ELA Notes

enter

indicates the entrance of a character

exit

indicates a character leaving the stage

exeunt

exit of multiple characters; means "they leave" in latin

re-enter

a character returns to the stage after recently exitting

alarum

archaic term for alarm; used to indicate a battle

flourish

playing of drums and trumpets; entrance of a king

sennet

similar to a flourish; a trumpet call signaling to a group of people proceeding across the stage

hautboys/cornet/trumpet

a wind instrument playing; highlight or announce a character's introduction

drum

playing of a drum

above/balcony

action takes place above the stage; musicians would often preform from this area

advances

a character moves towards another; often with anger

aside

suggests the character speaks their feelings directly to the audience (unknown to the rest of the characters); tool for dramatic irony

Arras

tapestry on stage

below

the globe theater had a trapdoor that actors called "hell"; stage management referred to the area as this

\
also could indicate the action takes place off of the stage where the audience typically is

excursion

indicates a battle or fight occuring on stage; group of people fighting

severally

the archaic equivalent of separately; indicates actors enter from several different areas

how many acts in a shakespeare play?

five

five acts (basic story arc)

1. exposition
2. rising action
3. climax
4. falling action
5. resolution

scene

sections of an act; based on place and time of action

dramatis personae

list of characters in a play (at the beginning)

prologue

introduction to the play recieted by a single actor (chorus)

epilogue

short speech at conclusion of dramatic work