English - Drama Terms

gesture

A physical movement or expression made by an actor to convey meaning or emotion.

staging

The arrangement and presentation of actors, sets, and props on stage during a performance.

stage direction

Instructions in a script that guide actors and directors on movements, positioning, and actions during a play.

set

The physical environment on stage where a play's action occurs, including backdrops, furniture, and other visual elements.

props

Objects used by actors on stage to enhance the realism of a scene or to help tell the story.

monologue

A lengthy speech delivered by a single character in a play, often revealing inner thoughts or feelings.

dialogue

The spoken exchanges between two or more characters in a play or narrative.

soliloquy

A speech in which a character, alone on stage, speaks their thoughts aloud, often revealing inner conflicts.

aside

A brief remark by a character, directed to the audience or themselves, that other characters on stage are not supposed to hear.

chorus

A group of performers in a play who comment on the action or themes, often representing the voice of the community or society.

catharsis

The emotional release or purging that an audience experiences through the events of a tragedy.

catastrophe

The final action that completes the unraveling of the plot in a tragedy, leading to the resolution or downfall of the protagonist.

hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence that leads a protagonist to ignore warnings and ultimately to their downfall.

hamartia

A tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero

comedy

A genre of drama that is humorous and often ends happily, focusing on the lighter aspects of life.

tragedy

A genre of drama where the protagonist faces significant suffering or downfall, often due to a tragic flaw or fate.

tragic flaw

A character trait, often a weakness or mistake, that leads to the protagonist's downfall in a tragedy.

metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by stating that one is the other.

symbol

An object, character, or event that represents a larger idea or concept beyond its literal meaning.

simile

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

vehicle

The image or concept used in a metaphor or simile to represent or describe the subject (the tenor).

tenor

The subject or idea being described in a metaphor or simile.

personification

A literary device where human characteristics are attributed to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract ideas.

anthropomorphism

The attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to animals, gods, or objects, often in a way that they act like humans.

apostrophe

A figure of speech in which a character or speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, or a personified abstraction, as if it were present.

verbal irony

When a speaker says something but means the opposite, often for sarcastic or humorous effect.

situational irony

When there is a stark difference between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs, creating a surprising outcome.

dramatic irony

When the audience knows something that the characters in the story do not, leading to tension or humor.

cosmic irony

When fate, destiny, or a deity appears to manipulate events in a way that mocks or frustrates human efforts, often highlighting the insignificance of humans in the larger scheme of things.