Drama vocabs Flashcards
Prologue
Opening section of a drama in which the subject of the text is introduced
Scene
A subdivision of an act of drama, usually concsisting of unity of time, place and action
The Wings
The area at either side of the stage that cannor be scene by the audience
Comedy
A funny or humurous type od drama which is mainly concerened with ordinary people; according to an old definition this type of drama begins with misfortune and ends with joy
The Heavens
A kind of roof above the stage which was decorated with stars, the moon, the sun, etc.
Yard (pit)
The area in the Globe Theatre where several hundreds of spectators were standing during the performance. The tickets for this area were very cheap
Stage directions
A playwright’s notes in a drama which give information about how a drama is to be performed. They may deal with setting, the scenery, the characters’ appearance, movements, tone of speaking, etc. This text is not spoken
The Hell
The area under the stage, concealed from the spectators eyes by a thick curtain. On the GLobe stage was a trap door leading down to this area. The characters who died in the course of the action could leave the stage
Act
The major division of a drama into different units
Iambic pentameter
A line of poetry consisting of 10 syllables the first unstressed, the second stressed and so on, giving the line 5 main beats
Romance
A type of drama which is principally a form of entertainment. It is usually concerened with characters who live in a courtly world somewhat remote from the everyday. This suggestst elements of fantasy, extravagance, love myth.
Monologue
An extended speech delivered by a character who is addressing other characters on the stage
Upstage
The area at or towards the back of the stage
Soliloquy
A speech delivered by one character who is on stage alone. It is used to reveal a character’s thoughts, feelings or motives to the audience
Epilogue
Concluding section of a drama, giving a short speech that makes graceful or witty comments on what has happened; pointing out a moral; sometimes added as a summary, but more often as an afterthought
Stage
A raised area in a theatre where the actors perform
Tragedy
A serious type of drama that is mainly concentrated with kings or people of importance, it begins with joy and ends sadly, usually with the death of the main character(s)
Downstage
The area at or towards the front of the stage
Aside
Words spoken by a character on the stage in the presence of other characters; the idea is that the audience is supposed to hear these word by not the other characters; in this way the character who is speaking can reveal their thoughts’ intentions or comment on the action
Exit/exeunt
A note in the stage directions indicating that one or several characters leave the stage
History
A type of drama based on recorded history rather than on myth or legend.
