MATHIAS Shakespeare/Drama Terms

a distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition

The last words in two consecutive lines rhyme

Two or more characters converse with each other on stage

Hubris means...

A similarity between words in spelling but not in pronunciation; should rhyme, but don't

a 14 line poem (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG)

a negative trait that leads to the downfall of the protagonist/hero

A playwright's descriptive comments that provide the reader with information and/or action

A character of noble birth who is brought to ruin or suffering

a drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers sorrow

The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one

a line of verse with five metrical feet (one short syllable followed by one long syllable)

Question: Why did the coffee pot file the police report? Answer: It got mugged.

Fate (or the gods) play a role in the outcome of the characters' lives

A character speaks to another character on stage (while other characters do not hear)

A word or phrase open to multiple interpretations; usually dirty

Four lines of alternating rhyme (ABAB)

Breaks up heavy, intense drama in a play

A character delivers a speech while alone on stage to expose thoughts/feelings/plans

A character who highlights positive/negative traits in the protagonist

A character delivers a speech to multiple characters

Words that don't rhyme exactly, but the poet intended for them to rhyme