Repartee in Literature

Repartee in Literature: Introduction

Repartee in literature, a literary device characterized by quick-witted and often humorous verbal exchanges, serves as a dynamic and engaging element in literature. Rooted in the art of clever retorts and rapid dialogue, repartee contributes to the liveliness of character interactions, adding layers of wit and humor to the narrative.

This form of linguistic agility often reflects the intellectual prowess and social dynamics of characters, showcasing their ability to navigate conversations with skill and finesse. Whether employed in classic works or contemporary literature, repartee enhances dialogues, fostering reader engagement and providing insight into the personalities and relationships of the characters involved. The deliberate and playful use of language in repartee elevates the overall tone of literary works, making it an enduring and versatile device in the realm of storytelling.

Repartee in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Play	Character Interaction	Repartee Example
Much Ado About Nothing	Beatrice and Benedick engage in witty banter and verbal sparring.	Beatrice: “I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick; nobody marks you.” Benedick: “What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?”
Twelfth Night	Viola and Olivia’s playful and teasing dialogue.	Viola: “Make me a willow cabin at your gate.” Olivia: “I would thou mightst never draw a sword again.”
Hamlet	Hamlet’s clever wordplay in various soliloquies and interactions.	Hamlet: “Not a whit, we defy augury; there’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow.”
As You Like It	Rosalind and Orlando’s banter as they navigate their growing affection.	Rosalind: “Men are April when they woo, December when they wed.” Orlando: “Which is the heaviest matter of it, I think.”
Romeo and Juliet	Mercutio’s sharp and humorous exchanges with Romeo and others.	Mercutio: “If love be rough with you, be rough with love; prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.”
The Taming of the Shrew	Katherine and Petruchio’s confrontational yet witty exchanges.	Katherine: “Your heart’s against your reputation.” Petruchio: “When did I beat thee before?”
Othello	Iago’s manipulative and sarcastic repartee with Othello and others.	Iago: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”
Macbeth	The dialogue between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth reveals cunning repartee.	Lady Macbeth: “What beast was ’t, then, that made you break this enterprise to me?” Macbeth: “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me.”

These examples from Shakespeare’s plays illustrate the diverse ways in which repartee is utilized to enhance character interactions and contribute to the overall richness of the dialogue.

Repartee in Literature: Examples

Literary Work	Example	Explanation
Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895)	Algernon: “All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.” Jack: “Is that clever?” Algernon: “It is perfectly phrased! and quite as true as any observation in civilized life should be.”	Wilde’s play is known for its sharp and witty dialogue. In this exchange, Algernon uses paradox and clever wording to make a humorous observation about women and their mothers.
Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (1813)	Elizabeth Bennet: “I wonder that any man could ever take you for a wife.” Mr. Darcy: “I shall endeavor to rectify my behavior. I cannot promise to be astonished at anything you say.”	Austen’s novels are filled with subtle and polite repartee. In this exchange, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy engage in a battle of words, revealing their intelligence and pride.
Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (1884)	Huck Finn: “All right, then, I’ll go to hell.”	Huck’s decision to help Jim, regardless of societal expectations, is a defiant and witty response. Twain’s use of Huck’s straightforward and rebellious language adds depth and humor to the novel while highlighting the moral conflict.
Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” (1598)	Beatrice: “I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick. Nobody marks you.” Benedick: “What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?”	Shakespearean plays are rich in repartee. Here, Beatrice and Benedick engage in a playful exchange, showcasing their witty banter and the underlying romantic tension.
Dorothy Parker’s Short Stories (20th Century)	“If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised.”	Parker was known for her sharp wit and satirical humor. This quote showcases her ability to turn a phrase and make a humorous observation about social norms.
Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1890)	Lord Henry: “I can resist anything except temptation.”	Wilde’s works are filled with memorable repartee, and this line from Lord Henry captures the essence of the character’s worldview in a clever and concise manner.
Dorothy L. Sayers’ “Gaudy Night” (1935)	Lord Peter Wimsey: “I always have a quotation for everything – it saves original thinking.”	Sayers’ detective novels featuring Lord Peter Wimsey often include clever dialogue. This quote humorously captures Wimsey’s character and his penchant for quoting literature.
George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” (1912)	Eliza Doolittle: “I am a common ignorant girl, in my station I have to be respectable.” Professor Henry Higgins: “It’s the new small talk. You do it so awfully well.”	Shaw’s play explores social class and language. In this exchange, the characters showcase their wit while addressing issues of identity and societal expectations.
Tom Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” (1966)	Rosencrantz: “Do you think death could possibly be a boat?” Guildenstern: “No, no, no… Death is not. Death isn’t. You take my meaning. Death is the ultimate negative. Not-being. You can’t not-be on a boat.”	Stoppard’s play is known for its clever wordplay and existential themes. This exchange between Rosencrantz and Guildenstern reflects the play’s exploration of life, death, and the nature of existence.

