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GCSE Classics · key term
A recurring idea or concern explored through a literary work’s events, characters and relationships.
Used by OCR
Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3, Paper 4, Paper 5
An idea explored across a literary work, such as love, mortality or the limits of heroic strength.
Revise: Literary Techniques and AnalysisThe same event can reveal character, develop a theme and gain significance from its setting.
A recurring idea or concern explored by a text, such as the relationship between family loyalty and public duty.
Name a theme precisely. ‘Women’ is a subject; ‘women’s influence on political change’ is a theme.
Distinguish a theme from an event: Circe transforming the men is an event; the abuse of hospitality is a theme explored through it.
When judging which theme is most important, compare their roles: one may motivate the journey, another cause a turning point, and another explain its moral significance.
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A recurring or central idea explored by a text, such as the relationship between wealth and happiness.
A recurring idea explored through a text’s events, characters, language and contrasts.