Drama Literary Terms for Study

Drama A work of literature written to be performed on a stage by actors A work of literature written to be performed on a stage by actors Will contain certain elements including characters, acts scenes, and stage directions Will contain certain elements including characters, acts scenes, and stage directions

Acts Major divisions of a play Major divisions of a play Divides the play into segments of time Divides the play into segments of time

Scenes Minor divisions of a play Minor divisions of a play Divides the play action by location Divides the play action by location Scenes within the same act are often happening at the same time in different places Scenes within the same act are often happening at the same time in different places

Blank Verse Unrhyming lines of iambic pentameter Unrhyming lines of iambic pentameter The majority of Romeo and Juliet is written this way The majority of Romeo and Juliet is written this way Indicates when “regular people” are speaking Indicates when “regular people” are speaking Highlights parts of the play that rhyme to bring emphasis Highlights parts of the play that rhyme to bring emphasis

Dramatic Foil A character in a play who sets off the main character or other characters by comparison. A character in a play who sets off the main character or other characters by comparison. Character’s are complete opposites Character’s are complete opposites Make the opposing character seem extreme Make the opposing character seem extreme

Monologue A long uninterrupted speech given by one character to the other characters on the stage A long uninterrupted speech given by one character to the other characters on the stage Basically the character is lecturing the other characters Basically the character is lecturing the other characters

Stage Directions Directions set off in brackets, parenthesis, or italics that give the actors direction as to how to act, dress, or how to move Directions set off in brackets, parenthesis, or italics that give the actors direction as to how to act, dress, or how to move May include important details about characters and settings May include important details about characters and settings

Aside A device in which a character in a drama makes a short speech which is heard by the audience but not by other characters in the play A device in which a character in a drama makes a short speech which is heard by the audience but not by other characters in the play Used to let the audience “hear” the character’s inner thoughts Used to let the audience “hear” the character’s inner thoughts Used on Malcolm in the Middle and Bernie Mac Show Used on Malcolm in the Middle and Bernie Mac Show

Prologue An introduction that gives important information before the story begins An introduction that gives important information before the story begins In R+J, there are prologues for Acts 1 and 2 that summarize the situation and hint at what is to come. In R+J, there are prologues for Acts 1 and 2 that summarize the situation and hint at what is to come.

Tragic Flaw A defect in the character’s personality that leads to his/her downfall A defect in the character’s personality that leads to his/her downfall Examples: Examples: Odysseus-pride Odysseus-pride Romeo-rashness Romeo-rashness

Soliloquy A speech given by a character while alone on the stage A speech given by a character while alone on the stage A “solo” A “solo” Used to let us know the character’s inner feelings Used to let us know the character’s inner feelings

Oxymoron Two words put together to describe something but are opposites when looked at individually Two words put together to describe something but are opposites when looked at individually Examples: Examples: Jumbo shrimp Jumbo shrimp Pretty ugly Pretty ugly Used to show conflicting emotions in the play Used to show conflicting emotions in the play

Paradox A set of mutually exclusive statements A set of mutually exclusive statements Statements that contradict each other; both cannot be true Statements that contradict each other; both cannot be true Creates an impossible situation Creates an impossible situation Examples Examples You can’t have your cake and eat it too You can’t have your cake and eat it too

Pun A humorous play on words that either sound alike or have similar meanings A humorous play on words that either sound alike or have similar meanings Example Example That joke is so corny that the green giant wouldn’t can it (plays on the two meanings of corny…veggie or stupid) That joke is so corny that the green giant wouldn’t can it (plays on the two meanings of corny…veggie or stupid)

Catastrophe The big disaster that happens at the end of a tragedy The big disaster that happens at the end of a tragedy Is usually the end of the dramatic action Is usually the end of the dramatic action

Comic Relief A humorous scene or incident that appears in a serious play to relieve the emotional intensity A humorous scene or incident that appears in a serious play to relieve the emotional intensity

Motivation The reasons behind a character’s actions The reasons behind a character’s actions Can be stated or implied Can be stated or implied

Extended Metaphor It is a lengthy comparison of two unlike things where one thing is called the other thing, and lots of info is given of how they are similar. It is a lengthy comparison of two unlike things where one thing is called the other thing, and lots of info is given of how they are similar. Often the person/object being described will be described in terms of the object being compared to. Often the person/object being described will be described in terms of the object being compared to.