| Term | Definition |
|---|
| epic | a long narrative poem which celebrates the deeds of legendary heroes |
| epic hero | a man who seems to conquer most problems he encounters and who is usually protected by or descended from the gods but does not have god like powers himself |
| epic simile | an extended simile that usually compares one complex concept with another .They are usually the length of a paragraph |
| epithets | an adjective or phrase which delineates a personality by the attributes possessed by th |
| in medias res | a Latin expression meaning the story begins in the middle of the action |
| oral tradition | the transference of stories ,songs ,etc from one generation to another |
| irony | a subtle , sometimes humorous perception of inconsistency ,in which the significance of a statement or event is changed by its content. ex:The firehouse burned down. |
| dramatic irony | the audience knows more about a character's situation than the character does , foreseeing an outcome contrary to the character's expectations |
| verbal irony | a discrepancy between what is said and what is really meant ,sarcasm |
| symbol | an object, person ,or place that has meaning in itself and also stands for something larger than itself,usually an idea or concept;some concrete thing which represents an abstraction |
| inference | the act of drawing a conclusion that is not actually stated |
| parable | a brief story or tale that obliquely depicts a moral or life lesson |
| digression | an interruption of the main action ,accomplished by telling stories unrelated to the main plot |
| omen | the use of an animal or aspect of nature to foretell an event ;a sign-indicates if the event will be good or evil |
| ambrosia | food or drink of the gods |
| antediluvian | old fashioned or primitive |
| baldric | a belt worn over the shoulder to support a sword |
| barrow | a heap of earth or rocks marking a grave |
| brazier | a metal pan to hold burning rocks to warm a room |
| cap-a- pie | from head to foot, entirely |
| cauldron | a kettle or large boiler |
| coppice | a small group of trees |
| cuckold | a man whose wife has committed adultery |
| ignominious | shameful, dishonorable , disgraceful |
| invocation | the act of calling on the gods for inspiration or help |
| lamentations | crying |
| libation | drink |
| machination | a plan or plot |
| marshal | a high official in a royal household |
| Muse | any of the nine goddesses who preside over literature or the arts |
| phantom | something that appears visible but really has no physical existance |
| portent | an omen or warning of something that is about to occur |
| precipitous | almost vertical, high and steep |
| prognosticate | to foretell or predict from indications or signs |
| prophet | a person who predicts future events or who speaks for a god |
| prudence | sound judgment,discretion ; caution |
| quant | a pole |
| suppliant | one who asks humbly or entreatingly |
| tripod | three legged stand for a cauldron |
| winnowing shovel | a way of separating the chaff from the grain |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace