Literary Vocabulary

Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly. It comes from the Latin 'bene' (well) and 'volens' (wishing). It appears frequently in works by Charles Dickens.

Melancholy describes a deep, persistent sadness or gloom. Shakespeare used this word extensively, most notably in describing Hamlet's disposition.

Eloquent means fluent, persuasive, and articulate in speaking or writing. Many literary heroes, such as Atticus Finch in 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' are described as eloquent.

Quixotic means exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical. It comes directly from Cervantes' character Don Quixote, who pursued impossible dreams.

A protagonist is the leading or main character in a literary work. The word comes from Greek 'protos' (first) and 'agonistes' (actor or combatant).

Ubiquitous means present, appearing, or found everywhere. From the Latin 'ubique' meaning 'everywhere,' it is often used in literary criticism to describe recurring themes.

Verdant means green with grass or rich vegetation. From the Latin 'viridis' (green), it is commonly used by authors like Thomas Hardy to describe pastoral landscapes.

A sycophant is a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain an advantage. The word appears in works from Shakespeare to modern literature.

Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time. From the Greek 'ephemeros' (lasting only a day), it is a favorite word of poets describing the fleeting nature of beauty or life.

A soliloquy is a speech in a drama in which a character talks to themselves, revealing their thoughts. Shakespeare's 'To be, or not to be' from Hamlet is the most famous example.

Verisimilitude refers to the appearance of being true or real. In literature, it describes how believable a work of fiction feels to the reader.

A bildungsroman is a novel dealing with the moral and psychological growth of the main character from youth to adulthood. 'Great Expectations' by Dickens is a classic example.

Perspicacious means having a ready insight into and understanding of things; shrewd. It comes from the Latin 'perspicax' meaning 'having the power of seeing through.'

The denouement is the final part of a narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are resolved. It comes from the French word meaning 'untying.'

A palimpsest is a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but traces of the original remain. It is also used metaphorically in literature.