Drama Terms Flashcards
Antagonist
opposes the protagonist
Act
division of a play
aside
a remark by a character only heard by the audience
catharsis
“purging of emotion”- any extreme change in emotion that results in renewal and restoration.
Character (dynamic, flat, round, static, stock)
Roles
Dynamic: experiences an inner change
Flat: 2-dimensional, support character
Round- Complex personality
Static- stays constant over course of text, does not change
Stock– common literary character or stereotype
climax
the peak of action in the book, usually a turning point
see plot diagram
comic relief
inclusion of humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work (relieves tension)
conflict
(see plot diagram)
Denouement
the resolution
see plot diagram
deus ex machina
“god from machine”- a contrived plot device
epilogue
short poem or speech spoken directly to audience after the action of the play is finished
exposition
(see plot diagram)
falling action
(see plot diagram)
foil
contrasting character used to highlight particular qualities of the other character (usually a main character)
hero
main character, often with heroic qualities
Verbal Irony
when a person says one thing but means the opposite
Dramatic Irony
D- when the audience knows something that the characters do not
Situational Irony
S- a situation in which the outcome is different than what is expected
monologue
a speech given by an actor on stage, usually when alone
prologue
a separate introductory section of a play
protagonist
main character
Rising action
(see plot diagram)
scene
division of acts
soliloquy
a speech given by an actor alone on stage– reveals character’s inner thoughts/feelings
tragedy
When main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, often as a result of tragic flaw
Tragic flaw/Hamartia
a flaw that brings main character to ruin (often pride)
pun
a play on words– when words sound alike but have different meanings
malapropism
mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often unintentionally amusing
