藺才芯的部落格

Western Literature

12/2

week12

*vocabulary

• catharsis(n): the process of releasing stronge motions through a particular activity or experience, such as writing or theatre, in a way that helps you to understand those emotions.

It is a Greek meaning.It is metaphor of purification and purgation of emotions—especially pity and fear.It is originally used by Aristotle in the Poetics, comparing the effects of tragedy.

     synonyms: purgation

• pure(a): clean,not-mixed,free 

For exmple:The mountain air was wonderfully pure.Tap water is never chemically pure.  opposite:impure

• purgation(n): the act of clearing, cleansing, or purifying.The clearing one's self of an offence charged, by denying the
   guilt on oath or affirmation.purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels.
• sorceress,entrantress(n): a female sorcerer女巫,女魔法師,a woman with magical powers.

• fidelity(loyalty)(n): honest or lasting support, or loyalty, especially to a sexual partner

for example:Somerset Maugham's comedy of marital fidelity, "The Constant Wife".How important do you think sexual fidelity is in a marriage?

*prefix

• agon---suffering

       agonist(n): a muscle that is pulled in the opposite direction by another muscle

       agony(n): extreme physical or mentalpain or suffering

for example:She lay there screaming in agony.I was in an agony of suspense.We've both suffered agonies of guilt over what happened.