Drama Terms

The action at the end of a tragedy that initiates the denouement or falling action of a play. 

A struggle between opposing forces in a story or play,usually resolved by the end of the work. 

A narrative written to be performed rather than read.

The internal or external driving force which causes a character to act.

The purging of the feelings of pity and fear that occur in the audience of tragic drama. 

A type of drama in which the characters experience reversals of fortune for the worse. 

The conversation of characters in a literary work. 

The audience understands the situation but the characters don't. 

A long speech given by a character alone on the stage. 

The use of a scene to interrupt a succession ofintensely tragic dramatic moments. 

A long speech by a single character to othercharacters on the stage.

A character who contrasts and parallels the maincharacter in a play or story. 

Descriptive comments thatprovide information about the setting and action of a play.. 

Noble character who, by virtue of a tragic flaw, suffers a fall from gloryinto suffering. 

Words spoken directly to the audience,which are not "heard" by the other characters on stage/  

A weakness or limitation of character, resulting in the fall of the tragic hero. 

Major division in a play. There are usually 5 in a tragedy.