Shakespearean Drama Lesson

What is a tragedy?

• a drama that ends in catastrophe - most often in death - for the main character(s).

• familiar character types that appear over and over in literature

• the process of releasing, and thereby providing release from strong, repressed emotions.

What is an archetype?

• a drama that ends in catastrophe - most often in death - for the main character(s).

• familiar character types that appear over and over in literature

• the process of releasing, and thereby providing release from strong, repressed emotions.

What is catharsis?

• a drama that ends in catastrophe - most often in death - for the main character(s).

• familiar character types that appear over and over in literature

• the process of releasing, and thereby providing release from strong, repressed emotions.

What is a soliloquy?

• a long speech given by a character to other characters and expressing what the character is thinking and feeling

• a character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character that others on stage do not hear.

• a speech given by a character alone on stage, letting the audience know what the character is thinking and feeling.

What is an aside?

• a long speech given by a character to other characters and expressing what the character is thinking and feeling

• a character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character that others on stage do not hear.

• a speech given by a character alone on stage, letting the audience know what the character is thinking and feeling.

What is a monologue?

• a long speech given by a character to other characters and expressing what the character is thinking and feeling

• a character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character that others on stage do not hear.

• a speech given by a character alone on stage, letting the audience know what the character is thinking and feeling.

What is dramatic irony?

• when the audience knows more than the characters

• a character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character that others on stage do not hear.

• a speech given by a character alone on stage, letting the audience know what the character is thinking and feeling.

What are stage directions?

• a short summary of the scene found at the beginning of each one.

• indications of where a scene takes place as well as who’s on stage and what they’re doing.

• notes in the margin of the play to help clarify meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases

What is a synopsis?

• a short summary of the scene found at the beginning of each one.

• indications of where a scene takes place as well as who’s on stage and what they’re doing.

• notes in the margin of the play to help clarify meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases

What are marginal notes (also called side glosses)?

• a short summary of the scene found at the beginning of each one.

• indications of where a scene takes place as well as who’s on stage and what they’re doing.

• notes in the margin of the play to help clarify meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases