Drama Terms

Question 1

an indirect reference to another literary work or to a famous person, place, or event?

Answer 1

allusion

Question 2

unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter?

Answer 2

blank Verse

Question 3

a speech that a character gives when he or she is alone on stage: its purpose is to let the audience know what the character is thinking.

Answer 3

soliloquy

Question 4

a character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character, that others on the stage are not supposed to hear

Answer 4

aside

Question 5

a humorous scene, incident, or speech that is included in a serious drama to provide a change from emotional intensity

Answer 5

comic relief

Question 6

in drama, an extended uninterrupted speech by one person on stage addressed to other characters

Answer 6

monologue

Question 7

a character who provides a striking contrast to another character, which can call attention to certain traits possessed by a main character or simply enhance a character by contrast

Answer 7

foil

Question 8

a joke that comes from a play on words; can make use of a word’s multiple meanings or a word’s rhyme

Answer 8

pun

Question 9

a dramatic work that presents the downfall or misfortune of a character of noble stature, usually resulting in his/her death.

Answer 9

tragedy

Question 10

a metrical line of five feet, or units, each of which is made up of two syllables, the first unstressed and the second stressed

Answer 10

iambic pentameter

Question 11

personality defect that contributes to the hero’s choices, and thus to his or her downfall

Answer 11

tragic flaw