English-Drama

Question 1

Dialogue

Answer 1

Spoken interaction between two or more characters.

Question 2

Plot

Answer 2

The artful arrangement of incidents in a story, with each incident building on the next in a series of causes and effects.

Question 3

Protagonist

Answer 3

The main figure (or principal actor) in a work of literature.

Question 4

Antagonist

Answer 4

A character in conflict with the protagonist

Question 5

Conflict

Answer 5

The central problem in a story.

Question 6

Deus ex Machina

Answer 6

Intervention of forces extraneous to the story

Conflict is resolved by unforeseen and far fetched means.

Question 7

Soliloquy

Answer 7

A monologue delivered by a character in a play who is alone onstage.

When a character reveals his/her thoughts to the audience.

Question 8

Aside

Answer 8

In drama, a remark made by an actor to the audience, which the other characters do not hear. This convention is sometimes discernable in fiction writing, when the narrator breaks the flow to make a remark directly to the reader.

Question 9

Hamartia

Answer 9

A tragic flaw or weakness in a tragic character that leads to his or her downfall.

Question 10

Hubris

Answer 10

A type of hamartia.

Excessive arrogance or pride. Usually was the hero’s tragic flaw leading to downfall.

Question 11

Foil

Answer 11

A character who contrasts with the central character, often with the purpose of emphasizing some trait in the central character.

For example, a cruel sister emphasizes the other sister’s kindness.

Question 12

Dramatic Irony

Answer 12

A situation in which an author or narrator lets the reader know more about a situation than a character does.

Reader knows more about a situation than the character does.

Question 13

Peripeteia (reversal)

Answer 13

An element of Greek tragedy. Occurs when an action has the opposite result of what was intended.

In tragedy, this occurs at a turning point for the hero and signals his downfall.

Question 14

Anagnorisis (recognition)

Answer 14

In tragedy, a change from ignorance to knowledge, producing love or hate between the persons destined by the poet for good or bad fortune.

Question 15

Catharsis (purgation)

Answer 15

The purging of emotions which the audience experiences as a result of the powerful climax of a classical tragedy.

The sense of relief and renewal experienced through art.

Question 16

Realism

Answer 16

A mode of literature in which the author depicts characters and scenarios that could occur in real life.

Question 17

Tragedy

Answer 17

A dramatic form in which characters face serious and important challenges that end in disastrous failure or defeat for the protagonist.

Question 18

Comedy

Answer 18

A type of drama that deals with light or humorous subject matter and usually includes a happy ending.

Question 19

Melodrama

Answer 19

A literary work, mainly a stage play, movie, or television play or show in which characters display exaggerated emotions and the plot takes sensational turns, sometimes accompanied by music intended to lead the audience’s feelings.

Question 20

Farce

Answer 20

A work or drama or literature that uses broad, often physical comedy, exaggerated characters, absurd situations, and improbably plot twists to evoke laughter without intending social criticism.

Question 21

Chorus

Answer 21

A group of amateurs and trained actors who participated in traditional Greek plays. They represent a group of citizens with worries and questions, expressed in poetry and music and dance movement.

Question 22

Naturalistic Theater

Answer 22

Drama that shines a light on the painful realities and problems of everyday life.