The Greek philosopher who described the key elements of a play.
Who is Aristotle?
100
That which explains the where, when, why, and who in a play.
What is exposition?
100
The series of related events that take place in a play, including the development and resolution of the major conflict.
What is plot?
100
The main character of a play.
What is protagonist?
100
A basic idea that gives unity and purpose to a play.
What is theme?
200
Aristotle suggested that drama should be restriced to events taking place within this time period
What is one day?
200
An explanation of events that have occured before the action of the play begins
What is preliminary situation or antecedent action?
200
The scene where the conflict begins.
What is initial incident?
200
The person or force opposing the protagonist.
What is antagonist?
200
A lesson or principle taught by some plays
What is moral?
300
These French and Italian dramatists relied on the use of the three unities.
Who are the Neoclassicists?
300
The emotional feeling of a play
What is mood?
300
The place in the plot where the problem gets worse and we are introduced to all main characters.
What is rising action?
300
The spoken lines of a play
What is dialogue?
300
The basis of all drama; Georges Polti suggests 36 of them.
What is Dramatic Situations?
400
Aristotle said the key elements of a play were plot, character, diction, thought/feeling, sound, and this.
What is spectacle?
400
A group of characters who are used in some forms of drama to inform the audience of the preliminary situation.
What is the chorus?
400
Term that describes the untangling complications in a play and the resolution of these complications.
What is denoument/conclusion?
400
The reason behind each action of a character
What is motivation?
400
Theme can be conveyed through this.
What is character's speech, actions, or the title of the play?
500
Traditional structure that frames the stage, separating it from the auditorium.
What is proscenium arch?
500
In ancient Greek theatre, a scene presented by silent, unmoving actors, showign the results of a violent act; used because Greek theatre prohibited scenes of violence on stage.
What is tableau?
500
The turning point in a play.
What is climax?
500
A speech in which an actor, alone onstage, thinks aloud, sharing his or her character's thoughts and motives with the audience.
What is soliloquy?
500
The theme of a play like Romeo and Juliet might be this.