AICE English Literature - Drama Literary Terms

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key drama literary terms.

ACT

A major unit or division of a play.

ALLUSION

A word or phrase that makes reference to another place, person, story, or event, bringing to mind related ideas.

ANTAGONIST

The opponent or adversary of the hero or main character of a drama.

ANTIhero

A protagonist who lacks the heroic qualities of a traditional protagonist.

ANTITHESIS

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or phrases to produce a balanced effect.

ASIDE

A brief remark or passage spoken by a character directly to the audience, not heard by other characters.

CATHARSIS

The process of expressing strong emotions to achieve a sense of renewal.

CHARACTERIZATION

The ways in which a writer creates or constructs a fictional character.

CHORUS

A group of performers who sing or recite in unison, providing commentary in Greek drama.

COMEDY

A play that treats characters and situations humorously, typically with a happy ending.

CONFLICT

The internal or external struggle between opposing forces that creates dramatic tension.

CONTEXT

The relationship between a text and its historical, social, and cultural backgrounds.

DENOUEMENT

The solution or unraveling of the plot of a play.

DIALECT

Language and grammar specific to a particular race, group, or culture.

DIALOGUE

Spoken conversation used by two or more characters.

DRAMATIC IRONY

When the audience knows something that the characters do not.

DRAMATIC STRUCTURE

The organization of a dramatic text or passage.

EPILOGUE

A summary speech delivered at the end of a play.

FARCE

A subcategory of comedy using improbable situations and exaggerated humor.

FLAT CHARACTER

An uncomplicated character who does not change over the course of a play.

FOIL

A character whose traits contrast with the protagonist.

FORESHADOW

An indication beforehand of something that is about to happen.

GENRES

The different types of plays and their characteristics.

HEMISTICHOMYTHIA

A type of dialogue where characters exchange short utterances of half a line.

JUXTAPOSITION

Contrasting elements placed side by side to highlight differences.

METAPHOR

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things by stating one is the other.

MONOLOGUE

A long speech made by one actor.

MOOD

The tone or feeling of the play.

MOTIVATION

The reason for a character’s behavior.

MOTIVE

The emotional goals or objectives of a character.

MULTIFACETED

Having many sides, aspects, or faces.

NON-VERBAL

Relating to physical performance rather than spoken words.

ONOMATOPOEIA

Words or phrases that sound like the things they describe.

PARADOX

A situation involving seemingly contradictory facts or qualities.

PERSONIFICATION

The attribution of human qualities to inanimate objects.

POLEMIC

A powerful attack on someone or something.

PROLOGUE

A speech which introduces a play.

PROPS

Any article used as part of a dramatic production.

PROTAGONIST

The main character or hero in a play.

PUNS

A type of word-play with more than one meaning.

SATIRE

A play that uses sarcasm and irony to expose societal folly.

SCENE

A small section of a play.

SENSORY RECALL

An acting technique wherein an actor recalls sensory experiences.

SETTING

When and where the action of a play takes place.

SIMILE

A figure of speech comparing one thing with another using 'like' or 'as'.

SITUATIONAL IRONY

A discrepancy between expected results and actual results.

SOLILOQUY

A speech given by a character speaking their thoughts aloud.

STAGE DIRECTIONS

Instructions in the script that tell the actors what to do on stage.

STAGING

Information on how the stage should look at various times in the play.

STATUS

The level of power a character has, which can change in the play.

STICHOMYTHIA

A dramatic technique involving alternating lines of verse.

SYMBOL

An object or event used to represent something else.

SYMBOLISM

The use of imagery to evoke emotions or ideas.

TENSION

The use of language to evoke emotions or ideas.

THEME

The basic idea of a play.

TRAGEDY

A play depicting man as a victim of destiny.

TRAGIC FLAW

The defect in the tragic hero that leads to their downfall.

TRAGIC HERO

The central figure in a tragedy who experiences a fall.

TRICOLON

A rhetorical device using three parallel structures for emphasis.

UNIVERSALITY

The ability to appeal to people regardless of time and place.

UTTERANCE

Any single unit of speech.

VERBAL IRONY

When a speaker says one thing and means another.