Literary Terms
Julius Caesar
Simile
• a figure of speech in which two unlike
things are explicitly compared, as in:
• “the fog clung to him like a cloak”
Metaphor
• A metaphor is a figure of speech that identifies something as
being the same as some unrelated thing for rhetorical effect,
thus highlighting the similarities between the two.
• I’m the sunshine in your hair
I’m the shadow on the ground
I’m the whisper in the wind
I’m your imaginary friend
Idiom
• an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of
its constituent elements, as kick the bucket or hang one's head, or from the
general grammatical rules of a language, as the table round for the round
table, and that is not a constituent of a larger expression of like
characteristics.
Idiom
• An idiom (Latin: idioma, "special property", from Greek: ἰδίωμα – idíōma,
"special feature, special phrasing, a peculiarity", f. Greek: ἴδιος – ídios, "one's
own") is a phrase or a fixed expression that has a figurative, or sometimes
literal, meaning. An idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal
meaning.
Idiom Examples
A hot potato
Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is
usually disputed
A penny for your thoughts
A way of asking what someone is thinking
Actions speak louder than words
People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.
Add insult to injury
To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.
An arm and a leg
Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money.
At the drop of a hat
Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly.
Back to the drawing board
When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.
Hyperbole
• obvious and intentional exaggeration.
• an extravagant statement or figure of speech not
intended to be taken literally, as:
• to wait an eternity, I’ve told you a million times
Analogy
• a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may
be based:
• the analogy between the heart and a pump
• a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure
and for the purpose of explanation or clarification:
• an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies
Analogy
• Similes and Metaphors are analogies
• This is the confusing thing about analogies
Personification
• the attribution of human nature or character to
animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions
•The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.
•The run down house appeared depressed.
•The first rays of morning tiptoed through the meadow.
•She did not realize that opportunity was knocking at her door.
Onomatopoeia
• the formation of a word from a sound associated
with what is named
• sizzle, drip, pop, buzz, bang, whir, whisper
Allusion
• an expression designed to call something to mind
without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or
passing reference
• (examples next slide)
Allusion Examples
•“Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.” – “Romeo” is a reference to
Shakespeare’s Romeo, a passionate lover of Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet.
•“The rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora’s box of crimes.” – This is an
allusion to one of Greek Mythology’s origin myth, “Pandora’s box”.
•“This place is like a Garden of Eden.” – This is a biblical allusion to the
“garden of God” in the Book of Genesis.
•“Hey! Guess who the new Newton of our school is?” – “Newton”, means a
genius student, alludes to a famous scientist Isaac Newton.
Pun
• the humorous use of a word or phrase so as to
emphasize or suggest its different meanings or
applications, or the use of words that are alike or nearly
alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words.
the word or phrase used in this way
• (examples next slide)
Pun Examples
•Santa’s helpers are known as subordinate Clauses.
•She had a photographic memory but never developed it.
•The two pianists had a good marriage. They always were in a chord.
•I was struggling to figure out how lightning works then it struck me.
•I really wanted a camouflage shirt, but I couldn't find one.
Julius Caesar
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Roman military leader
Defeats Pompey’s sons
Attends Feast of Lupercal
Thinks he will be crowned king
Stabbed 33 times “Et tu, Brute?”
Note: Most of what a reader learns about Caesar is filtered
through other characters. Shakespeare’s actual portrayal of
him is a bit vague.
Marcus Brutus
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Is and has been a friend to Julius Caesar
“Noblest Roman” – loves Rome sincerely
Is not interested in his own personal gain
Brutus is influenced by Cassius, false letters
Honestly believes killing Caesar is best for Rome
Runs on his own sword, accepting that it is his
time to die for what he has done
Caius Cassius
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Ringleader of the conspirators
Hates and resents Caesar
Convinces Brutus to join conspirators
Forges the letters to Brutus
Hints to Brutus that the people want Brutus
to lead them
Portia
• Married to Brutus
• Very concerned that he does not confide in her
• Makes a voluntary wound in her thigh to show
her strength
• Daughter of Cato
• Accuses Brutus of treating her more like a
prostitute than a wife
• Does not want to be left out just because she is
a woman
• Kills herself by swallowing hot coals
Marc Antony
• Is ordered by Caesar to touch Calphurnia as he passes her during the race, in order
to bless her with fertility (at Feast of Lupercal)
• Brutus convinces the conspirators NOT to kill Antony when they kill Caesar
• His gift is rhetoric, or persuasive speech: “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me
your ears…”
• His speech after Caesar’s death begins a war against the conspirators
• He is successful and is the one to call Brutus, after his suicide, the “Noblest
Roman”
• Shakespeare continues his story in Antony and Cleopatra
Octavius Caesar
• Julius Caesar’s adopted son
• Octavius, Anthony, and Lepidus
form the “Second Triumvirate”
• Joins the fight against the
conspirators
Calphurnia
• Married to Julius Caesar
• Infertile – Marc Antony supposed to “bless” her in the race
• She has an ominous dream that seems to predict Caesar’s death –
she begs him to stay home that day
• Calphurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.
She dreamt tonight she saw my statua [statue],
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood: and many lusty Romans
Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it.
And these does she apply for warnings and portents,
And evils imminent, and on her knee
Hath begged that I will stay at home today. (II.ii.80-87)
Soothsayer
• He warns Caesar to “Beware the
Ides of March”
• (March 15th)
• Caesar ignores his warning
• Note: a soothsayer is someone
believed to be able to see the future;
a prophet, oracle, psychic,
clairvoyant
Casca
• One of the conspirators
• Makes fun of the theatrical way in
which Caesar refuses the crown
when it is first offered to him three
times
• He is the first conspirator to stab
Caesar
Cicero
• A well known Roman orator and
senator
• Travels with Caesar to the Senate;
he witnesses Caesar’s assassination
• The Triumvirs (Octavius, Antony,
Lepidus) have him put to death