Much Ado Literary Terms

Allusion An indirect reference to another literary work or to a famous person, place, or event.
Aside A brief remark meant to be heard by the audience or one other character, but not the others
Comic Relief A humorous scene, incident, or speech that is included in a serious drama to break the tension
Dramatic Irony Where the reader or audience knows something the characters don’t know
Foil A character who provides a striking contrast to another character; traits are enhanced by the contrast
Foreshadowing A writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events that will happen later in the plot
Iambic Pentameter A metrical line of 5 “feet”, or units, each of which is made up of two syllables, the first unstressed and the second stressed
Metaphor A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are seeming unlike, but have something in common; often uses “is”
Monologue an emotional speech in which a speaker addresses another person (silent or absent listener)
Personification A figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, animal, or idea
Soliloquy A speech in which a character speaks thoughts aloud. Generally the character is alone on stage, not addressing anyone in particular
“If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer; his glory shall be ours” Which literary term? allusion
“The flat transgression of a schoolboy who, being overjoyed with finding a birds nest, shows it his companion and he steals it.” Which literary term? metaphor
“Is it possible disdain should die when she hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?” Which literary term? personification
“She would have made Hercules have turned spit.” Which literary term? allusion
“I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace.” Which literary term? metaphor
“Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes.” Which literary term? personification
“Oh, that I had been writ down an ass!” (Dogberry) Which literary term? comic relief
“This can be no trick, the conference was sadly born…” Benedick is standing alone in the orchard, saying his thoughts about Beatrice aloud. Which literary term? soliloquy
“Wherefore? Why doth every earthly thing cry shame upon her?…” Leonato is speaking his thoughts about Hero to Beatrice, Benedick, and the Friar. Which literary term? monologue