Context and Key Terminology in IOBE

Deus Ex Machina

A plot device in which a seemingly insoluble problem is solved suddenly in an expected or unlikely way

Melodrama

A piece of literature in which emotions or reactions are often excessively dramatic and overstated

The 'Well-made Play'

A type of play, constructed according to certain strict technical principles, that dominated the stages of Europe and the United States for most of the 19th century and continued to exert influence into the 20th. Typical features include precise plotting, a predictable structure and a compelling narrative.

Modernism

Describes 20th century 'avant-garde', in reaction to the 19th century conventions of realism. Modernist writers writing generally rejecting the idea of morality, didacticism and political purpose.

Problem play

19th century sub-genre of play, where the 'problem' was always the issue of female sexuality, the most usual problem investigated at Wilde's time was the 'marriage problem' when marriage was the ideal at the time.

Stock characters

The kind of character particularly associated with a particular genre

Farce

A kind of drama intended primarily to provoke laughter, using exaggerated characters and complicated plots, full with absurd episodes. Mistaken identities is often an element of the plot.

Aestheticism

A movement in the arts, including literature, flourishing the second half of the nineteenth century, which stressed the paramount value and self-sufficiency of art. The catch-phrase of the movement was 'Art for Art's sake'. Art is viewed as the supreme human achievement, it should never become subservient to moral, political, didactic or practical purposes. Art exists merely for the sake of its own beauty and it can be judged only by its own criteria.

Aphorism

A short statement that reveals a universal truth

Comedy of manners

A sub-division of comedy, focuses on the love intrigues of cynical and sophisticated young aristocrats in high society: it relies heavily on verbal wit rather than on elements of slapstick or farce.

Dandy

Men who devote fastidious attention to dress, personal grooming, refined language and leisurely hobbies.

Sartorial Extravagance

Characterized by extravagant dress and personal grooming, often associated with social detachment and disdain for lower classes.

Denouement

The final unfolding of the plot.

Alias / Alter Ego

A name used by a character, such as Jack's alias in the city.

Morality / Conventions

Wilde critiques Victorian morality and conventions.

Doubling

A multiplication by two, such as when two or more characters parallel each other in action or personality.

Double Life

A life led by characters who have invented aliases, allowing them to maintain dual identities.

Duality

The theme displayed in characters' use of double identities and parallels in the language of the play.

Dramatic Foil

A character that helps reveal aspects of another character's life, generally emphasizing the traits of the protagonist.

Duality

The theme displayed in the characters' use of double identities and the parallels in the language of the play.

Epigram

A short saying or poem that expresses an idea in a clever, funny way.

Epitasis

The main action of a play, in which the trials and tribulations of the main character increase and build toward a climax and dénouement.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Sexual functions, death and body parts are typically disguised in this way in common speech.

Hedonism

A family of philosophical views that prioritize pleasure.

Innuendo

An allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.

Irony

Consists of saying one thing when you mean another. Achieved through understatement, concealment and allusion, rather than by direct statement.

Inversion

The syntactic reversal of the normal order of the words and phrases in a sentence.

Lampoon

Publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony or sarcasm.

Paradox

A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.

Phatic language

Words and phrases used in social situations to establish a relationship between the speakers, it has no communicative function except to begin the conversation.

Periphrasis

An indirect manner of speech, often used for comic purposes, it speaks around a subject rather than addressing its subject directly.

Physical comedy

Is a form of comedy focused on manipulation of the body for a humorous effect. It can include slapstick, clowning, physical stunts, or making funny faces.

Props

Any movable articles or objects used on the set of a play or movie.

Protasis

The clause expressing the condition in a conditional sentence.

Repartee

Conversation or speech characterized by witty, swift replies, often mildly insulting. It is a common conversational mode in the comedy of manners.

Satire

Literature which exhibits or examines a vice or a folly and makes it appear ridiculous.

Separate spheres

This Victorian version of the battle of the sexes comes from the argument current amongst conservative writers that a woman's sphere was the home and a man's was the public domain.

Stichomythia

Dialogue in which two characters speak alternate lines of verse.

Subversion

Using plot twists in a story to surprise and challenge readers.

New Woman

A significant cultural icon departed from the stereotypical Victorian woman, she was intelligent, educated, emancipated, independent and self-supporting.

Three Act Structure

Aristotle believed that every piece of poetry or drama must have a beginning, middle and end, called 'protasis', 'epitasis', and 'catastrophe'.

Trope

A significant or recurrent theme.

Fop

A stock character, a 'man of fashion' who overdresses, aspires to wit, and generally puts on airs, which may include aspiring to a higher social station than others think he has. He may be somewhat effeminate, although this rarely affects his pursuit of an heiress.

Ingenue

An innocent or unsophisticated young woman, especially in a play or film.

Marriage

Marriage as a social tool, Love at first sight, The companionate marriage.