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Drama Terms
A variety of dramatic terms, based on a specific set of plays studied
29
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Undergraduate 2
12/07/2009

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Term
Neoclassicism
Definition
Marked by an emphasis on decorum, and use of the unities
Term
Unities
Definition
Three different kinds: unity of time, unity of place, unity of action
Term
Verisimilitude
Definition
Aspect of Neoclassicism: The appearance of being true or real; likeness or resemblance of the truth, reality or a fact's probability.
Term
Subplot
Definition
Secondary action/plot that can support or contrast the main plot
Term
Deus ex machina
Definition
Any artificial or improbable device resolving the difficulties of a plot
Term
Foreshadowing
Definition
When the dialogue of the character gives some clue as to what will occur next in the play
Term
Irony
Definition
Difference between what is expected and what actually occurs
Term
Iamb
Definition
Poetic foot consisting of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable
Term
Poetic foot
Definition
Unit of stressed/unstressed syllables
Term
Blank Verse
Definition
Unrhymed, metric verse; usually iambic
Term
Plot
Definition
structure of the sequence of events or actions
Term
Satire
Definition
Uses wit and sarcasm to attack vice, folly, human weakness (Example: Volpone)
Term
Farce
Definition
Uses stock characters, exaggerated situations (Examples: Lysistrata, A funny thing happened on the way to the wedding)
Term
Comedy of Manners
Definition
Pokes fun/criticizes the social classes of the day (Examples: School for Scandal, The Misanthrope)
Term
Apron
Definition
Area on stage in front of the proscenium arch, closest to the audience
Term
Proscenium Arch
Definition
Architectural feature which provides a large frame in front of the scenery
Term
Raissoneur
Definition
voice of reason in the play; theorized to be the author’s voice within the play
Term
Confidante
Definition
Someone who one of the main character can confide in; can reveal the true thoughts of the characters
Term
Soliloquy
Definition
dramatic speech to be heard only by the audience, usually given when the character is alone on stage
Term
Climax
Definition
high point in the play; important conflicts are addressed
Term
Conflict
Definition
contest of wills; can involve a protagonist and antagonist, protagonist and group, protagonist and himself
Term
Protagonist
Definition
main agent of action/central character
Term
Aside
Definition
utterance by a character that the other characters cannot hear
Term
Antagonist
Definition
force that opposes the antagonist
Term
Episodic form
Definition
Series of related incidents that don’t have a direct causal link (Example: Faustus)
Term
Climactic form
Definition
Series of dramatic incidents with a direct causal link (Example: Oedipus Rex)
Term
Point of attack
Definition
when the play begins to rate to the narrative
Term
Machiavellian
Definition
actions that are cruel, conniving, manipulative, sly
Term
Genre
Definition
Specific type of literary form
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