Shakespeare’s Dramatic Dialogue & Conversational Features

Vocabulary flashcards covering Shakespeare’s dialogue techniques, stage directions, conversation analysis, address forms, interjections, greetings, farewells, and politeness strategies.

Prose

Ordinary written or spoken language; used in novels and short stories and frequently in Shakespeare for everyday speech.

Poetry

Verse form such as lyrics or sonnets; in Shakespeare often written in iambic pentameter.

Drama

Text intended for performance (plays); Shakespeare’s primary literary medium.

Soliloquy

Speech in which a character reveals inner thoughts while alone on stage, similar to a cinematic voice-over.

Stage Direction: Speech

Instruction that indicates who speaks and to whom; can mark private lines (e.g., ‘aside’).

Stage Direction: Movement

Notation of where and how actors move (e.g., ‘enter’, ‘exeunt’, ‘above’, ‘within’).

Stage Direction: Events

Cues announcing actions like fights or battles (e.g., ‘alarums’, ‘excursions’).

Stage Direction: Music Cues

Signals for specific instruments or fanfares (e.g., ‘flourish’, ‘sennet’, ‘tucket’).

Turn-Taking

Linguistic system governing how speakers alternate turns in dialogue.

Filled/Unfilled Hesitation

Pause devices (silence or fillers) that signal a speaker may continue the turn.

Discourse Marker

Phrase such as ‘you know’ or ‘you see’ that organizes or frames speech.

Tag Question

Short question added for confirmation, e.g., “Isn’t it?”

Vocative

Direct form of address to a listener, e.g., ‘Sir’, ‘my lord’.

Address Form: Proper Noun

Use of personal names (Katherine, Edward) to address someone.

Address Form: Common Noun

Generic titles of respect or familiarity (darling, sir, gallant).

Courtesy Form

Polite address showing deference, e.g., ‘my liege’, ‘father’.

Endearment

Affectionate address such as ‘sweetheart’ or ‘heart’.

Insert

Parenthetical expression like ‘Good now’ or ‘Pray ye’ used to soften requests.

Interjection: Alas/Alack

Exclamation of regret or indignation.

Interjection: Fie

Outcry expressing disgust or shame.

Interjection: Go to

Impatient prompt meaning “come on.”

Interjection: How now

Signal of surprise or mild reproach.

Interjection: O

Exclamation indicating shock or intense emotion.

Interjection: Out

Cry of rejection or expulsion, often scornful.

Interjection: Poh

Sound expressing disgust or abhorrence.

Interjection: Tut

Impatient or dissatisfied exclamation.

Interjection: Good cheer

Expression of reassurance or encouragement.

Attention Signal: Look

Words like ‘behold’, ‘lo’ directing a listener’s gaze.

Attention Signal: Listen

Commands such as ‘hark’ telling someone to hear.

Attention Signal: Be Quiet

Shushing words (buzz, hush, mum, peace) demanding silence.

Attention Signal: Pay Attention

Calls like ‘hear ye’, ‘good now’ focusing the audience.

Greeting: Blessing Invocation

Salutation invoking God’s favor, e.g., ‘God bless you’.

Greeting: Time of Day

Polite opening such as ‘good morrow’ or ‘good even’.

Greeting: Monarch

Formal address to royalty, e.g., ‘hail to your grace’.

Pre-Invitation

Question gauging availability before issuing an invitation.

Pre-Request

Preliminary query testing willingness before making a request.

Topic-Bounding Sequence

Exchange that frames or shifts the focus of conversation.

Closing Sequence

Dialogue moves that terminate interaction, often with farewells.

Simple Farewell

Basic parting word such as ‘farewell’.

Farewell with Concern

Departure wish linked to well-being, e.g., ‘God keep you’.

Dismissal

Farewell instructing departure: ‘go thy ways’, ‘leave me now’.

Politeness: Permission Request

Negative-politeness form like ‘may it please your grace’ asking consent.

Politeness: Thanking

Positive-politeness gratitude expression, e.g., ‘God-a-mercy’.