Drama Terms

Question 0

Allusion

Answer 0

Reference to a previous piece of literature or history or mythological event

Question 1

Act

Answer 1

The major division within a play

Question 2

Aside

Answer 2

Short stage whisper

Question 3

Comic relief

Answer 3

Relieve tension

Question 4

Denouement

Answer 4

Unraveling of the plot

Question 5

Direct presentation

Answer 5

To Lear about the character from what the author says

Question 6

Dues ex machina

Answer 6

Plot manipulation for a happy ending

Question 7

Climax

Answer 7

The point of most intense action

Question 8

Epilogue

Answer 8

Speech or song made after the curtains close

Question 9

Exposition

Answer 9

Section where the reader learns about characters and setting

Question 10

Farce

Answer 10

Making fun of contemporary life

Question 11

Indirect presentation

Answer 11

To learn about character from what other day and what he/she does

Question 12

In media res

Answer 12

Beginning on the middle of a situation

Question 13

Motivation

Answer 13

What makes a character do what he does

Question 14

Oxymoron

Answer 14

Contradiction in terms (side by side)

Question 15

Catharsis

Answer 15

Release of emotions by someone else’s tragedy

Question 16

Prologue

Answer 16

A speech or song before the curtains open

Question 17

Poetic justice

Answer 17

A character gets what he deserves

Question 18

Scene

Answer 18

Minor division in a play