Poetry to me
A metrical pattern consisting of five iambs (unstressed/stressed syllables) per line, commonly used in Shakespeare's plays.
What is iambic pentameter?
Shakespeare's plays fall into three genres. Tragedies, histories, and these.
What are comedies?
Refers to medicine or healing power.
What is physic?
A two-letter word that is an archaic way to say "yes" - appears often in Romeo & Juliet.
What is ay?
Refers to wrath or anger.
What is choler?
Pairs of lines that rhyme, often used to conclude scenes or emphasize a point.
What is a rhyming couplet?
A dramatic genre that presents serious themes and often ends in disaster for the protagonist, evoking pity and fear.
What is tragedy?
Great or much.
What is mickle?
An interjection, derives from the religious-tinged oath "God's wounds!"
What is zounds?
To punish with a fine.
What is amerce?
Ordinary written or spoken language without metrical structure, often used for lower-class characters or informal dialogue.
What is prose?
A character of noble stature who has a tragic flaw (hamartia) that leads to their downfall, often evoking sympathy from the audience.
What is a tragic hero?
Cheerful or helpful.
What is jocund?
An archaic term meaning 'why,' often used in the context of questioning motives
What is wherefore?
To outweigh or offset.
What is countervail?
Lines of dialogue that are split between two characters, creating a dynamic exchange.
What are shared lines?
The emotional release experienced by the audience, resulting from the tragic events of the play.
What is catharsis?
to pierce, or shoot with a dart.
What is endart?
An archaic term meaning 'soon' or 'shortly,' often used to indicate a quick return or action.
What is anon?
A vault for the dead or a sepulcher.
What is charnel?
A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme, often exploring themes of love and beauty.
What is a sonnet?
He developed the theory of tragedy we discussed in class. Fun fact, he was Alexander the Great's tutor.
Who is Aristotle?
Describes someone miserable or despicable.
What is caitiff?
An archaic term meaning 'early' or 'in good time,' often used to suggest promptness.
What is betimes?
To forewarn or portend.
What is presage?