R&J Literary Terms, sets 1 & 2

The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect.

Two characters who are placed together in a literary work for the purpose of contrast.

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction.

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

A change in tone, style, topic, and/or mood that takes place in verse, often near the end.

a reference to another piece of literature, -mythological or religious- or historic events

A contrast between what readers expect to happen and what actually does happen.

a line spoken by a character that other characters on stage cannot hear

a prediction or hint at an event that will happen later in the story

a situation where a character is unaware of some information or plot piece the audience knows

to summarize or to translate into your own, modern words

a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word; often humorous play on words

A humorous scene or event that breaks up a serious play or narrative.

A subtle and sometimes derogatory statement that is often sexually suggestive.

A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant, sarcasm.

a serious play often involving a heroic struggle and the downfall of the main character

An implied comparison that continues throughout a series of lines in a poem or play.

an imperfect character: a limitation, imperfection, problem, deficiency present in a character

a dramatic monologue in which a character’s thoughts are revealed with no listener present

a literary device used to create a contradictory expression, like “sweet sorrow”