English Vocab Drama

Question 1

A major division of a play, often marking a change in time, setting, or plot development

Answer 1

. Act

Question 2

A literary flashback that shows events from an earlier time to provide background or context

Answer 2

Analepsis

Question 3

The part of the stage that extends in front of the main curtain.

Answer 3

Apron

Question 4

A brief remark by a character meant to be heard by the audience but not by the other characters

Answer 4

. Aside

Question 5

The group of people who watch and experience a performance

Answer 5

. Audience

Question 6

Humor that is lewd or risqué, often involving sexual innuendo

Answer 6

. Bawdy

Question 7

Unrhymed iambic pentameter, often used in Shakespearean drama

Answer 7

Blank verse

Question 8

The emotional release felt by the audience after the climax of a tragedy.

Answer 8

Catharsis

Question 9

A group of performers who comment on the main action, often speaking in unison.

Answer 9

Chorus

Question 10

A play that is humorous and often ends happily, in Shakespeare’s plays often with a wedding.

Answer 10

Comedy

Question 11

A sudden and unexpected solution to a seemingly unsolvable problem

Answer 11

Deus ex machina

Question 12

The choice and use of words in speech or writing; in drama, how a character speaks.

Answer 12

Diction

Question 13

The person responsible for interpreting a play’s script and guiding the creative vision of the production.

Answer 13

Director

Question 14

When a character changes their appearance or identity.

Answer 14

Disguise

Question 15

When the audience knows something the characters do not, creating tension or humor.

Answer 15

Dramatic irony

Question 16

When a character secretly listens to another’s conversation.

Answer 16

Eavesdropping

Question 17

The omission of words, often represented by ‘…’ or implied in performance

Answer 17

Ellipsis

Question 18

Stage directions indicating that one (exit) or more (exeunt) characters leave the stage.

Answer 18

Exit/exeunt

Question 19

A comedic style featuring exaggerated characters, improbable situations, and physical humor.

Answer 19

Farce

Question 20

A scene set in a time earlier than the main story to provide context.

Answer 20

Flashback

Question 21

A scene that jumps ahead in time to show events that occur later in the story

Answer 21

Flashforward

Question 22

A character who contrasts with another to highlight particular traits.

Answer 22

Foil

Question 23

A feeling or indication that something bad is going to happen

Answer 23

Foreboding

Question 24

Hints or clues about events that will occur later in the plot

Answer 24

Foreshadowing

Question 25

The imaginary barrier between the actors and the audience; breaking it means addressing or acknowledging the audience.

Answer 25

Fourth wall

Question 26

A fatal flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero

Answer 26

Hamartia

Question 27

Excessive pride or arrogance, often leading to a character's downfall

Answer 27

Hubris

Question 28

Starting a story in the middle of the action rather than at the beginning.

Answer 28

In medias res

Question 29

Off to the sides of the stage, where actors wait to enter.

Answer 29

In the wings

Question 30

A contrast between expectation and reality, often used for humor or dramatic effect; saying the opposite of what is meant.

Answer 30

Irony

Question 31

A character who supports the plot or main characters but is not central to the story.

Answer 31

Minor character

Question 32

Events or actions that occur out of the audience's sight, often implied or reported by characters.

Answer 32

Off-stage

Question 33

When a character unintentionally hears a conversation, usually leading to plot complications.

Answer 33

Overhearing

Question 34

A typical model or pattern.

Answer 34

Paradigm

Question 35

To act out a role in front of an audience

Answer 35

Perform

Question 36

A written script intended to be performed on stage

Answer 36

Play

Question 37

The author of a play

Answer 37

Playwright

Question 38

The sequence of events that make up the story of a play.

Answer 38

Plot

Question 39

These are physical objects used by actors on stage.

Answer 39

Props

Question 40

The arch that frames the front of the stage

Answer 40

Proscenium arch

Question 41

Ordinary written or spoken language, without the structured meter of verse

Answer 41

Prose

Question 42

Practice sessions where actors and the director prepare for a performance.

Answer 42

Rehearsal

Question 43

The physical environment on stage, including backgrounds and built structures

Answer 43

Scenery

Question 44

The physical arrangement of scenery and props on stage

Answer 44

Set

Question 45

The time and place where the play's action occurs

Answer 45

Setting

Question 46

When two or more characters share a single verse line.

Answer 46

Shared lines

Question 47

A form of physical comedy involving exaggerated movements, mishaps, or violence.

Answer 47

Slapstick

Question 48

A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts

Answer 48

Soliloquy

Question 49

Any spoken words by a character, whether long or short

Answer 49

Speech

Question 50

The platform where actors perform

Answer 50

Stage

Question 51

Instructions in the script about movement, setting, or tone, usually not spoken aloud.

Answer 51

Stage directions

Question 52

The technical aspects of theatre production, including lighting, sound, set design, and costume.

Answer 52

Stagecraft

Question 53

Rapid, back-and-forth dialogue, often used in tense or argumentative scenes

Answer 53

Stichomythia

Question 54

A stereotypical character such as the evil villain or innocent damsel in distress.

Answer 54

Stock character

Question 55

A secondary storyline that supports or contrasts with the main plot.

Answer 55

Sub-plot

Question 56

A drama where the protagonist suffers a downfall due to a flaw or fate, often ending in death or ruin.

Answer 56

Tragedy

Question 57

Writing with rhythm and sometimes rhyme; the opposite of prose.

Answer 57

Verse