Reading Shakesphere vocab (drama)

in general, tragedy involves the ruin of the leading characters. To the Greeks, it meant the destruction of some noble person through fate, To the Elizabethans, it meant in the first place death and in the second place the destruction of some noble person through a flaw in his character. Today it may not involve death so much as a dismal life, Modern tragedy often shows the tragedy no of the strong and noble buy of the weak and mean.

is lighter drama in which the leading characters overcome the difficulties which temporarily beset them

drama of social criticism discusses social, economic, or political problems by means of a play

when comedy involves ridiculous or hilarious complications without regard for human values, it becomes farce.

comedy which wittily portrays fashionable life

A play sometimes, but not always, in comic spirit in which the author gives free reign to his fantasy, allowing things to happen without regard to reality.

Like farce, melodrama pays almost no attention to human values, but its object is to give a thrill instead of a laugh. Often good entertainment, never any literary value.

dealt with Bible stories and allergorical mysteries

dealt directly with historical scenes and characters

were slight plays involving much singing and dancing and costuming.
They were allegorical.

an indirect reference by causally mentioning something that is generally familiar (in literature we find many allusions to mythology, the Bible, history, etc.)

a light play with a happy ending

a bit of humor injected into a serious play to relieve the heavy tension of tragic events

the turning point in the plot (this occurs when events develop either for or against the main character and a crucial decision must be made)

occurs when the audience knows something that the character on stage is not aware

lines that give a hint or clue to future events (it doesn't tell the future but it hints at it)

~ a method of expression in which the ordinary meaning of the word is opposite to the thought in the speaker's mind
~ events contrary to what would be naturally expected

an implied comparison between two different things: identifying a person or object as the thing to which it is being compared
EXAMPLE: 'it is the east and juliet is the sun; - 'tossed on the sea of life;

a figure of speech whereby the name of a thing is substituted for the attribute which it suggests.
EXAMPLE: the pen (power of literature of the written word) is mightier than the sword (force)

agent of retribution (the person who punishes)

giving the quality of life to inanimate things

the operation of justice in a play with fair distribution of rewards for good deeds and punishment for wrong doing

an expressed comparison between two different things using 'like or 'as'
EXAMPLE: 'eyes twinkle like stars' - 'as loud as the roaring sea'

a single character on stage thinking out loud (a way of letting the audience know what is in the character's mind)

a serious play having a unhappy ending

a character trait that leads one to his/her own downfall or destruction

lines whispered to the audience or to another character on stage (not meant to be heard by all the characters on stage)

the final event in a drama (a death in a tragedy or a marriage in a comedy)