Dramatic Elements Flashcards
writing that is meant to be performed by actors for an audience
drama/play
speeches, often short, made to the audience or to himself, or even to another character, but out of earshot of the other characters on stage
aside
a long speech that reveals a character’s true thoughts or feelings, unheard by other characters, usually while alone on stage
soliloquy
lengthy speech that one character addresses to others on stage
monologue
conversation between two or more characters
dialogue
a speech at the beginning of the play that usually introduces the subject matter of the drama
prologue
a character who by contrasts illuminates the hero’s qualities
foil
a writer or speaker says one thing, but really means something completely different
verbal irony
a play on the multiple meanings of a word, or on two words that sound alike but have different meanings
pun
a speech, usually offered in verse, in which an actor addresses the audience at the end of the play
epilogue
literally “in the middle of things,” occurs when a story or a scene begins in the middle of things before the plot has been laid out
in media res
comic episodes in a dramatic or literary work that offset more serious sections
comic relief
a humorous play with a happy ending
comedy
the hero suffers a major downfall due to some weakness or flaw
tragedy
a MAJOR division within a play, much like chapters in a novel
act
the divisions within an ACT
scene
italicized comments that identify the setting, props or costumes, or more information about character and how he moves or says a line
stage directions
a protagonist/noble character who has a personal flaw that leads to his or her downfall
tragic hero
the character/personality defect that causes the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy - Hamartia
tragic flaw
a literary reference to a well-known work of art, music, history or literature - usually Greek/Roman mythology or the Judeo-Christian Bible
allusion
in a tragedy, a break in the seriousness for a moment of comedy or silliness (often servant class create this)
comic relief
a 10 syllable line divided into five iambic feet
iambic pentameter
a figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase
oxymoron
