Shakespearean terms and The Merchant of Venice

The list of the characters in a play placed at the beginning of a play.

• epilogue

• dramatis personae

• act

• exeunt

Refers to the part when two or more characters leave the stage.

• epilogue

• dramatis personae

• act

• exeunt

The afterword in any literary work or the final scene of a play that summarizes the main action.

• epilogue

• dramatis personae

• act

• exeunt

This refers to the main divisions of the play.

• epilogue

• dramatis personae

• act

• exeunt

A long speech spoken by a character which is addressed to other characters.

• monologue

• dialogue

• soliloquy

• aside

A speech where the speaker reveals thoughts to himself/herself or to the audience but not to other characters.

• monologue

• dialogue

• soliloquy

• aside

The exchange of words in a conversation between and among the characters.

• monologue

• dialogue

• soliloquy

• aside

The words spoken by an actor to the audience which other actors on the stage seem not to hear (but it is really intended to give a comment about them).

• monologue

• dialogue

• soliloquy

• aside

This term refers to the main character.

This refers to the part where one actor leaves the stage.