Name: _____________________________________________________________
Terms for Studying American Drama
1. Drama – a text that is meant to be performed (play)
2. Act – a division within a play, like a chapter for a novel. The first act generally serves
as the exposition, while the final act serves as the climax and resolution. The middle
acts feature rising action intense conflict.
3. Scene – a small division within an act (Act 1, scene ii)
4. Scenery – structures that convey the play’s general setting (building, forest, etc);
adds to the overall aesthetics of the performance
5. Cast – list of players or characters
6. Dialogue – the lines the characters speak
7. Stage directions – notes within the text of the play that direct the actors’
movements, gestures, facial expressions, etc. They are usually italicized and not to
be read aloud.
8. Props – objects that are found on a stage during a performance; usually props are
symbolic of a theme in the drama
9. Fourth wall – the imaginary wall at the edge of the stage that separates the actors
from the audience
10. Foil – a character that has qualities that are opposite another major character; a foil
is normally used to accentuate the protagonist.
11. Dramatic irony – when the audience knows something the characters don’t; like
when we knew Juliet wasn’t really dead, but Romeo did not.
12. Situational irony – events that were unpredictable come true, sort of like a
coincidence; like when Romeo and Juliet fall in love- the fact that their families
absolutely despise each other makes their situation ironic.
13. Verbal irony – when a character says one thing but means the opposite (sarcasm)
14. Tragedy – a drama in which most of the major characters die because someone fails
to learn a lesson in a timely manner
15. Tragic hero – the flawed protagonist in a tragedy; the one who learns the lesson too
late to save him/herself and others
16. Tragic flaw – the weakness a tragic hero possesses
17. Comedy – a drama that is humorous throughout
18. Farce – similar to comedy; an extremely silly, outlandish situation
19. Comic relief – a funny moment in a serious drama (or the character who delivers
the comic relief); Mercutio or the nurse in R & J
20. Political drama – a play that aims to deliver a commentary about a political issue
(The Crucible)
21. Monologue – a long speech given by a character on stage
22. Soliloquy – a long speech given by a character on stage; not intended for others, just
used to reveal a character’s thoughts/feelings
23. Round character – a complicated character with depth; seems like a real person
24. Flat character – a predictable, minor character; usually a stereotype like the “dumb
jock” or “dumb blonde”
25. Satire – literature or drama that makes fun of human behavior, especially with
regard to politics or religion