Midsummer Night's Dream terms

Question 1

Couplet

Answer 1

A pair of lines in poetry, usually having complementary attributes–e.g. rhyme or meter

Question 2

Hamartia

Answer 2

In tragedy, hamartia is the protagonists’ error or flaw that leads to a chain of plot actions culminating in a reversal from his/her good fortune to bad. (e.g. Macbeth)

Question 3

Peripeteia

Answer 3

A sudden or unexpected reversal of circumstances or situation, usually the turning point.

Question 4

Paradox

Answer 4

Something that seems to be two opposite or contradictory things that seems impossible but still has a nugget of truth.

Question 5

Chorus

Answer 5

A group of actors who comment on the main events of a play with song, dance, and recital (narrator). e.g. Romeo and Juliet

Question 6

Aside

Answer 6

A remark or comment, often witty, that is addressed purely to the audience with the understanding that the characters in the play do not hear it. (e.g. Puck)

Question 7

Allusion

Answer 7

a reference to a subject matter such as an external place, event, or literary work. Usually something well-known requiring logic or work on the audience’s part.

Question 8

Prologue

Answer 8

An introductory scene before the first act of a play, opera, theatre, etc. A speech that calls attention to the main theme of the play. “the story before the story” (e.g. Romeo and Juliet)

Question 9

Apostrophe

Answer 9

A writer/speaker detaches from reality and speaks to an imaginary character or abstract personification in a speech, who isn’t physically present. (e.g. Macbeth – Is that a dagger I see before me?)

Question 10

Hubris

Answer 10

Over-confidence or excessive pride. (in Greek tragedy, an attempt to be godlike)

Question 11

Comic Relief

Answer 11

A funny or amusing scene, incident, or speech, put into a serious or tragic play, to temporarily relieve tension.

Question 12

Verbal Irony

Answer 12

Irony when there is a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant. Sarcasm.

Question 13

Situational Irony

Answer 13

Irony in which the effect of actions is opposite from intended, so the results are contrary as well. e.g. plot twist

Question 14

Dramatic Irony

Answer 14

Irony that is inherent in a speech or situation of drama and is understood by the audience but not by the characters (when the audience knows more than the characters) e.g. Hamlet

Question 15

Soliloquy

Answer 15

A speech by a character who is talking to him/herself, unaware that others are present. This is used to show the character’s innermost thoughts. (e.g. Hamlet – To be or not to be…)

Question 16

Iambic Pentameter

Answer 16

a meter of 5 iambs per line (unstressed, stressed)

Question 17

Blank Verse

Answer 17

Unrhymed verse having a steady meter, most commonly iambic pentameter.

Question 18

Drama

Answer 18

A situation or succession of events that is highly emotional, tragic, or turbulent, greatly anticipated. A work that is to be performed by actors on a stage.

Question 19

Act

Answer 19

One of the main divisions of a play defined by elements such as rising action, climax, and resolution. Collection of scenes.

Question 20

Scene

Answer 20

A part of an act where the action takes place at the same place without a break in time.

Question 21

Line

Answer 21

A sentence or shortest section of dialogue in a play.

Question 22

Comedy

Answer 22

A play, book, film, etc. that is has a lighthearted tone/style and usually begins with a death and ends in marriage. (romance is a subdivision) e.g. As You Like It

Question 23

Tragedy

Answer 23

A serious play typically dealing with a protagonists’ problems, leading to their downfall usually by fate or a fatal flaw. Hamartia caused by hubris, with peripeteia.