Elements of Drama
Elements of Tragedy
Structure
Terms
William Shakespeare
100

A major action that changes/determines the play's outcome; sometimes defined as "the most exciting part"

climax

100
The tragic hero of Julius Caesar

Brutus

100
In a five act play, this act usually contains the falling action

IV (four)

100

The main character who drives the action of the play is called the 

protagonist

100

Shakespeare in addition to writing plays, Shakespeare also wrote

poetry

200

The action of a play is called the

plot

200

A serious drama in which the protagonist suffers a catastrophe

tragedy

200

In a five act play, this act usually contains the exposition

I (one)

200

The force or character that opposes the protagonist

Antagonist

200

During the Elizabethan era, plays were written for this audience

Anyone who could pay to attend (very rich, middle class)

300
The theme of Julius Caesar is that

acting impulsively often leads to disaster

300

Defined as a serious character weakness

tragic flaw

300

In a five act play, this act usually contains the rising action

II (two)
300

A long speech by one actor in a play or movie

monologue

300

Shakespeare's plays are typically structured into ___ acts

5

400
A play, novel, or other narrative depicting serious and important events in which the main character comes to an unhappy end is called 

a tragedy

400

A literary term used to describe a text that mirrors real life 

verisimilitude

400

In a five act play, this act usually contains the resolution

V (five)

400

An event or detail that is inappropriate for the time period

anachronism

400

Shakespeare wrote ___ plays.

38

500

Brutus's tragic flaw in Julius Caesar is

impulsive, trusting, noble
500
A term associated with tragedies that means "what's done is done or fate is inevitable"

tragic irretrievability

500

In a five act play, this act usually contains the climax or turning point

III (three)

500

verse without rhyme, especially that which uses iambic pentameter.

blank verse

500

Julius Caesar was written in what year?

1599

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