What is Drama Story written to be performed

What is Drama? Story written to be performed by actors before an audience Includes author’s instruction to actors and directors May be divided into acts and scenes indicating changes in location/passage of time

What is a tragedy? According to Aristotle, a tragedy is a play about a person of high social standing who suffers a fall from good fortune

What is a comedy? Lighter drama where leading characters overcome difficulties

Tragic hero The main character, or protagonist Person of dignified or heroic stature suffers a fall from grace Downfall may result from outside forces or tragic flaw, but tragic hero is responsible for their own fate

Tragic flaw A character trait that leads one to his/her own downfall or destruction EX: vanity, pride, uncontrolled passion

Chorus portrayed by one actor, who spoke the prologue and the epilogue of the play

Dialogue A conversation between two characters

Aside Lines whispered to the audience or another character on stage

Soliloquy Long speeches in which characters, on stage alone, reveal inner thoughts aloud

Character foils A character whose personality/attitudes are in sharp contrast to another character By using a foil, the writer highlights the other character’s traits/attitude

Stage designs/directions Directions and drawings for the setting of a play Enter Prince Escalus, with attendants. At first no one hears him. ”

Climax The turning point in a plot

Catastrophe Final event in a drama Ex: death in a tragedy/marriage in a comedy

Allusion Indirect reference to something that is generally familiar Ex: mythology, the Bible, history “Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word…”

Foreshadowing Lines that give a hint or clue to future events

Simile vs. metaphor Simile: a comparison between two things using like or as EX: eyes twinkle like stars Metaphor: an implied comparison between two different things Ex: It is the East and Juliet is the sun.

Oxymoron When words seem to contradict each other Ex: strongest weakness, grown-up children, cruel kindness, double solitaire

Blank Verse Plays written in blank verse – unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter; five stressed and five unstressed syllables EX: More light, you knaves, and turn the tables up.

Comic relief A bit of humor injected into a serious play to relieve the heavy tension of tragic events.

Irony: contrast between appearance and reality Situational Irony: outcome of a situation is the opposite of what is expected Verbal irony: A person says one thing but means another Dramatic irony: reader or audience knows something the characters do not

R&J Background Information Based on 16 th century poem that takes place in 14 th century Verona Italy separated into city-states; each city ruled by different ruler

Romeo and Juliet: marriage Most marriages arranged by families for social and economic reasons Marriage took place at younger age/life span Romantic love was recognized but not viewed as the basis for marriage