Literary Terms and Devices

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Literary Terms and Devices

• Kevin Stadtler

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Figurative Language

• Figurative language is a word or phrase from
  everyday literal language for the sake of
  comparison, emphasis, or clarity

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Imagery

• Imagery is the usage of words which cause people
  to imagine pictures in their mind of a scene or
  situation
• In act 1 scene 5 lines 60-65, the Ghost uses
  imagery when he says That swift as quicksilver
  it courses through The natural gates and alleys
  of the body, And with a sudden vigor doth posset
  And curd, like eager droppings into milk, The
  thin and wholesome blood so did it mine And a
  most instant tetter bark'd about,
• In Bob Dylans song, Mr. Tambourine Man, he uses
  imagery when he describes where he finds peace,
  Then take me disappearin' through the smoke
  rings of my mind Down the foggy ruins of time,
  far past the frozen leaves.http//vimeo.com/6490
  4508

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Simile

• A simile is a comparison between objects using
  like or as to make a description more vivid.
• In Act 1 scene 5 lines 24-25, the ghost
  exclaimed Thy knotted and combined locks to part
  And each particular hair to stand on end, Like
  quills upon the fretful porpentine.
• In the song, Lover of the Light by Mumford and
  Sons, a simile is used when they sing With skin
  too tight and eyes like marbles.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vnMJUbZrNnA8

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Metaphor

• A metaphor is a comparison or assertion of
  likeness between two seemingly unlike objects. A
  metaphor does not use like or as.
• Hamlet says after meeting the ghosts that he will
  Yea, from the table of my memory I'll wipe away
  all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all
  forms, all pressures past, That youth and
  observation copied there(I. 5. 98-101). Hamlet
  here is basically comparing his head to a slate
  that is full of information and he can wipe it
  all off with one quick sweep.
• Mother Teresa uses her life as a metaphor when
  she says I'm a little pencil in the hand of a
  writing God, who is sending a love letter to the
  world.

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Personification

• Personification is when an inanimate or nonhuman
  object is given the characteristics of a human
  being.
• Claudius says in act 5, "And let the kettle to
  the trumpet speak" (V.2.277). Here he is saying
  that he will drink wine if Hamlet wins the
  fencing match with Laertes.
• Ryan Bingham, in his song Hard Times, says Hard
  times, Creepin up on the good folks you know.
  Here the Hard times are given a human persona of
  creeping up or being sneaky.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?v5o181GOT8Vg

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Apostrophe

• An apostrophe is when a speaker or writer breaks
  off from addressing the audience and speaks to an
  opponent or to a third party not involved in the
  conversation.
• Hamlet says O God! God! as an apostrophe in Act
  1 after Claudius and Gertrude beg him to stay in
  Denmark and not return to school. (I.2.132- B)
• In the rap, Mercy by Kanye West with Big Sean,
  Pusha T, and 2 Chainz, there is an apostrophe
  when a voice comes on saying It is a weeping,
  and a moaning, and a gnashing of teethIt is a
  weeping, and a moaning, and a gnashing of
  teethIt is - when it comes to my sound which is
  the champion soundBelieve! Believe! This voice
  speaks
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vWGX5-3G_1v4

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Symbol

• A symbol is something that represents or stands
  for something else, while still remaining in its
  current disposition.
• In Act V scene 1, Hamlet ponders upon death with
  the skull which he held in his hand. The Skull
  symbolizes that we are all dust and our time is
  winding down. Here he says he hath borne me on
  his back a thousand times and now, how abhorred
  in my imagination it is! (V.i.171-172).
• The stars on our national flag are symbols or
  representations for all of the separate states
  united under one flag.

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Allegory

• An allegory is a story or a poem that can be
  interpreted to have a deeper meaning about morals
  or life.
• An example of an Allegory is in Act 3 scene 2
  when Hamlet has the Players portrait the murder
  of Hamlet Sr. by Claudius. This had a deeper
  meaning to both Hamlet, Claudius, and Gertrude ,
  who was also involved in the story the players
  preformed.
• Books such as Animal Farm and 1984 have been
  written as allegories to current or possible
  future event that were to transpire. They
  contained a deeper meaning then a group of pigs
  who take over a farm or a man who reads a book.

