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Drama
English- Drama/Theater Elements
71
English
Undergraduate 1
03/25/2012

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Term
One-act Plays
Definition
The entire play takes place in a single location and unfolds as one continuous action
Term
Acts
Definition

In a full-length play

Like segments or chapters of a book

Accomodate changes in time, setting, character or mood

Term
Scenes
Definition
These are what Acts are divided into
Term
Conventions
Definition
Acts and scenes are examples of these, which are understood and accepted by the audience because they are familiar techniques
Term
Setting
Definition
Location, explained at the beginning of the play
Term
Exposition
Definition
Background information
Term
Conflict
Definition
Struggle between characters
Term
Plot
Definition
Action of the play
Term
Subplot
Definition
Secondary action that reinforces or contrasts with the main plot
Term
Protagonist
Definition
The main character (the central or primary personal figure) of a literary piece of writing and whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to share the most empathy
Term
Antagonist
Definition
The character that is the enemy or rival of the protagonist
Term
Foil
Definition
A character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight various features of that other character's personality, throwing these characteristics into sharper focus
Term
Stage Directions
Definition
Playwright's instructions about how the actors are to move and behave
Term
Theme
Definition
Central idea of the play
Term
Pyramidal Pattern
Definition
Plot is divided into three essential parts
Term
3 Parts of Pyramidal Pattern
Definition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Term
Rising Action
Definition
Complication creates conflict for the protagonist leading to tension that builds to the climax
Term
Climax
Definition
The 2nd major division when the action reaches a final crisis
Term
Crisis
Definition
A turning point that has a powerful effect on the protagonist
Term
Falling Action
Definition

3rd part of pyramidal pattern

Tensions are diminished in the resolution (denouement) of the plot's conlicts and complications

Term
Layout of Pyramidal Pattern
Definition
Exposition -> Rising Action -> Climax -> Falling Action -> Denouement
Term
Sophocles
Definition
1 of Athens' greatest playwrights, wrote 123 plays, used 3 actors instead of traditional 2, increased chorus size from 12 to 15, first to use painted backdrops for scenery, told a complete story in a single play
Term
3 of Sophocle's Surviving Plays
Definition
Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone
Term
4 of Sophocle's Tragedies
Definition
Philoctetes, Ajax, Maidens of Trachis, Electra
Term
Playwrights
Definition
Writer who makes plays
Term
Plays
Definition
Written to be performed by actors on a stage
Term
Drama
Definition
Derived from Greek word dran meaning "to perform", "to do"
Term
Closet Dramas
Definition
Written to be read rather than performed, focused on literary art
Term
Athens Invented
Definition
Democracy in ancient Greece
Term
Democracy
Definition

The free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the people

Greeks did not consider everyone equal though (slaves and women not)

Term
Dionysus
Definition
Greek drama presented at festivals honoring him, wine and fertility god, son of Zeus, killed allegedly by Zeus' jealous wife, life cycle and seasonal change
Term
Thespis
Definition
1st recorded winner of best tragedy contest in 534 B.C., wrote and performed his play, where the word thespian came from
Term
Chorus
Definition
Group of singers/dancers who interact and respond to the actor-usually about 12 to 15 men
Term
Prologue
Definition
1st monologue of the play
Term
Functions of Chorus
Definition
Formed a collective character who expressed opinions, gave advice, expressed author's point of view, standard for judging characters
Term
Theatron
Definition
Seeing place, origin of the word theatre
Term
Skene
Definition
Origin of word scenery and scene, also where actors would rest or go to change costumes when not on stage
Term
Orchestra
Definition
Dancing place where the chorus entered and exited through the parados
Term
Greek Comedy
Definition
Usually concerned with politics or art, questions of war and peace, or persons or practices disliked by author
Term
Prologue
Definition
Introduces exposition
Term
Parodos
Definition
Entry of chorus
Term
Episodas
Definition
Episodes
Term
Stasimon
Definition
Choral ode in which the chorus responds to and interprets the preceding dialogue 
Term
Exodus
Definition
Last scene
Term
Tragedy
Definition
Presents courageous individuals who confront powerful forces within or outside themselves with a dignity that reveals breadth and depth of the human spirit in the face of failure, defeat and even death
Term
Hamartia
Definition
Weakness
Term
Tragic Flaw
Definition
Protagonist's character trait that leads directly to disaster
Term
Hubris/ Hybris
Definition
Fated
Term
Catharsis
Definition
Purgation of the emotions of "pity and fear"
Term
Reversal
Definition
The point when the hero's fortunes turn in an unexpected direction
Term
Dramatic Irony or Tragic Irony
Definition
Moments in the plot when what seems to be turns out to be radically different from what actually is 
Term
Shakespeare's Birth
Definition
Born on Stratford-on-Avon on April 23, 1564
Term
Shakespeare's Death
Definition
April 23, 1616
Term
Mystery Plays
Definition
Dramatize stories from the Bible
Term
Miracle Plays
Definition
Based on the lives of saints
Term
Morality Plays
Definition
Present allegorical (symbolic) stories in which virtues and vices are personified to teach salvation
Term
3 Categories of Shakespeare's Plays
Definition
Tragedies, comedies and histories
Term
Satires
Definition
Focus critically on vices by ridiculing them so they can be avoided or corrected
Term
Costumes
Definition
Maintaining an adequate wardrobe was one of the greatest expenses of theatre
Term
Acting Company
Definition
All members were male until 1661
Term
Aside
Definition
A speech directed only to the audience, it allows the audience in the character's thoughts
Term
Soliloquy
Definition
A speech delivered while an actor is alone on the stage, reveals a character's state of mind
Term
Modern Drama Back History
Definition
Industrial revolution, workers lived near factories which created large audiences seeking entertainment
Term
Realism
Definition
A literary technique that attempts to create the appearance of life as it is actually experienced
Term
Melodrama
Definition
Literally means "music drama"
Term
Realism and Naturalism
Definition
Grounded in scientific outlook, understand human behavior in terms of cause and effect, verified by five senses
Term
Naturalism
Definition
More extreme version of realism, character determined by environment, plays dealt with bad social conditions like poverty, disease, prostitution and illegitimate children 
Term
Moscow Art Theatre
Definition
Founded by Konstantin Stanislavsky
Term
Stanislavsky Acting Techniques
Definition

1. Actor's body and voice trained and flexible to respond to all demands

2. Act truthfully, skilled observer of human behavior

3. Actor should understand character's motivations, goals

4. Actors must become part of the world of the play

5. Actor should concentrate moment by moment as if events were happening the first or last time

Term
Well-made Play
Definition
Uses conventions, suspense thru meticulous plotting, extensive exposition, tension released
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