Dramatic Devices Flashcards
Basically the speaking of the actors throughout the play
Dialogue
Usually italicized and put within brackets scattered throughout the text.
Stage Directions
A playwright will often describe the placement of furniture; the size, shape and color of the props, even the style and the color of the costumes worn by the character. Basically the background and where the story takes place.
Setting
The use of irony, sarcasm, and ridicule. Or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. It is usually a mockery on trivial issues or people
Satire
Used in order to interpret the satire in a play. A mocking tone. It’s a way for the playwright to make fun of a character and their faults and how the mood of the play is set.
Satirical Tone
Refers to the way the play is put together, the sequencing and pacing of the action.
Dramatic Form
Must be placed so the audience quickly develops interest in the characters and situation of the play.
Action
The main structure of the play, the sequence of the events in the play, following a basic structure.
Plot
A secondary arrangement of incidents involving secondary characters who are involved in a situation posing dramatic questions.
Subplot
The section that begins the play, introducing the characters and providing background information.
Exposition
The incident that provides the starting point for the main action in the play. The problem is presented to see what needs to be solved quickly.
Dramatic Incitement
The question that must be answered.
Dramatic Question
Usually forms the main action of the play. The characters respond to the dramatic incitement and other developments that may stem from it. Can also be referred to as conflict, trigger or rising action
Complication
Occurs late into the play, and is the moment where the dramatic question is answered. The turning point for the main character.
Climax/Crisis
The final section of the play where things are worked out and a conclusion is reached.
Resolution/Denouement
A serious play dramatizing the disastrous downfall of its main characters.
Tragedy
Crucial for tragedies. Allows the audience to vent out their emotions and achieve purification for the audience. This is done by presenting incidents that arouse fear and pity.
Catharsis
Excessive pride or self confidence, the tragic flaw of the main character.
Hubris
A source of harm or ruin brought on an individual who deserves it by the gods. It cannot be overcome or beaten.
Divine retribution/nemesis
Is a play chiefly to amuse and entertain the audience members by allowing them to feel a sense of superiority over the characters. Usually represents common human problems and always ends with a happy ending.
Comedy
A play that combines the elements of tragedy and comedy. The play provides a happy ending to a potentially tragic story or it may contain serious or light moods.
Tragicomedy
A form of sensational drama that became popular in the 1800s and is often seen in TV and movies today. Provides audience with an exaggerated but simplistic conflict and one-dimensional characters.
Melodrama
Has an enormous impact on the audience’s understanding of the characters, moods and overall play.
Language
Elevated and detailed language
Formal Language
A type of language using slang and colloquialisms, employing the conventions of spoken language. A casual figure of speech
Informal Language
A variety of a language distinguished from other varieties of the same language by features of phonology, grammar and vocabulary. Comes through differences in geography, society, culture, education, etc. An accent.
Dialect
The ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, is distinguished from poetry of verse. Most common choice for a playwright.
Prose
A succession of metrical feet written, printed or orally composed as one line; one of the lines in a poem. Can be used for dramatic effect.
Verse
How quickly or slowly a line is delivered. The flow of the overall play and creates tension for the climax.
Pace
The emotion given when dialogue is spoken.
Tone
A stage whisper or behind-the-hand comment. May be directed towards another character or the audience. Tends to be short single sentences and sometimes used for comedic effect.
Aside
Provides audience with a character’s inner thoughts and feeling which is presented through a character’s LONG SPEECH ALONE ON STAGE.
Soliloquy
When the audience knows more than what the characters know.
Dramatic Irony
The unity of action, place and time.
The Unities
The audience reads into the meaning that is not directly stated.
Inference
The final dress rehearsal requiring complete memorization, and all resources.
Full Production
How the characters plan to move on stage (see also: stage direction).
Blocking
Tragic Resolution
Catastrophe
Performer(s) who stand outside the action and comment on the events/characters in the play, often hinting at the doom to come and stressing the fatalistic aspect of the hero’s downfall (narrators).
Chorus
Fatal error in judgement or weakness of a character, that leads directly to that character’s downfall.
Tragic Flaw
A light, mildly humorous scene, following a serious one.
Comic Relief
Main character in a tragedy, generally a person of high social status, who comes to an unhappy end.
Tragic Hero
When the Unities are messed up or not in accordance with each other.
Anachronism