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Paradox

• A paradox is a statement that is contradictory
  because it contains two statements that are both
  generally true cannot both be true at the same
  time.
• "You are the queen, your husband's brother's
  wife(III.4.15). Hamlet says the paradox of the
  situation that surrounds his mother.
• The Nirvana song, Come As You Are, is a song
  which involves paradoxes with lyrics like As a
  friend, As an old enemy, Take your time, Hurry
  up, The choice is yours, Don't be late.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vvabnZ9-ex7o

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Hyperbole

• A hyperbole is a great exaggeration of the truth
  or properties of an object.
• Laertes says, when Ophelia is buried, "Now pile
  your dust upon the quick and dead, Till of this
  flat a mountain you have made, To overtop old
  Pelion(V.1.258-260).
• In Bruno Mars song, Grenade, he uses an uses an
  hyperbole when he sings Id catch a grenade for
  ya. I seriously doubt he would actually do that

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Understatement

• An understatement is when somebody makes out an
  occurrence or object to be less than what it
  really was. It is the opposite of a hyperbole.
• Claudius uses understatement when he describes
  the situation with young Fortinbras of Norway. He
  makes it out to be not a big deal at all but in
  fact, Fortinbras is ready to attack the castle at
  any moment.
• Understatements are commonly used by some parents
  in dangerous situation towards young children in
  an attempt to shield them from some of the
  cruelties of society.

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Irony

• An Irony is a situation that is strange or funny
  because it turns out in a way that you wouldnt
  expect it to or want it to.
• When Hamlet is with his mom, he killed an
  intruder, who he believes to be Claudius. Ay,
  lady, 'twas my word. Lifts up the array and
  discovers POLONIUS Thou wretched, rash, intruding
  fool, farewell! (III.3.30-31).
• The song, Ironic by Alanis Morissette, sings
  extensively about irony. With lines like It's
  like rain on your wedding day, It's a free ride
  when you've already paid,It's the good advice
  that you just didn't take, she sings about the
  simple ironies of everyday life.

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Chiasmus

• Chiasmus is when terms are used in one order and
  then subsequently repeated in another order
  repeated in reverse order
• Claudius and Gertrude say a chiasmus, feeding off
  of each other. Claudius leads by saying Thanks,
  Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern. Followed by
  Gertrude saying, Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle
  Rosencrantz.(II.2.34-33).
• John F. Kennedy used this tool in one of his most
  famous lines of all time, "And so, my fellow
  Americans, ask not what your country can do for
  you ask what you can do for your country."

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Metonymy

• Metonymy is when a person is referred to by the
  name of the greater entity he or she represents.
• Claudius refers to the King of Norway,
  Fortinbras uncle, as Norway when he says For
  bearers of this greeting to old Norway (I.2.35).
• Whenever people today refer to the President, the
  Whitehouse is often used as a metonymy.

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Synecdoche

• A synecdoche is when a part is made to represent
  the whole or the whole can represent a part.
• The Ghost refers to the monarchy by as a whole by
  only using the royal beds they sleep on, when he
  says "Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch
  for luxury and damned incest.(I.5.89-90).
• People often refer to a car as a set of wheels,
  today. People also can refer to a group of cattle
  as a head.

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Repartee

• A repartee is a conversation which occurs with
  the initial exchange of witty remarks.
• In Act II, scene2, lines 371-405, Hamlet take
  part in a Repartee, which he rules the entire
  time. Claudius can not ever openly respond to his
  witty remarks of crazed and improper courtesy
  because of his much inferior status compared to
  Hamlet.
• An example or repartee in todays world is a rap
  battle between rappers. Here they give each other
  witty and amusing insults until one side falters.

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Stichomythia

• Stichomythia is an exchange of dramatic words
  between people in which a single line of meter is
  used.
• A perfect example of stichomythia is Claudius
  and Gertrudes exchange with Laertes shortly
  after he and peasants storm the castle. L. Where
  is my father? C. Dead. G. But not by him.
  (IV.5.126-128)
• Many soap operas use stichomythia to convey the
  drama transpiring in the scenes they are in.

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Stock Characters

• A stock character is a person who is quickly
  entered into a scene and easily recognized as a
  common individual.
• An example of a stock character is Osric. He
  enters into the story as a one dimensional man.
  He serves no real purpose in the story other than
  as a comic relief point before the epic battle.
• A stock character is commonly used in comedy
  television shows such as South Park, Family Guy,
  and many more.

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Musical Devices
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Alliteration

• Alliteration is the use of words with the same
  starting letter and close proximity to each
  other.
• The ghost uses alliteration while revelating to
  Hamlet With witchcraft of his wit, with
  traitorous gifts, O wicked wit and gifts, that
  have the power (I.5.43-44)
• An example of alliteration today is The Beach
  Boys song, Little Saint Nick. They alliterate in
  the song when they sing Run run reindeer Run run
  reindeer

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Assonance

• Assonance is the repetition of the sound of a
  vowel in stressed syllables, which are not
  rhyming, close enough to be recognized together.
• Along with being Alliteration, With witchcraft
  of his wit, with traitorous gifts, O wicked wit
  and gifts, that have the power (I.5.43-44) is
  also assonance because it repeats the i
• Diddys song coming home use assonance with the
  o and ai when they sing I'm coming home I'm
  coming home tell the World I'm coming home Let
  the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday.

