Literary Terminology linked to Drama

A Fatal moral flaw in a protagonist of a tragedy.

• Catharsis

• Hamartia

• Hubris

• Verfremdungseffekt

An emotional release engendered by an intense experience

• Catharsis

• Hamartia

• Hubris

• Verfremdungseffekt

Overweening pride in a protagonist of a tragedy

• Catharsis

• Hamartia

• Hubris

• Verfremdungseffekt

Use of devices that disrupt the illustion of realistic theatre, such as the cast speaking or singing directly to the audience, or holding up signs or slogans.

• Catharsis

• Hamartia

• Hubris

• Verfremdungseffekt

Solo speech by a character, usually taking place when alone on stage. Allows the character's thoughts to be overheard.

• Aside

• Exeunt

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

used to show several people have left the stage

• Aside

• Exeunt

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

A remark to the audience which other characters on stage do not hear. Reveals the characters inner feelings.

• Aside

• Exeunt

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

A play that consists of the speech of one character with no other cast. Alan Bennet is famous for these.

• Aside

• Exeunt

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

A genre of plays in which apparently impossible or ridiculous events make a statement about the strangeness and irrationality of existence.

• Absurdist theatre

• Agit-Prop

• Brechtean Drama

• Classical Drama

Drama observing the rules of classical Greek and Roman Drama - following Aristotle's codification of three unities: Unity of time, unity of place, unity of plot.

• Absurdist theatre

• Agit-prop

• Brechtean Drama

• Classical Drama