Forms of Literature
Literary Devices
Ancient Literature
The Iliad: Characters
The Iliad: Plot & Themes
100

This form of writing uses natural speech patterns, unlike poetry.

prose

100

A rose representing love is an example of this device.

symbolism

100

Long narrative poems recounting heroic journeys.

epics

100

The Greeks’ greatest warrior, known for his pride.

Achilles

100

Homer begins the story “in the middle of things,” using this technique.

in media res

200

A short narrative with animals that teaches a lesson.

fable

200

Saying “Great weather!” during a thunderstorm is this type of irony.

verbal irony

200

Stories passed down by word of mouth before writing.

oral tradition

200

The Trojan prince who kills Patroclus but is later slain by Achilles.

Hector

200

The war begins after this prince takes Helen.

Paris

300

A 14-line poem with a fixed rhyme scheme, often about love.

sonnet

300

A vivid description appealing to the five senses.

imagery

300

This ancient text explores mortality and the search for immortality.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

300

The leader of the Greek army who angers Achilles.

Agamemnon

300

Achilles’ return to battle is triggered by the death of this companion.

Patroclus

400

A dramatic genre where the main character suffers downfall or death.

tragedy

400

The classroom was a zoo” is this type of comparison.

metaphor

400

The Greek myth explaining the seasons involves these two goddesses.

Persephone and Demeter

400

This king of Troy begs Achilles to return his son’s body.

Priam

400

Name one theme of The Iliad

Honor & Glory, Anger & Revenge, Fate & the Gods, Compassion & Humanity

500

This period of literature (1300–1600 CE) was marked by humanism, art, and revival of classical works.

Renaissance

500

The sequence of events in a story is known as this literary element.

plot

500

The word “epic” comes from this Greek word meaning “story” and “poem.”

epos

500

This woman, taken by Achilles and then Agamemnon, sparks Achilles’ rage.

Briseis

500

The Iliad ends not with victory, but with this solemn event.

Hector’s funeral