LiteraryTerms

Drama- Something that can be performed on a stage in front of an audience. Ex. Tybalt and Mercutio fencing.

Dramatic Irony- Something the reader knows but the character or author doesn't. Ex. Romeo and Juliet kissed yet they didn't know they were enemies.

Foil- A character who sets off another character by contrast. Ex. Romeo and Tybalt are different fencers.

Soliloquy- A speech in which a character is alone on stage or expresses thoughts out loud. Ex. Juliet talking to herself on the balcony.

Aside- Words spoken by a character in the play, usually in an undertone and not intended. Ex. Romeo says "Shall I hear more, or shall i speak at this?"

Tragedy- A serious play in which the chief character, by some peculiarity of psychology, passes through a series of misfortunes leading to a final, devastating catastrophe. Ex. Hamlet.

Tragic Hero- Is the main character in a tragedy. Ex. Romeo and Juliet.

Comic Relief- A humorous scene, incident, character, or bit of dialogue occuring after some serious or tragic moment. Ex. Nurse talks with Juliet and tells her how she used to care for her.

Theme- The subject matter of a conversation or discussion. Ex. It's not easy to have a close relationship with an enemy.

Symbolism- A system of symbols representations that contrast a character or a theme. Ex. Their tights that they always were.

Foreshadowing- When something bad is going to happen. Ex. When Mercutio and Tybalt were fencing.

Allusion- A reference in one work of literature to a person, place, or event in another work of literature or in history, art, or music. Ex. Cupid