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Consonance

• Consonance is the repetition of the same
  consonant in near consecutive uses.
• Consonance is used by hamlet when he says Thou
  wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell.
  (III.4.38). The r is the consonant that is
  focused upon.
• In Eminems song, The Real Slim Shady, he uses
  assonance with the s sound. He says, "Will the
  real Slim Shady please stand up I repeat, will
  the real Slim Shady please stand up.

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Rhyme

• A rhyme is when two or more words sound the same
  when spoken in a repeating manner.
• Shakespeare ends scene 2 in Act I with a
  concluding couplet which rhymes. Hamlet says
  Till then sit still, my soul foul deeds will
  rise, Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to
  men's eyes.(I.2.259)
• Bob Dylan sings with rhymes in his song, Shelter
  from the Storm. He sings Suddenly I turned
  around and she was standin there With silver
  bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
  She walked up to me so gracefully and took my
  crown of thorns Come in, she said, Ill give
  you shelter from the storm

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Rhythm

• Rhythm is the pace at which a poem or other
  writing goes at throughout a section of it.
• The rhythm of Hamlet is a series of stressed and
  unstressed sounds like a heartbeat. For example,
  To be, or not to be that is the question
  (III.1.56).
• Rhythm is one of the keystones of Rap music. It
  is the rhythm that keeps the flow of word on
  track. It is the rhythm that can determine the
  direction that a rap goes.

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Meter

• Meter is the pace or rhythm of poetry determined
  by the number and length of feet in a line.
• In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses a meter of 5 feet in
  his work. To be, or not to be that is the
  question (III.1.56).
• A decrepit old gas man named PeterWhile hunting
  around for the meterHis torch he did lightHe
  arose out of sightAnd, of course, as a result,
  he totally, completely and utterly destroyed the
  meter!

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End-stopped line

• An end-stop occurs when a line of poetry ends
  with a period or definite punctuation mark.
• Nay, answer me stand, and unfold
  yourself.(I.1.2) The end-stop line here is the
  period at the end of this line.
• End-stop lines are used today in songs to signify
  where the artist takes a breath or pause for the
  instruments to play.

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Run-on line

• A run-on line is a line that does not include a
  punctuation mark, designating the end of a line
  but rather continues on.
• An example of a Run-on line is And will not let
  belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded
  sight, twice seen of us(I.1.24-25)
• A run-on line is common in music because its a
  place where the singer continues to sing without
  the need to take a breath.

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Caesura

• A caesura is a pause that occurs in the middle of
  a line of verse in poetry.
• Here, a caesura is used when Francisco says I
  think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who's
  there?(I.1.13)
• Caesuras are used today in comedy to give a pause
  for effect on the audience.

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Free verse

• Free verse is a poetic style that lacks a
  regular, systematic meter or rhyme scheme
  throughout the writing.
• Shakespeare chooses not to use free verse in
  Hamlet.
• Many poets today utilize free verse in their
  poems. Walt Whitman uses free verse in his poem,
  After the Sea-Ship. He said After the
  Sea-Shipafter the whistling winds After the
  white-gray sails, taut to their spars and ropes,
  Below, a myriad, myriad waves, hastening, lifting
  up their necks, Tending in ceaseless flow toward
  the track of the ship

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Iambic pentameter

• Iambic Pentameter is a series of 5 iambs in a
  line of poetry. Of which, an Iamb contains a high
  and a low beat.
• Shakespeare uses this meter all throughout his
  Hamlet. He uses it in his most famous line in the
  poem, To be, or not to be that is the
  question (III.1.56).
• John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan is a song
  written in perfect Iambic Pentameter. He sings
  John Wesley Harding Was a friend to the poor He
  traveled with a gun In every hand.

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Grammatical Pauses

• A grammatical pause is a pause introduced into
  the reading of a line by a mark of punctuation.
• Grammatical pause occurred here in the middle of
  the line as both a period and an exclamation
  mark. I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who's
  there?(I.1.13)
• In Bob Dylans song, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall,
  he uses a grammatical pause in the middle of a
  line to introduce a new idea. Dylan sings, Where
  hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten.

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Concluding Couplet

• A concluding couplet is the final two lines,
  which rhyme, at the end of a speech or poem.
• More relative than this the play 's the thing
  Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.
  (II.2.591-592)
• Bob Dylan uses a concluding couplet in his song,
  Forever Young. He ends it by saying, And may
  your song always be sung May you stay forever
  young.