. You probably expect the narrator, or storyteller, to start…