Dramatic Devices Flashcards
Scene
A small unit of a play in which there is no shift of locale or time.
Act
A main division of a drama
Aside
A brief remark made by a character that is intended to heard by the audience but not by the other characters.
Irony
A contrast between what is and what appears to be.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that comparing two unlike things that are essentially alike in some way.
Foreshadowing
A hint of what is to come in a story.
Comic relief
A humorous scene or speech in serious drama that is meant to provide a relief from emotional intensity.
Foil / antagonist
A character who contrasts and parallels the main character in a story.
Metonymy
A type of metaphor in which something closely associated with a subject is substituted for it ( the crown = the king ).
Imagery
Words or phrases that appeal to the five senses
Simile
A figure of speech comparing two essentially unlike things which are alike in one aspect ; uses like or as.
Soliloquy
A speech given by a character alone on stage to let the audience know what the character is thinking or feeling.
Paradox
A statement which seems to be contradictory but at the same time profoundly logical.
Tragedy
A type of drama of human conflict which ends in defeat and suffering.
Atmosphere
The tone or mood established by events, places and situations.
Tragic flaw
Weakness of character or wrong judgment which leads to the destruction of a noble character.
Tragic hero
Main character who is dignified and noble has a tragic flaw which leads to his or her destruction. Sometimes the conflict is with forces beyond control of the character.
Alliteration
The repetition of the same initial sound in tow or more consecutive or closely associated words «with witchcraft of his wit».
