Exam 1

Question 1

Aristotle

Answer 1

Ancient Greek philosopher and father of dramatic criticism, considered tragedy and comedy not as genres.

Question 2

Catharsis

Answer 2

The “purging” or “cleansing” of terror and pity, which the audience develops during the climax of a tragedy.

Question 3

Climax

Answer 3

the point of highest tension in a play

Question 4

Comedy

Answer 4

a funny play; a play with some humor

Question 5

Dénouement

Answer 5

final scene or scenes in a play devoted to trying up loose ends

Question 6

Diction

Answer 6

Aristotle’s 4th component, relates to the literary character of a play’s text, including its tone, imagery, cadence, and articulation and forms of speech.

Question 7

Exposition

Answer 7

In play construction, the conveyance through dialogue of story events that have occurred before the play begins.

Question 8

Genre

Answer 8

A French noun meaning “kind.” Used to specify a particular class or category of a play.

Question 9

Plot

Answer 9

The events of a play, in general, the story of the play

Question 10

Inciting Incident

Answer 10

introduces the major conflict of the play, the suspense plot

Question 11

Protagonist

Answer 11

the principle character often opposed by an antagonist

Question 12

Spectacle

Answer 12

Aristotle’s 6th component, encompasses the visual aspects of production; scenery, costumes, lightning, make up, properties, and the overall look of the theatre and stage.

Question 13

Tragedy

Answer 13

From the Greek “goat song,” originally meant a serious play