Key Literary Devices and Figures of Speech Defined

Synecdoche

A figure of speech using a specific name, appellation, or nickname for the person or thing itself. E.g., ‘the Apostle’ for St. Paul; ‘a Nero’ for a cruel man.

Allegory

A narrative or description in which characters, places, and events represent abstract qualities or ideas. Example: The blindfold and wings of Cupid are allegorical.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech involving exaggeration for emphasis or effect, increasing or decreasing what is spoken of.

Irony

A rhetorical figure expressing the opposite

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Mastering Textual Properties for Effective Communication

Linguistic Fitness in Communication

Linguistic diversity signifies that language is neither uniform nor homogenous; it possesses variations depending on many factors such as geography, history, social group, etc. (e.g., ‘bus’ vs. ‘coach’). Furthermore, within the same dialect, language offers distinct registers: formal, colloquial, specialized, and so on. For example, consider ‘work’ (colloquial), ‘do’, ‘perform’, or ‘produce’. While potentially synonymous in certain contexts, they carry different

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Major Works of Middle English Literature

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Author: Anonymous (same as Pearl, Patience, and Purity) – known as the Gawain Poet or Pearl Poet.
Date: Around 1375–1400.
Place: Northwest England (possibly near Cheshire or Staffordshire).
Manuscript: Cotton Nero A.x.
Location: British Library, London.

Poetic Style

  • Alliteration: The poem is known for its use of alliterative verse, where each line typically has alliterative consonant sounds.
  • Rhyming: The poem follows a bob and wheel structure, where a short line (bob)
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El Cid, Alfonso X, and Early Spanish Language Insights

The Song of El Cid: Summary

First Song

  • The Exile of the Cid: Unfairly destined for exile. Imagine a war-torn, sad hero going into exile.
  • Pain in Burgos: The pain comes to Burgos; his men and the people he appreciates watch from the balconies with heavy hearts.
  • The Cid’s Farewell to His Family: He goes to San Pedro de Cardeña to say goodbye to his wife and daughters.
  • The Fame of the Cid: He gains reputation as he travels.

Second Song

  • Proposal of the Heirs of Carrión: The noble families (Infantes de Carrión)
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Hamlet: Key Questions and Answers for Understanding the Play

Hamlet: Key Questions and Answers

  1. Where does the play take place? Denmark
  2. Where does Claudius send Cornelius and Voltimand? He has written a letter to the King of Norway, which he wants Cornelius and Voltimand to deliver. The King of Norway is Fortinbras’ uncle. He is an old man who doesn’t know what Fortinbras is planning. The King of Norway has the power to stop Fortinbras from going to war.
  3. Where did Shakespeare live? Stratford-upon-Avon, England
  4. Where is King Hamlet? He’s a ghost at night and
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Critical Perspectives on Shakespeare: Hamlet & Macbeth

Unit 1: Critical Approaches to Shakespeare

1. Neoclassical Criticism (17th Century)

Key Critics

  • Ben Jonson, John Dryden, Thomas Rymer

Key Ideas

  • Emphasis on Aristotelian unities (time, action, place).
  • Focus on decorum, order, and moral instruction.
  • Shakespeare criticized for violating classical dramatic rules.
Jonson

Admired Shakespeare’s talent but criticized his disregard for dramatic structure. Defined him as a poet of “Nature” but careless in style.

Dryden

Praised Shakespeare’s “images of nature”

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