Dramatic Terms Flashcards
Antithesis
When two opposite things are used in a sentence to form a contrast. It’s used to highlight conflicting or opposing ideas in the characters language
Aside
Remark the audience is supposed to hear but not heard by other characters on stage
Dramatic irony
Where the audience or characters on stage have information or knowledge the other character(s) do(es) not
Hyperbole
Using exaggerated, over the top language for dramatic effect
Imagery
Using words or phrases to create pictures in our mind. In a play it can tell us about a character, create a certain mood/atmosphere or reinforce certain themes
Lists
Groups of words or phrases used by characters to achieve certain dramatic effects.
Oxymoron
Figure of speech which uses opposites to achieve a certain effect
Soliloquy
The act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself, or regardless of anyone listening, especially by characters in a play
Sonnet
14 line poem, typically with 10 syllables per line
What dramatic techniques are used in Romeo & Juliet?
Soliloquy Oxymoron Asides Dramatic irony Prologue Antithesis Hyperbole Lists
Give an example of soliloquy in Romeo & Juliet
Juliet in the Balcony Scene
Potion Scene
Give an example of oxymoron in Romeo & Juliet
“Loving hate”, “Cold fire” (Romeo, act 1, Scene 1)
Give an example of dramatic irony in Romeo & Juliet
When Romeo kills himself because he thinks Juliet is dead, when we know she isn’t
What is the purpose of the prologue in Romeo & Juliet?
To create interest
Give an example of an antithesis in Romeo & Juliet
“My grave is like to be my wedding bed” (Juliet, Act 1, Scene 5)
Give an example of an hyperbole in Romeo & Juliet
Act 3, Scene 2, Romeo says Juliet’s eyes shine so brightly birds would think it was day
Give an example of an lists in Romeo & Juliet
(Act 4, Scene 1) Juliet lists all the things she would rather do than marry Paris. Very dramatic
Catastrophe
Action at the end of a play that initiates the denouement or falling action of a play
Catharsis
Purging of feeling of pity and fear that, according to Aristotle, occur in the audience of a tragic drama. The audience experience catharsis at the end of a play, following catastrophe
Chorus
A group of characters in Greek tragedy (and later forms of drama), who comment on the action of a play without participation in it
Comedy
A type of drama where characters experience reversals of fortune, usually for the better. In a comedy, things work out happily in the end
Comic relief
The use of a comic scene to interrupt a succession of intensely tragic dramatic moments
Exposition
The first stage of a fictional/dramatic plot, in which necessary background information is provided
Fourth wall
And imaginary wall of a box theatre setting, supposedly removed to allow the audience to see the action
Dramatic irony
When a character speaks in ignorance of a situation or event known to the audience/other characters
Pathos
Equality of a play’s action that stimulates the audience to feel pity for the character. It is always an aspect of a tragedy, and maybe a comedy
Props
Articles or objects that appear on stage during the play
Stage direction
The playwrights descriptive/interpretive comments that provide readers (and the audience) with information about the dialogue, setting and action
Staging
How the play is presented; including the position of actors on stage, scenic backgrounds, props and costumes, lighting and sound effects