The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet DRAMA TERMS

Journal Entry #5 What impact does family have during different stages of our life? What impact does family have during different stages of our life? Infancy (0-5) Infancy (0-5) Elementary and Middle School (6-13) Elementary and Middle School (6-13) Teenage Years (14-19) Teenage Years (14-19) Young Adulthood (20-30) Young Adulthood (20-30) Adulthood (30-64) Adulthood (30-64) Old Age (65+) Old Age (65+)

Tragedy A branch of drama that illustrates the sorrowful or terrible events encountered or caused by a heroic individual. A branch of drama that illustrates the sorrowful or terrible events encountered or caused by a heroic individual. The Shakespeare tragedies share a number of common features…

Tragic Hero A person of some stature or high position and a good person; he must matter to us and we must see him as a worthwhile person. A person of some stature or high position and a good person; he must matter to us and we must see him as a worthwhile person.

Tragic Hero He must possess a character trait or quality which under normal circumstances would be a virtue, but which under the special circumstances of the play proves to be a fatal flaw. Frequently, he makes serious errors in judgment which lead him to committing the deed which begins his downfall. Often he has a distorted perception of, or is blind to, reality. He must possess a character trait or quality which under normal circumstances would be a virtue, but which under the special circumstances of the play proves to be a fatal flaw. Frequently, he makes serious errors in judgment which lead him to committing the deed which begins his downfall. Often he has a distorted perception of, or is blind to, reality.

Tragic Flaw Shakespeare’s tragic heroes are all fundamentally flawed. It is this weakness that ultimately leads to their downfall. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes are all fundamentally flawed. It is this weakness that ultimately leads to their downfall.

External Pressures Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often fall victim to external pressures. Fate, evil spirits and manipulative characters all play a hand in the hero’s downfall. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often fall victim to external pressures. Fate, evil spirits and manipulative characters all play a hand in the hero’s downfall.

Dramatic Foil A character who contrasts another character and emphasizes certain qualities. A character who contrasts another character and emphasizes certain qualities. Bad guyGood guy

Monologue A long speech delivered by one character to another character or the audience. A long speech delivered by one character to another character or the audience.

Soliloquy A long speech where a character expresses his or her own thoughts aloud. A long speech where a character expresses his or her own thoughts aloud.

Aside A short speech, usually to the audience, that is inaudible by the other characters on the stage. A short speech, usually to the audience, that is inaudible by the other characters on the stage. BENVOLIO [aside to CAPULET]

Pun A play on words exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. A play on words exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. Example: Sycamore Tree Syc = Sick Amore = Love Romeo sits under this tree because he is lovesick.

Allusion A reference to a well-known person, place, literary work, event, etc. A reference to a well-known person, place, literary work, event, etc. Romeo, act 1 Scene 1: Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit With Cupid's arrow; she hath Dian's wit; And, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd, From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. Romeo, act 1 Scene 1: Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit With Cupid's arrow; she hath Dian's wit; And, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd, From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd.