Origin of Pound of Flesh The origin of this phrase is taken from William Shakespeare’s play, Merchant of Venice. The character Portia says this line on the insistence of Shylock, the Jew, for the payment of Antonio’s flesh, which is…
Author: admin
Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair
Origin of Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair This phrase pervades Shakespeare’s entire play, Macbeth, reminding the audience they need to look deeper in order to understand the thoughts and actions of the characters. Though it first appears in the…
Frailty, Thy Name is Woman
Origin of Frailty, Thy Name is Woman Hamlet, the hero of Shakespeare’s masterpiece Hamlet, utters this famous phrase in Act 1, Scene II. In fact, he is recalling the beautiful memories of his mother and deceased father. He mourns the…
Wherefore Art Thou Romeo
Origin of Wherefore Art Thou Romeo This phrase is filled with the emotional agony of the speaker, Juliet, in William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. Juliet says: “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo Deny thy father and refuse thy…
To Thine Own Self Be True
Origin of To Thine Own Self Be True This phrase is one of the countless famous quotes coined by William Shakespeare. In Act 1, Scene III of the famous play, Hamlet, Polonius says: “This above all: to thine own self…
Overstatement
Definition of Overstatement Overstatement is an act of stating something more profoundly than it actually is, in order to make the point more serious or important or beautiful. In literature, writers use overstatement as a literary technique for the sake…
Pedantic
Definition of Pedantic Pedantic comes from the French word pedant, which means “to teach or to act as pedagogue.” A pedantic is someone who is concerned with precision, formalism, accuracy, and minute details in order to make an arrogant and ostentatious…
Maxim
Definition of Maxim A literary device, maxim is a simple and memorable line, quote, or rule for taking action and leading a good life. Simply put, it is a thought with moralistic values that intends to motivate individuals. Maxim is,…
Exaggeration
Definition of Exaggeration We all exaggerate. Sometimes by spicing up stories to make them more fun, or simply to highlight our points. Exaggeration is a statement that makes something worse, or better, than it really is. In literature and oral…
Perspective
Definition of Perspective While reading a fiction or non-fiction book, readers see and experience the events and feelings about the characters through a certain point of view, which is called a “perspective.” A perspective is a literary tool, which serves…
Diatribe
Definition of Diatribe Diatribe is a violent or bitter criticism of something or someone. It is a rhetorical device used as a verbal attack against a person, group, institution, or a particular behavior. Merriam Webster defines diatribe as, “An angry…
Vernacular
Definition of Vernacular Vernacular is a literary genre that uses daily-used language in writing and speaking. It is different from written works, as they normally follow the formal variety of language. The word “vernacular” refers to writing or speaking of…
Rebuttal
Definition of Rebuttal Strictly interpreted, “rebuttal” refers to an attempt to disapprove, contradict, or argue to overcome an opposing reasoning or evidence, by introducing another reasoning and evidence to destroy the effect of the previous one. Rebuttal is a literary…
Riddle
Definition of Riddle A riddle is a question, a puzzle, a phrase, or a statement devised to get unexpected or clever answers. It is a folklore genre as well as rhetorical device, often having veiled or double meanings. When someone…
Assertion
Definition of Assertion When someone makes a statement investing his strong belief in it, as if it is true, though it may not be, he is making an assertion. Assertion is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration,…
Naturalism
Definition of Naturalism Naturalism is a literary genre that started as a movement in late nineteenth century in literature, film, theater, and art. It is a type of extreme realism. This movement suggested the roles of family, social conditions, and…
Persuasion
Definition of Persuasion Persuasion is a literary technique that writers use to present their ideas through reason and logic, in order to influence the audience. Persuasion may simply use an argument to persuade the readers, or sometimes may persuade readers…
Homily
Definition of Homily Homily is a sermon or speech that a religious person or priest delivers before a group of people to offer them moral correction. The primary purpose of this speech is not doctrinal instruction, but spiritual edification. Simply,…
Critique
Definition of Critique Critique is a literary technique that means to critically evaluate a piece of literary work, or a political or philosophical theory in detail. A critique could be a critical essay, an article evaluating a literary piece, or…
Bandwagon
Definition of Bandwagon Bandwagon is a persuasive technique and a type of propaganda through which a writer persuades his readers, so that the majority could agree with the argument of the writer. He does this by suggesting that, since the…