Drama Terms 1

Drama Literature that is meant to be performed by actors on stage, radio, or television. Work that is intended for the stage. 2

Act A group of scenes Shakespeare plays always have 5 acts, but a play can have 1 act as well. 3

Scene The smaller episodes within an act The number of scenes in an act always varies. 4

Script The written form of a play 5

Stage Directions Directions in the script that tell the actor where to move, how to say something, or what to do 6

Scenery Background decorations on the stage used to show setting and create mood 7

Props Items that the actors need to perform the play 8

Dialogue A conversation between two or more characters. 9

Foil A character that is complete opposite of another character 10

Monologue An extended speech spoken by one speaker. This speech is made to others or as if alone. 11

Soliloquy A speech made by a character when they are alone on the stage. It reveals inner thoughts and feelings of the character. 12

Aside A statement that the actor makes to the audience that the rest of the characters on the stage supposedly cannot hear. 13

Pun A play on words usually mean to be funny What do you do when your wheels run out? 14

Allusion a figure of speech in which one refers directly or indirectly to an object or circumstance that has occurred or existed in an external context Ex: A historical event or person, a piece of literature, a song, a literary character, etc.

Tragedy Presents the story of a noble and powerful figure that suffers a downfall leading to catastrophe. At the end of a tragedy, many, if not all, of the main characters face utter ruin. This character (or characters) usually meets his/her doom because of a tragic flaw. Tragedy shows how people become crushed by adversity. 16

Comedy Presents the story of a figure that goes from bad fortune to good, usually through luck or cunning. There is always a happy ending. This ending often involves a happy reunion of characters. Comedy is often written in a lower, more casual style. Comedy suggests that we can overcome the challenges that life sets in front of us. 17

Plot Mt. In Shakespeare’s Tragedies 18