Dramatic Literary Devices
You are responsible for not only knowing the following terms,
but you must be able to identify examples of each from the play.
A dramatic device is a convention used in drama as a substitution for reality that
the audience accepts as real although they know them to be false. These techniques give
the audience information they could not get from straightforward presentation of action.
Act – Major divisions in a play.
Aside – Few words spoken in an undertone or to the audience.
It is
assumed that the other characters in the novel/play do not hear
the words, only the audience does.
Allusion – A reference to another work of art, literature, person or
event.
It is used to appeal to the reader to share some experience
with the writer.
Catharsis – Occurs at the end of a play when the audience
experiences a
great release of emotions.
Comic Relief – Comic episodes, usually in a tragedy, aimed at
relieving
the tension and heightening the tragic element by
contrast.
Contrast – The union of opposite ideas or images to clarify a scene
or
theme.
Dramatic Irony – When the audience understands the implication
and
meaning of a situation on stage, or what is being said,
but the character does not.
Fate – A “cosmic” force over which human beings have no control.
Foil – A character in a play that offsets the main character or other
characters by comparison or by ruining a plan.
Hubris/Tragic Flaw – The shortcoming in the hero that brings
about
their downfall.
Paradox – A statement that appears to be self-contradictory but,
upon
further inspection, holds some truth. Ex. “I must be cruel
only to be kind” – Hamlet.
Pathos – When the reader feels pity, tenderness or sorrow for a
character.
Scene – A sub-division in an act.
Situational Irony – When one character laughs at the
misfortune of
another character while, unbeknownst to them, they
are experiencing the same misfortune.
Soliloquy – A speech given by a single character when they are
alone.
The character expresses their thoughts and feelings.
Suspense – A state of uncertainty, anticipation, and curiosity as to
the
outcome of a story or play.
Tragedy – A form of literature that draws in its audience and causes
them to feel a sense of suffering along with the characters.