Definition for Characterization:
Character, characterization A character is a person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, and characterization is the process by which a writer makes that character seem real to the reader. A hero or heroine, often called the protagonist, is the central character who engages the reader's interest and empathy. The antagonist is the character, force, or collection of
forces that stands directly opposed to the protagonist and gives rise to the conflict of the story. A static character does not change throughout the work, and the reader's knowledge of that character does not grow, whereas a dynamic
character undergoes some kind of change because of the action in the plot. A flat character embodies one or two qualities, ideas, or traits that can be readily described in a brief summary. They are not psychologically complex characters and therefore are readily accessible to readers.
Pun and Double Entendre:
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.
“When I learned what the gun lobby was doing, I went ballistic!”
“Did you see the movie about the hot dog? It was an Oscar Wiener.”
Double-entendre (type of pun)
A double entendre is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Typically one of the interpretations is rather obvious whereas the other is more subtle. The more subtle of the interpretations may have a humorous, ironic, or risqué purpose. It may also convey a message that would be socially awkward, or even offensive, to
state directly. (The Oxford English Dictionary describes a double entendre as being used to "convey an indelicate meaning".)
“that’s what she said”
Double entendres are popular in modern movies, as a way to conceal adult humor in a work aimed at general audiences. The James Bond films are rife with such humor. For example, in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), when Bond is disturbed by the telephone while in bed with a Danish girl, he explains to Moneypenny that he is busy "brushing up on a little Danish".
Moneypenny responds in kind by pointing out that Bond was known as "a cunning linguist."
2.2.240-254 is loaded with examples of double entendres / 2.2.187-237 utilizes many puns
Irony A literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to reveal a reality different from what appears to be true. It is ironic for a firehouse to burn down, or for a police station to be burglarized. Verbal irony is a figure of speech that occurs when a person says one thing but means the opposite. Sarcasm is a strong form of verbal irony that is calculated to hurt
someone through, for example, false praise. Dramatic irony creates a discrepancy between what a character believes or says and what the reader or audience member knows to be true. Tragic irony is a form of dramatic irony found in tragedies such as Oedipus the King, in which Oedipus searches for the person responsible for the plague that ravishes his city and ironically
ends up hunting himself. Situational irony exists when there is an incongruity between what is expected to happen and what actually happens due to forces beyond human comprehension or control. The suicide of the seemingly successful main character in Edwin Arlington Robinson's poem "Richard Cory" is an example of situational irony.
Homework:
Complete Logs for 3.1 & 3.2 (traditional)
For 3.3 & 3.4 (in place of logs)
1.
Choose one character from 3.3 OR 3.4 (other than Hamlet) and discuss how Shakespeare characterizes them. How does Shakespeare use language and actions to make the character real. In what ways (if any) has this character seemed to change since the beginning of the play? What images seem to be associated with this character? What do you think are the character’s motivations? (Why does he or she do what they do? What do they want?). What quote best represents your character. Is the character you’ve chosen a protagonist, antagonist, foil, hero, static, flat?
2.
Discuss the use of pun / double entendre in 3.4. What is the effect? (Remember, double entendres can also be ironic)
You may discuss the use of irony instead: dramatic, verbal, and situational. Be sure to provide examples and quote / cite them correctly.
Character, characterization A character is a person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, and characterization is the process by which a writer makes that character seem real to the reader. A hero or heroine, often called the protagonist, is the central character who engages the reader's interest and empathy. The antagonist is the character, force, or collection of
forces that stands directly opposed to the protagonist and gives rise to the conflict of the story. A static character does not change throughout the work, and the reader's knowledge of that character does not grow, whereas a dynamic
character undergoes some kind of change because of the action in the plot. A flat character embodies one or two qualities, ideas, or traits that can be readily described in a brief summary. They are not psychologically complex characters and therefore are readily accessible to readers.
Pun and Double Entendre:
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.
“When I learned what the gun lobby was doing, I went ballistic!”
“Did you see the movie about the hot dog? It was an Oscar Wiener.”
Double-entendre (type of pun)
A double entendre is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Typically one of the interpretations is rather obvious whereas the other is more subtle. The more subtle of the interpretations may have a humorous, ironic, or risqué purpose. It may also convey a message that would be socially awkward, or even offensive, to
state directly. (The Oxford English Dictionary describes a double entendre as being used to "convey an indelicate meaning".)
“that’s what she said”
Double entendres are popular in modern movies, as a way to conceal adult humor in a work aimed at general audiences. The James Bond films are rife with such humor. For example, in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), when Bond is disturbed by the telephone while in bed with a Danish girl, he explains to Moneypenny that he is busy "brushing up on a little Danish".
Moneypenny responds in kind by pointing out that Bond was known as "a cunning linguist."
2.2.240-254 is loaded with examples of double entendres / 2.2.187-237 utilizes many puns
Irony A literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to reveal a reality different from what appears to be true. It is ironic for a firehouse to burn down, or for a police station to be burglarized. Verbal irony is a figure of speech that occurs when a person says one thing but means the opposite. Sarcasm is a strong form of verbal irony that is calculated to hurt
someone through, for example, false praise. Dramatic irony creates a discrepancy between what a character believes or says and what the reader or audience member knows to be true. Tragic irony is a form of dramatic irony found in tragedies such as Oedipus the King, in which Oedipus searches for the person responsible for the plague that ravishes his city and ironically
ends up hunting himself. Situational irony exists when there is an incongruity between what is expected to happen and what actually happens due to forces beyond human comprehension or control. The suicide of the seemingly successful main character in Edwin Arlington Robinson's poem "Richard Cory" is an example of situational irony.
Homework:
Complete Logs for 3.1 & 3.2 (traditional)
For 3.3 & 3.4 (in place of logs)
1.
Choose one character from 3.3 OR 3.4 (other than Hamlet) and discuss how Shakespeare characterizes them. How does Shakespeare use language and actions to make the character real. In what ways (if any) has this character seemed to change since the beginning of the play? What images seem to be associated with this character? What do you think are the character’s motivations? (Why does he or she do what they do? What do they want?). What quote best represents your character. Is the character you’ve chosen a protagonist, antagonist, foil, hero, static, flat?
2.
Discuss the use of pun / double entendre in 3.4. What is the effect? (Remember, double entendres can also be ironic)
You may discuss the use of irony instead: dramatic, verbal, and situational. Be sure to provide examples and quote / cite them correctly.