Introduction to Shakespeare Flashcards
tragedy
a work of literature resulting in catastrophe for main character (tragic hero)
motives
guide actor’s thoughts/actions; hero suffers tragic fate
blank verse
unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter
comedy
a literary work, esp. play, with a happy ending
no one dies!
soliloquy
lengthy speech in which character (usually alone on stage) expresses true feelings/thoughts, unheard by other characters, but overheard by audience ONLY
aside
character revealing true thoughts/feelings in a remark unheard by other characters
always dramatic irony
monologue
lengthy speech by one character, addressed to other characters
dramatic foil/foil
character providing contrast to other character
Benvolio [calm] and Tybalt [hot-headed] (R & J)
dramatic irony
contradiction between character’s thoughts and what the audience knows to be true
engages audience
dialogue
conversation between characters
follows name of speaker
Juliet. O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
comic relief
introduction of humorous character/situation in an otherwise tragic scene
puns
plays on words using a word with multiple meanings
Romeo. …dancing shoes. With nimble soles. I have a soul of lead…
staging
notes in play describing how work should be performed
[Enter BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO]
