Twelfth Night Context - Comedy and Shakespeare Flashcards
What are key features of Shakespearean tragedies?
- tragic hero
- hamartia
- good vs evil
- the supernatural
What are key features of Shakespearean histories?
- large cast of characters
- conspiracy
- fighting
- subplots
- decisive onstage battle
What are key features of Shakespearean comedies?
- love and marriage
- mistaken identity/misconceptions
- idyllic setting
- disguise and gender
- fools
- fate and fantasy
- happy ending
Define comedy of manners.
A play that gives a satirical portrayal of behaviour in a particular social group.
Define satire.
A literary device that uses humour and jokes to make a statement about a person’s ideals.
Define folly.
Lack of sense/ foolishness - shown through characters’ misunderstandings.
Define charade.
A word represented in riddling verse or by picture, tableau or dramatic action.
Define caricature.
Exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics.
Define farce.
A comic dramatic piece that uses highly improbable situations and stereotyped characters.
Define slapstick.
Physical comedy characterised by broad humour, absurd situations and vigorous, usually violent action.
Define parody.
Drama which imitates the style of a well-known person or represents a familiar situation in an exaggerated way.
Define black comedy.
Comedic style which makes fun out of ordinarily taboo subjects.
Define lampoon.
Harsh satire directed against an individual.
Define soliloquy.
Uninterrupted speech by one character.
Define aside.
When a character speaks directly to the audience while other dialogue takes place.
