Drama Terminology Romeo and Juliet Advanced English 9

Drama A story that is written to be acted for an audience.

Comedy A story that ends happily and usually in a marriage

Tragedy Tragedy- A play in which the main characters come to an unhappy end. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. What do we know about the play from the title? Tragic hero- a character (hero) that has a trait that leads to his or her downfall. Tragic flaw- the trait that leads to his or her downfall can be excessive greed, pride, passion, etc.

Tragic Hero From Aristotle’s Poetics Suggests that a hero of a tragedy must evoke in the audience a sense of pity or fear, saying, “the change of fortune presented must not be the spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity." He establishes the concept that the emotion of pity stems from a person receives undeserved misfortune and fear comes when the misfortune befalls a man like us. Hero must be “virtuous” and a "a morally blameless man” (article 82). The flaw is what will bring him death by the end of the work.

Tragic Flaw A flaw in the character of the protagonist of a tragedy that brings the protagonist to ruin or sorrow Downfall

Star-Crossed Describes a relationship that is determined by outside forces or “stars” to have a tragic ending. Fate-Inevitable course of events

Set Time and place of the story. Also includes lights, costumes, props, etc.

Props All objects that the actors use on stage.

Dialogue Conversation between characters. We learn everything about the story through the characters’ conversations.

Soliloquy, Monologue, Aside Soliloquy- long speech in which a character who is onstage alone expresses his or her thoughts aloud. Monologue- an extended speech by one character. Aside-words that are spoken by a character in a play to the audience or to another character but that are not supposed to be overheard by others onstage.

Prologue An introduction or preface, especially a poem recited to introduce a play

Chorus Speaks in the prologue of Romeo and Juliet, addresses the audience before the play, act or scene

Act, Scene, and Stage Directions Act- part of the play. Shakespeare’s plays are written in 5 Acts. Scene- part of the play in which the action stays in one place for a continuous time Stage Directions- actions of the play

Stereotype Popular belief about social groups or individuals

Shakespearean Sonnet 14 line poem, written in iambic pentameter with a rhyme scheme of abab cdcd ef ef gg Run on line- line of poetry that goes to the next line End stopped line- line of poetry where the sentence stops at the end of the line

Paradox A statement or situation that seems to be a contradiction, but reveals a truth. They often express aspects of life that are mysterious, surprising, or difficult to describe. Why is the night sky black if there is an infinity of stars? We learn from history that we do not learn from history. How can you love someone and hate someone at the same time?

Archaic Words Words that disappeared from common use Bite my thumb-obscene gesture Good-en – goodnight Maid- unmarried girl Mark- listen to Wherefore- why Duns the mouse- be quiet

Irony and Turning Point Irony- contrast between expectation and reality. Situational- when there is a contract between what would seem appropriate and what really happens. Verbal-a writer or speaker says something but means something different. Dramatic-the audience or reader knows something that the character does not. Turning Point-a moment when a choice is made by main characters that determine the direction of the play.

Character Foil A character who sets off another character by strong contrast and reveals something about the character.

Puns Play on words Examples: I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. I was going to look for my missing watch, but I could never find the time. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds. Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy. Just like language, humor has changed from Shakespeare’s time to now.

Groundling People who stood by the stage at the Globe and saw a play for a penny.

Narrative structure Irony- a special kind of contrast between appearance and reality usually one in which reality is the opposite of what is expected or considered appropriate

Narrative structure Situational Irony- a contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually exists

Narrative structure Verbal Irony- when someone knowingly exaggerates or says one thing and means another

Narrative structure Dramatic Irony- occurs when the reader or viewer knows something that a character does not know