1. Romeo & Juliet Terminology

2. Sonnet A fourteen-line lyric poem, usually written in rhymed iambic pentameter. The English (or Shakespearian) sonnet consists of three quatrains (4-line stanzas) and a couplet (two lines) A fourteen-line lyric poem, usually written in rhymed iambic pentameter. The English (or Shakespearian) sonnet consists of three quatrains (4-line stanzas) and a couplet (two lines)

3. Blank Verse Poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter lines Poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter lines

4. Meter The rhythmical pattern of a poem The rhythmical pattern of a poem

5. Iambic pentameter Ten syllables in each line. An unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable – ex. (a-gain) Ten syllables in each line. An unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable – ex. (a-gain) Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.

6. Couplet A pair of rhyming lines, usually the same length and meter A pair of rhyming lines, usually the same length and meter

7. Prologue A preface or introduction A preface or introduction

8. Drama A story written to be performed by actors. A story written to be performed by actors.

9. Tragedy A work of literature, specially a play, that results in a catastrophe for the main character. Romeo and Juliet suffer the tragic flaw of impulsiveness, which ultimately leads to their deaths. A work of literature, specially a play, that results in a catastrophe for the main character. Romeo and Juliet suffer the tragic flaw of impulsiveness, which ultimately leads to their deaths.

10. Comedy A literary work that has a happy ending. Comedies often show ordinary characters in conflict with society. A literary work that has a happy ending. Comedies often show ordinary characters in conflict with society.

11. Comic Relief An introduction of a humorous character or situation to interrupt a serious part of a drama An introduction of a humorous character or situation to interrupt a serious part of a drama

12. Dialogue The words the actors say The words the actors say

13. Stage directions Comments on how and where action happens. Comments on how and where action happens.

14. Properties All stage furnishings, objects, etc. (often shortened to props) All stage furnishings, objects, etc. (often shortened to props)

15. Motivation Reason for the characters’ beliefs or actions Reason for the characters’ beliefs or actions

16. Soliloquy A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on the stage. (The character speas directly to the audience.) A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on the stage. (The character speas directly to the audience.)

17. Aside A short speech directed to the audience and is presumed to be inaudible to the other actors. A short speech directed to the audience and is presumed to be inaudible to the other actors.

18. Monologue A long speech given by a character in a play. A long speech given by a character in a play. Ex: When the prince commands the Montagues and the Capulets to quit fighting. (The character is addressing other characters). Ex: When the prince commands the Montagues and the Capulets to quit fighting. (The character is addressing other characters).

19. Pun A form of wordplay that occurs when two words pronounced and spelled somewhat the same contain different meanings. A form of wordplay that occurs when two words pronounced and spelled somewhat the same contain different meanings. What do you do when your wheels wear out? Re-tire What do you do when your wheels wear out? Re-tire

20. Round and Flat Characters A round character shows many different traits – faults as well as virtues, while a flat character is one-dimensional and shows one main trait A round character shows many different traits – faults as well as virtues, while a flat character is one-dimensional and shows one main trait

21. Dynamic and Static Characters A character who changes and grows is dynamic, while a static character does not change A character who changes and grows is dynamic, while a static character does not change

22. Indirect Characterization In a play, characters’ personalities are revealed through their actions, conversations, and through contrast with characters of opposing personality types (dramatic foils). In a play, characters’ personalities are revealed through their actions, conversations, and through contrast with characters of opposing personality types (dramatic foils).

23. Apostrophe A figure of speech in which someone who is absent is directly addressed as though present. A figure of speech in which someone who is absent is directly addressed as though present.