Drama Terms

Question 1

intentional lead up to nothing

Answer 1

Anticlimax

Question 2

a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes, such as idealism, courage, and morality. Often motivated by self-interest.

Answer 2

Antihero

Question 3

comment made by a character (usually in a play) that is only intended for the audience or just another character. Creates dramatic irony.

Answer 3

Aside

Question 4

post WWII designation for particular plays where normal conventions and dramatic structure are ignored or modified. Existentialism. No clear plot.

Answer 4

Theatre of the Absurd

Question 5

discovery that produces a change from ignorance to knowledge

Answer 5

Character Recognition

Question 6

relief from emotional tension

Answer 6

Comic relief

Question 7

when a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and/or abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence. “God from the machine”

Answer 7

Deus Ex Machina

Question 8

character who changes throughout the story and is different at the end. (Ex: Anakin)

Answer 8

Dynamic Character

Question 9

character with lack of depth and dimension. Only one or two features (ex: Evil Stepmother)

Answer 9

Flat Character

Question 10

multi-dimensional character

Answer 10

Round Character

Question 11

character who doesn’t undergo changes

Answer 11

Static Character

Question 12

funny play. Typically have a buffoon type character who gets into crazy scenarios.

Answer 12

Farce

Question 13

character whose purpose is to draw comparisons to another character (usually the protagonist). Often highlights weaknesses. Characters don’t need to oppose each other.

Answer 13

Foil

Question 14

dropped into the middle of a story

Answer 14

In Media Res

Question 15

one person speaking; usually a long, tedious speech

Answer 15

Monologue

Question 16

one character (alone on stage) speaking to audience

Answer 16

Soliloquy

Question 17

two separate plots that relate to each other through a character, event, or theme.

Answer 17

Parallel Plots/Sub Plot

Question 18

turning point in a novel ( ex : Oedipus finds out about parents, Luke realizes Vader is his dad)

Answer 18

Plot Reversal

Question 19

dialogue in which two characters speak alternate lines of verse, used as a stylistic device in ancient Greek drama.

Answer 19

Stichomythia

Question 20

fictional character in a novel, play, or work of art that the audience recognizes from frequent reoccurrences in a particular literary tradition. Archetypes

Answer 20

Stock Character

Question 21

makes fun of or parodies something serious that happens.

Answer 21

Travesty

Question 22

when the audience knows something the characters don’t. Builds tension

Answer 22

Dramatic Irony

Question 23

plays written during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.

Answer 23

Elizabethan Drama

Question 24

imaginary wall between characters and audience. Audience can see into the “wall,” but characters don’t.

Answer 24

The Fourth Wall

Question 25

comedy that satirizes the behavior/actions of society (particularly the upper class social elite).

Answer 25

Comedy of Manners

Question 26

a genre of dramatic comedy which focuses on a character who exhibits two or more dominant personality traits.

Answer 26

Comedy of Humors

Question 27

very enthusiastic, talkative, optimistic, and social (ex: Daisy Buchanan)

Answer 27

Sanguine Personality/Character Type

Question 28

driven, quick-thinking, practical, strong-willed (Jack from LotF.)

Answer 28

Choleric Personality/Character Type

Question 29

easy-going, stoic, stable (Jim Halpert)

Answer 29

Phlegmatic Personality/Character Type

Question 30

analytical, thoughtful, reserved, serious, moody, pessimistic (Eeyore)

Answer 30

Melancholic