Dramatic Terms
Soliloquy
Definition- a single character on stage thinking out loud. It lets the audience know what is in the character's mind.
"He jests at a scar that never felt a wound.
But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off." (II.ii.1-9)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole by letting the audience see inside the character's mind, and what his or her personal thoughts are. This allows the audience to grasp a firmer concept at what is going on throughout the play.
Dramatic Irony
Definition-Irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.
"Hah, let me see her. Out alas, she's cold,
Her blood is settled, and her joints are stiff:
Life and those lips have long been separated;
Death lies on her like an untimely frost
Upon the sweetest flower of all the field." (IV.v.25-29)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole because it allows him to communicate with the audience without the characters knowing. The audience will become more involved as they, for example, try to tell the characters in the play that Juliet is not truly dead.
Comedy/Humour
Definition- a play, movie, or television program that is funny and has a happy ending.
"A crutch, a crutch! why call you for a sword?" (I.i.70)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole because it allows him to give comic relief to the audience in times when there has been to much tragedy. It also gets the audience intrigued with what is happening in the play.
Tragedy
Definition- a serious play having an unhappy ending
"Go get thee hence, for I will not away.
What's here? a cup clos'd in my true love's hand?
Poison I see hath been his timeless end.
Oh churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips,
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make me die with a restorative.
Thy lips are warm." (V.iii.160-167)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole because it intrigues the audience and gets them hooked on the play. The tragedies play on the minds of the audience members and make them want to be more involved. As well, they will express more emotions.
Foreshadowing
Definition- the use of clues or hints suggesting events that will occur later in the plot. It helps the reader or audience anticipate the outcome.\
"Your lives shall pay the forfeit of peace." (I.i.91)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole by providing the audience a look at what will happen in the future parts of the play.
Definition- a single character on stage thinking out loud. It lets the audience know what is in the character's mind.
"He jests at a scar that never felt a wound.
But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off." (II.ii.1-9)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole by letting the audience see inside the character's mind, and what his or her personal thoughts are. This allows the audience to grasp a firmer concept at what is going on throughout the play.
Dramatic Irony
Definition-Irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.
"Hah, let me see her. Out alas, she's cold,
Her blood is settled, and her joints are stiff:
Life and those lips have long been separated;
Death lies on her like an untimely frost
Upon the sweetest flower of all the field." (IV.v.25-29)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole because it allows him to communicate with the audience without the characters knowing. The audience will become more involved as they, for example, try to tell the characters in the play that Juliet is not truly dead.
Comedy/Humour
Definition- a play, movie, or television program that is funny and has a happy ending.
"A crutch, a crutch! why call you for a sword?" (I.i.70)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole because it allows him to give comic relief to the audience in times when there has been to much tragedy. It also gets the audience intrigued with what is happening in the play.
Tragedy
Definition- a serious play having an unhappy ending
"Go get thee hence, for I will not away.
What's here? a cup clos'd in my true love's hand?
Poison I see hath been his timeless end.
Oh churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips,
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make me die with a restorative.
Thy lips are warm." (V.iii.160-167)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole because it intrigues the audience and gets them hooked on the play. The tragedies play on the minds of the audience members and make them want to be more involved. As well, they will express more emotions.
Foreshadowing
Definition- the use of clues or hints suggesting events that will occur later in the plot. It helps the reader or audience anticipate the outcome.\
"Your lives shall pay the forfeit of peace." (I.i.91)
Shakespeare uses this device to enhance the play as a whole by providing the audience a look at what will happen in the future parts of the play.