Drama vocabs

Question 1

Prologue

Answer 1

Opening section of a drama in which the subject of the text is introduced

Question 2

Scene

Answer 2

A subdivision of an act of drama, usually concsisting of unity of time, place and action

Question 3

The Wings

Answer 3

The area at either side of the stage that cannor be scene by the audience

Question 4

Comedy

Answer 4

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

Question 5

The Heavens

Answer 5

A kind of roof above the stage which was decorated with stars, the moon, the sun, etc.

Question 6

Yard (pit)

Answer 6

The area in the Globe Theatre where several hundreds of spectators were standing during the performance. The tickets for this area were very cheap

Question 7

Stage directions

Answer 7

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

Question 8

The Hell

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Act

Answer 9

The major division of a drama into different units

Question 10

Iambic pentameter

Answer 10

A line of poetry consisting of 10 syllables the first unstressed, the second stressed and so on, giving the line 5 main beats

Question 11

Romance

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Monologue

Answer 12

An extended speech delivered by a character who is addressing other characters on the stage

Question 13

Upstage

Answer 13

The area at or towards the back of the stage

Question 14

Soliloquy

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Epilogue

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Stage

Answer 16

A raised area in a theatre where the actors perform

Question 17

Tragedy

Answer 17

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)

Question 18

Downstage

Answer 18

The area at or towards the front of the stage

Question 19

Aside

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Exit/exeunt

Answer 20

A note in the stage directions indicating that one or several characters leave the stage

Question 21

History

Answer 21

A type of drama based on recorded history rather than on myth or legend.