English 1H: Elements of Drama Study Guide

stage directions

explain how a character should move and speak

act

major division in the action of a play; divided into scenes

scene

establishes a different setting in time or place

french scene

change in the characters on stage; begins/ends with an entrance/exit

drama

work meant to be performed on stage

comedy

drama intended to amuse the audience; no terrible disaster occurs, and the play ends happily for the main characters

tragedy

drama that ends in disaster, usually the death of major characters

comic relief

humorous scene, incident, or speech in the midst of serious work used to break tension

aside

remark spoken in undertone by a character, heard by the audience, not by other characters

soliloquy

speech given by one character alone on stage that reveals private thoughts

monologue

long speech by a character

foil

characters who set up a contrast to one another

paradox

a statement that seems contradictory but actually may be true; an idea; ex: the beginning of the end

oxymoron

combination of words that contradict each other; wordplay; ex: pretty ugly

allusion

reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

personification

a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics

apostrophe

speaker talks to someone or something not present; often an idea

simile

comparison of two unlike things using like or as

metaphor

comparison of two unlike things

extended metaphor

continues through a few sentences or paragraphs

pun

play on words, often double meaning

dramatic irony

contrast between what characters know and audience knows

foreshadowing

hints or clues as to what might happen later in the story

in medias res

Latin phrase meaning "in the middle of things"; means that a story or play begins in the middle of the plot

What are stage directions in a play?

Instructions that explain how a character should move and speak on stage.

What is an act in drama?

A major division in the action of a play, which is typically divided into smaller scenes.

What is a scene in a play?

A division within an act that establishes a different setting in time or place.

What is a French scene?

A scene change defined by the entrance or exit of a character, beginning and ending with that transition.

How is drama defined in literature?

A literary work intended to be performed on stage before an audience.

What is a comedy in drama?

A dramatic work intended to amuse the audience where no terrible disaster occurs and the play ends happily for the main characters.

What is a tragedy?

A drama that ends in disaster, usually resulting in the death of major characters.

What is comic relief?

A humorous scene, incident, or speech placed in the midst of serious drama to break tension.

What is an aside?

A remark spoken in an undertone by a character that is heard by the audience but not by other characters on stage.

What is a soliloquy?

A speech given by a single character alone on stage that reveals their private thoughts and feelings.

What is a monologue?

A long speech spoken by one character to other characters on stage.

What is a character foil?

A character whose traits directly contrast with another character's to highlight specific qualities.

What is a paradox?

A statement or idea that seems contradictory on the surface but may actually express a deeper truth (e.g., "the beginning of the end").

What is an oxymoron?

A combination of contradictory words used together for wordplay or emphasis (e.g., "pretty ugly").

What is an allusion?

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art within a text.

What is personification?

A figure of speech in which a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics.

What is an apostrophe in drama/poetry?

A speech where a character addresses an absent person, abstract idea, or nonhuman object as if it were present.

What is a simile?

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as."

What is a metaphor?

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."

What is an extended metaphor?

A comparison between two unlike things that continues through several sentences, lines, or paragraphs.

What is a pun?

A play on words that relies on words having multiple meanings or sounding similar.

What is dramatic irony?

A contrast between what a character knows and what the audience knows to be true.

What is foreshadowing?

Hints or clues provided by the author about events that will happen later in the story.

What does the Latin phrase "in medias res" mean?

"In the middle of things"; referring to a narrative or play that begins directly in the middle of the action.

What is the primary intended medium for drama?

It is intended to be performed live on stage by actors, not just read on paper.

How does drama explore paradox and the dual nature of concepts?

By examining how opposing forces—such as love and death—are deeply interconnected and arise from one another.

How do rivalries and character foils drive dramatic conflict?

Opposing groups create tension, while contrasting characters highlight opposing viewpoints, flaws, and motivations.

What role does fate play in classical tragedy?

It acts as an overarching force that raises the question of whether events are predestined or caused by human choices.

What does fickleness mean in dramatic characterization?

Changing one's mind, loyalty, or emotional attachments quickly and unpredictably.

How do misinformation and deceit drive tragic plots?

Secrets, misunderstandings, and intentional deception trigger misinformed actions that lead directly to disaster.

What central ethical question does a tragedy ask regarding blame?

Who or what is ultimately responsible for the tragic outcome—fate, individual choices, or systemic rivalries?

What critical question arises when evaluating dramatic romances?

Is the relationship genuine, lasting love, or is it merely fleeting infatuation?