These examples illustrate the wit and clever dialogue present in each work, showcasing the authors’ mastery in using language to convey humor, social commentary, and deeper thematic elements.

Repartee in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Repartee in Literature
Formalism	– Contributes to the aesthetic appeal of a text. – Showcases the author’s skill in crafting dialogue and wordplay. – Enhances the formal qualities of a literary piece.
Structuralism	– Functions as a structural element, creating patterns within dialogue. – Contributes to the overall meaning and cohesion of the text. – Analyzed in terms of its role within the linguistic system of a literary work.
Poststructuralism	– Serves as a tool for deconstruction, revealing layers of meaning. – Subverts traditional interpretations. – Disrupts conventional language norms, allowing for multiple interpretations.
Feminist Criticism	– Empowers female characters by allowing them to assert themselves and challenge societal norms. – Contributes to the agency of female characters.
Marxist Criticism	– Reflects social dynamics, with characters using wit to navigate class distinctions. – May challenge existing power structures through clever language use. – Functions as a tool for social commentary and resistance.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	– Reveals underlying desires, conflicts, or defense mechanisms through clever language use. – Serves as a manifestation of characters’ unconscious thoughts and emotions.
Reader-Response Theory	– Engages readers actively, requiring them to decipher wit and wordplay. – Readers’ interpretations contribute to the overall meaning-making process.
Cultural Studies	– Reflects linguistic norms, humor, and social interactions of a specific time and place. – Functions as a cultural artifact, shedding light on social attitudes and communication styles.

This table provides a concise overview of how repartee in literature aligns with various literary theories, highlighting its multifaceted role in the analysis of literary works.

Repartee in Literature: Relevant Terms

1. Wordplay:
   • Clever manipulation of language for humorous or rhetorical effect.
2. Banter:
   • Playful and light-hearted exchange of teasing remarks.
3. Wit:
   • Quick intelligence and cleverness, especially in expression.
4. Paradox:
   • A statement that appears contradictory but may reveal deeper truths.
5. Satire:
   • Use of humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize or mock.
6. Irony:
   • A contrast between expectations and reality, often humorous.
7. Riposte:
   • Quick and witty response in a conversation or argument.
8. Quip:
   • A clever or witty remark, often short and pointed.
9. Double Entendre:
   • A phrase with a double meaning, usually one being risqué or humorous.
10. Repartee:
    • Quick, witty, and skillful exchange in conversation or debate.

Repartee in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. Dover Publications, 1990.
2. Shakespeare, William. Much Ado About Nothing. Simon & Schuster, 2004.
3. Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Classics, 2003.
4. Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver’s Travels. Oxford University Press, 2005.
5. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter series. Scholastic. 2006.
6. Bakhtin, Mikhail. Speech Genres and Other Late Essays. University of Texas Press, 1986.
7. Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1961.
8. Foucault, Michel. The Archaeology of Knowledge. Routledge, 2002.
9. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dover Publications, 1993.
10. Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Cornell University Press, 1983.