English 213 (British Writers): literary terms you should know before the midterm [01/15/2008]

 

imagery

tone

theme

irony

dramatic irony

situational irony

cosmic irony

the Great Chain of Being (in Renaissance literature)

soliloquy

counterpoint

Aristotelian terms for tragedy:

tragic effect (pity & terror, moral uplift)

catharsis

tragic hero

tragic flaw

tragic style (restrained, higher diction. comedy, on the other hand, uses broad strokes and even slapstick, lower language)

character

setting

plot

conflict

climax

falling action

dénouement