Shakespearean Tragedy Terms

blank verse that is made up of 5 unstressed syllables, each followed by 5 stressed syllables

• iambic pentameter

• allusion

• comic relief

• dramatic irony

A character's remark that others do not hear

• tragedy

• soliloquy

• aside

• allusion

A character whose personality and attitude contrast sharply with those of another character

• foil

• aside

• tragedy

• allusion

A humorous scene or speech intended to lighten the mood

• comic relief

• dramatic irony

• tragedy

• character flaw

The tragic hero usually fails or dies because of this.

• comic relief

• dramatic irony

• character flaw

• antagonist

The central character of a drama

• protagonist

• antagonist

• soliloquy

• character flaw

a joke that results from multiple word meanings.

• pun

• soliloquy

• aside

• tragedy

A speech given by a character alone on stage

• comic relief

• soliloquy

• tragedy

• antagonist

a reference within a work to something that the audience is expected to know.

• dramatic irony

• allusion

• soliloquy

• antagonist

A drama that ends in catastrophe for the main characters

• soliloquy

• comic relief

• aside

• tragedy