Drama Terms Flashcards
Agon
A conflict, especially between the protagonist and antagonist in literature; the part of an ancient Greek drama, in which two characters engage in verbal dispute.
eg Stanley and Blanche
Anagnorisis
The protagonist’s recognition of his / her mistakes, or of an essential truth, at the point at which it is too late.
eg Blanche before being taken away
Antagonist
One who opposes and contends against another, an adversary; the principal character in opposition to the protagonist or hero of a drama.
Aside
Words spoken by an actor directly to the audience, which are not ‘heard’ by the other characters on stage during a play
Brechtian Theatre
Employed techniques that remind the spectator that the play is constructed, a representation of reality, not reality itself. By highlighting the constructed nature of the theatrical event, Brecht hoped to communicate that the audience’s reality was equally constructed and, as such, was changeable
eg Top Girls
Catharsis
An emotional reaction amongst the audience to the fate of the protagonist which purges one’s emotions of pity and fear
Climax
Follows the rising action - the point of greatest interest and the turning point of the play
Comic relief
A moment which lightens the mood in a more serious play, briefly relieving tension
Denouement
Follows the falling action - the resolution of the play
Deux et machine
The introduction of an unexpected or improbably character (god, ghosts) or event that leads to a solution to a dramatic problem
eg Ghost King Hamlet
Dialogue
The words spoken aloud between two or more characters
Digetic sound
Sound in the scene which characters and audience can hear
Double Entendre
Where a character says one thing but intends or implies another additional meaning
Dramatic Irony
A situation where the audience knows something that the characters do not eg Ernest
Dramatis personae
Latin for the characters or persons in a play
Exposition
The opening of a play where the main characters and the world of the play are established
Falling Action
Follows the climax - the resulting action of the climax
Fatal Flaw
A weakness within a character, a trait, which leads to his or her downfall
Foil
A character who contrasts and parallels the main character in a play or story
Hamartia
An act or action committed by a character which leads to his or her downfall eg Blanche dolling up the truth
Hubris
Excessive pride or confidence in a character
Monologue
Long speeches spoken by a single character in the presence of other characters
Non digetic Sound
Sound added for atmosphere which only the audience, not the characters, can hear
Pathos
A quality of a play’s action that stimulates the audience to feel pity for a character. Pathos is always an aspect of tragedy, and may be present in comedy as well
Peripeteia
A reversal of fortune; often the downfall of a high status character with great potential
Plastic Theatre
The use of props, noises and/or stage directions to convey a blatent parallel with the characters’ states of mind on stage eg Streetcar Named Desire
Protagonist
The main character in a drama or other literary work
Rhetoric
Skill in using language effectively and persuasively
Rising Action
Follows the exposition. Establishes the conflict(s) of the play
Soliloquy
Long speeches spoken by a single character alone on stage
Stichomythia
Line for line exchange between two actors
