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
