Dramatic Terms and Devices

Dramatic Terms and Devices

Pun

A play on Words in which a word or phase has a double meaning.

Example from Text

"...ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man."

Soliloquy

Occurs when a character speaks their thoughts in an extended speech while alone on stage.

Example from Text

Aside

When a character briefly speaks their thoughts to the audience while there are other characters on stage.

Example from Text

"Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?"

Metaphor

Direct comparison not using like or as.

Example from Text

"It is the East and Juliet is the sun."

Simile

Comparison using like or as.

Example from Text

"....thou art as glorios to this night being o'er my head, as a winged messenger or heaven."

Tragic Flaw

Lack or excess or a character trait that leads to the protagonist's downfall.

Example from Text

Tragic Hero

The protagonist who experiences a rise in fortune followed by sudden downfall that results in death.

Example from Text

Dramatic Irony

Occurs when the audience knows something a character does not.

Example from Text

Tybalt and others do not know Romeo and Juliet are married.

Pathos

A feeling of sympathy or sadness evoked by a play.