Dramatic and Literary Elements

ActA division within a play, much

like chapters of a novel

AnalogyComparison between two things

for the purpose of clarifying the less familiar of the two.

AsideLines that are spoken by a

character directly to the audience

Blank verseNon-rhyming poetry, usually

written in iambic pentameter. Most of Shakespeare’s plays are written in this form, which is very close to normal speech rhythms and patterns. Often Shakespeare will deviate from this form in order to make a point about the character’s state of mind or for other emphasis, like a change in the mood.

CatalystSomeone who drives the hero

into action.

ComedyA humorous work of drama

Comic reliefIn a tragedy, a break in the

seriousness for a moment of comedy or silliness.

DialogueConversation between two or

more characters

Double entendreA word or phrase with more than

one meaning, usually when the second meaning is risqué

Dramatic ironyWhen the audience or reader

knows something that the characters in the story do not know

EuphemismA substitution of a more pleasant

expression for one whose meaning may come across as rude or offensive.

Figurative languageWriting or speech that is not

meant to be taken literally; often used to compare dissimilar objects; figurative language includes metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole

Used to create vivid imagery and depth of meaning to convey a mood

FoilA character who is nearly

opposite of another character; the purpose of a foil is to reveal a stark contrast between two characters, often the protagonist and antagonist

ForeshadowingHints of events to occur later in a

story

IambA unit in poetry consisting of an

unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable

Iambic pentameterA 10-syllable line divided into 5

iambic feet (one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable). This is the basic rhythm of Shakespeare’s verse.

IronyA contradiction between what is

expected and what actually is – or appearance versus reality; includes verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony.

MonologueA long speech spoken by a

character to himself, another character, or to the audience.

OxymoronWhen two opposite terms are

used together

ProseNormal speech rhythm;

Shakespeare often wrote certain characters speaking either in all verse or all prose, indicating some personality trait of the character. If the character deviates from his normal form, be aware of a changing state of mind . . . Often prose signals a character slipping into insanity!

PunA play on words, especially those

that sound alike, but have different meanings

Rhetorical devicesTechniques writers use to

enhance their arguments and communicate more effectively.

RepetitionAnalogyParallelismRhetorical questions

ReversalThe point at which the action of

the plot takes an unexpected turn; usually the protagonist learns something about himself and might even regret his decisions, or realizes the affect his decision may have on himself or others

Rhyming coupletTwo rhyming lines at the end of a

speech, signaling that a character is leaving the stage or that the scene is ending

SarcasmType of verbal irony; critical

remark in the form of a statement in which literal meaning is opposite actual meaning; mocking and intended to hurt someone

SceneA division of an act into smaller

parts

SoliloquyThoughts spoken aloud by a

character when he/she is alone, or thinks he/she is alone; generally assumed to be genuine

Stage directionsItalicized comments that identify

parts of the setting or the use of props or costumes, give further information about a character, or provide background information; in Shakespeare’s plays, stage directions can also appear in brackets, parenthesis, and/or half-brackets

SuspenseExcitement or tension readers

feel as they wait to find out how a story ends or a conflict is resolved

Tragic flaw/heroA tragic flaw is an error in

judgment or a character defect that ultimately leads to his/her downfall.

A tragic hero is a protagonist with a fatal flaw that eventually leads to his demise – usually of high social rank – usually faces downfall with courage and dignity.