R&J Introduction Vocabulary (Drama Terms and Figurative Language)

simile

comparison using like or as

metaphor

comparison not using like or as

idiom

an expression with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual words

hyperbole

extreme exaggeration

onomatopoeia

the use of words that imitate sounds

personification

giving humanlike traits to non-human objects or animals

allusion

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

alliteration

repetition of initial consonant sounds

assonance

repetition of vowel sounds

oxymoron

an expression in which two words that contradict each other are joined

pun

the humorous use of a word or phrase to suggest two or more meanings at the same time

symbol

An item or thing that represents some larger idea of significance

tragedy

a drama that ends in great suffering; the main character(s) usually die.

tragic Hero

the protagonist of a tragedy; has one flaw that will lead to his/her downfall

foil

character who directly contrasts with another character (has opposing traits).

comic relief

comic episodes that off-set more serious sections in a drama

soliloquy

speech a character gives when he/she is alone on stage; lets audience know what he/she is thinking

aside

a remark or passage in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience, but not heard by the other characters in the play.

prologue

a speech addressed to the audience by one or more of the actors at the opening of a play.

chorus

a group of actors who describe or comment upon the main action of the play