Dramatic Terminology
Keys to Understanding Drama as
Literature
Characterization
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A character’s personality is revealed through
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Appearance
Speech
Thoughts (hidden or open)
Actions
Statements of others
The position of characters
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Protagonist
Antagonist
Foil
Symbol
Round
Flat
Character Motives (Motivation)
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Self-interest
Goals
Needs
Wants
Fears
?
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Irony
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Verbal Irony
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Dramatic Irony
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What is said is the opposite of what is meant
EX: Antigone tells Ismene that the laws of the gods must
mean nothing to her (to Ismene).
The reader/audience knows more than the character
EX: The audience knows who performed burial rites on
Polyneices; Creon and the Sentry do not.
Situational Irony
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The opposite of what is expected happens.
EX: The Sentry returns (with Antigone in tow) after he
swears he will never come back.
Allusion
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A reference to a familiar person, place, event,
statement, or thing that is known from
literature, history, religion, sports, science,
arts, etc.
EX: The Chorus, in Ode 2, refers to the
“gathering sorrow” that “looms” around the
children of Oedipus.
Contemporary ex: Speaking of building an
ark when it rains for days.
Metaphor & Simile
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Metaphor
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Speaking of something/someone as something
else (transformational)
EX: Creon calling Ismene a “snake… sucking
(his) blood stealthily”
Simile
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Comparison using “like” or “as”
EX: Chorus saying that, for the house of Oedipus,
"damnation… rises like a wave cresting…”
Tone
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The attitude a writer takes toward a
character, a subject, or the reader.
Comes through details and words
EX: Antigone: “Ah, Creon, / Think me a fool, if
you like; but it may well be / That a fool
convicts me of folly.”
Imagery
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Language that appeals to the senses
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2)
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Performance Techniques
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Verbal
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Nonverbal vocal (expression)
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Enunciation, pace
Pitch, rate, volume, tone
Nonverbal physical (body language)
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Facial expressions
Eye contact
Gestures, postures, movements
Greek Tragedy Outline
Climax / Turning Point
Catastrophe
Catharsis
Prologue
Exodos
Scenes in Greek Tragedy
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Prologue
Parodos
First Episode
First Stasimon
Second Episode
Second Stasimon
Third Episode
Third Stasimon
Fourth Episode
Fourth Stasimon
Exodos
Tragedy
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Character wins sympathy of audience;
Character falls due to
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Tragic flaw
Circumstances beyond his/her control;
Character discovers him/her true self;
Character is defeated.
Choral Odes
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Strophe (right to left)
Antistrophe (left to right)
Purposes
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Commentary
Division
Reflection
Connection/ Allusion