Chaucer and the Canterbury Tales
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25 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 imagery | language that appeals to the senses |
| figurative language | language that intentionally departs from the normal construction or meaning of words in order to create a certain effect, or to make an analogy between two seemingly different things |
| irony | a contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality- between what is said and what is really meant, between what is expected and what really happens, or between what appears to be true and what really is true (a) verbal irony: occurs when a writer or speaker says one thing but really means something quite different-often the opposite of what he/she has said (b) situational irony: occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate (c) dramatic irony:occurs when the audience or the reader knows something important that a character in a play or story does not know |
| characterization | process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character |
| paraphrase | rewording for clearness; put in your own words |
| frame story | stories within a story; an introductory narrative whithin which one or more of the characters proceeds to tell a story |
| iambic pentameter | 10 stressed and unstressed syllables; a line of poetry made up of five iambs |
| engendering | v. used as; n.creation, production |
| stature | n. height |
| personable | adj. attractrive in appearance and personality |
| shrift | confession and absolution |
| accrue | v. increase over time |
| statute | n.law |
| benign | adj. kind; gracious |
| sanguine | ruddy-complexioned. in chaucer's day this was considered a sign of a cheerful temperament; today the word signfies optimism |
| lanyard | cord |
| guile | n. sly dealings |
| diligent | adj. careful and persistent in work |
| adversity | n. trouble; misfortune |
| disdainful | adj. scornful |
| discreet | adj. cautious about one's words and actions |
| obstinate | adj. unreasonably stubborn |
| frugal | adj. thrifty |
| duress | n. pressure |
| deferred | v. postponed |
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