1. Romeo & Juliet
Unit 4 - Drama

2. Characteristics of Drama
Written to be performed by actors
Story is told mainly through dialogue and actions of the characters

3. Stage Directions Typically printed in italics
Explain how the characters should look, speak, move, and behave
Can also describe the setting and scenery like lighting, props, and sound effects

4. Characters/Cast
The cast of characters is listed at the beginning of a play

5. Dialogue Conversation between the characters
Plot and characterization is revealed through dialogue

6. Acts and Scenes The same as chapters in a book
They indicate a change in location or a passage of time

7. Vocabulary Terms Unique to Drama
Tragedy
Aside
Soliloquy
Monologue
Tragic Flaw
Tragic Hero
Comic Relief

8. Tragedy
A serious play in which the chief character passes through a series of misfortunes leading to a final, devastating catastrophe (often death)

9. Aside
A comment made by a character that is heard by the audience, but NOT heard by the other characters onstage

10. Soliloquy & Monologue
A soliloquy is a speech delivered by a character who is alone onstage speaking to himself
Monologue is a speech given by a character alone on stage to an audience

11. Tragic Flaw (hamartia)
A defect in the protagonist’s personality in a tragedy that brings the protagonist to ruin, sorrow, or death
Examples: Impetuous, fickle, defiance, greed, arrogance

12. Tragic Hero
The protagonist of a tragedy that possess a tragic flaw leading to his downfall or death
Examples: Romeo & Juliet

13. Hubris
Extreme pride or arrogance

14. Comic Relief
Occurs when a short, funny episode interrupts an otherwise serious or tragic scene.
It is meant to break the tension after a particularly intense scene.

15. Literary Devices Both prose and drama share literary devices
Example: foil characters
A character that provides a strong contrast to another character.
Purpose: to emphasize a character’s traits or make another character look better by comparison

16. Practice!
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