Dramatic Irony

Occurs when the reader knows a secret, but the characters in a play or work of fiction do not. Therefore, the words or actions of a character carry a special meaning for the reader but are understood differently by the character.  The characters are blind to facts, but the reader is not.

Nemesis

Is applied to justice, which comes about when an evil act brings about its own punishment and poetic justice prevails.

Paradox

Is a device used to attract the reader’s attention.  It is a statement that seems contradictory or absurd, but well-founded and true at the same time.

Soliloquy

Is a speech given by a character in a play when the speaker is alone. This is presented to inform the audience or reader of what is happening in the mind of a character and to give information about the action of the play.

Pathetic Fallacy

Is a device used by poets and writers whereby nature mirrors the political condition of society. Pathos is a situation that elicits pity from the audience.

Aside

A speech made by an actor DIRECTLY TO THE AUDIENCE, but seemingly to himself or herself.  It is always a true reflection of the character’s thoughts. Its function is to reveal character.

Tragedy

A type of drama of human conflict which ends in defeat and suffering. Often the main character (dignified, noble) has a tragic flaw (weakness of character, wrong judgment) that leads to his or her destruction. Sometimes the conflict is with forces beyond the control of the character – fate, evil in the world.

Foreshadow

A hint or warning of things to come, making specific events in the plot seems more probable as they unfold.

Imagery

Using images to describe or compare something, so that the reader forms a picture in his or her mind.

Hamartia

Is an ancient Greek theatre term meaning the error, frailty, mistaken judgment or misstep through which the fortunes of the hero of a tragedy are reversed. Hamartia must express itself through a definite action, or, failure to perform a definite action. Hamartia can result from bad judgment, a bad character,  ignorance, inherited weakness, or accident.  This error does not always result from an error in character.

Tragic Hero

The tragedy is about WASTE, a waste of people and a waste of unrealized potential.  Hamlet has high individual potential, which is wasted by an individual weakness that significantly affects others.  If Hamlet’s potential had been realized, he would have been a hero.  Unrealized potential is the difference between a successful versus an unsuccessful quest.

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Shanny :)
Shanny :)
10 years ago

I find this really helpfull thanks guys..thanks much..now my homework is done 🙂

jenell rodriques
jenell rodriques
11 years ago

My teacher is teaching a topic and she uses this topic all time.

rianna robinson
rianna robinson
11 years ago

this helps alot thx guys sooooo much ma teacher uses this subject alot this really helps thx sooooooooooo much

Jazmine M.
Jazmine M.
9 months ago

Wish me good luck on my English assignment

jenell rodriques
jenell rodriques
11 years ago

This information is super thanks for helping me out.

Nathan Levy-Rabstein
Nathan Levy-Rabstein
6 years ago

Rather helpful, cheers!

EMMIE
EMMIE
10 years ago

THNX GUYZ THIS IS SO HELPFUL

Matthew
Matthew
8 years ago

Wow, thanks so much this really helped me for my essay!!!!!!

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

Thank you for the info on Dramatic devices its really helpful

Sandhiya A.
Sandhiya A.
Reply to  Charles
5 years ago

Of course! Thanks

Niki
Niki
6 years ago

It was really useful for us

Tahera B.
Tahera B.
8 years ago

Thank you sooo much

Katie
Katie
2 years ago

Very helpful

Eseoghene umukoro
Eseoghene umukoro
11 months ago

Thank you for this

sky
sky
1 year ago

very helpful with my English assessment

Drew H.
Drew H.
Reply to  sky
9 months ago

same!!!!

Bryan B.
Bryan B.
Reply to  Drew H.
7 months ago

not really didnt explain with examples

Jay
Jay
Reply to  sky
3 months ago

Thank you,it is helpful for my english research work!

Anati
Anati
1 year ago

very helpful but not explained clearly

Bryan B.
Bryan B.
Reply to  Anati
7 months ago

right

Ikimat
Ikimat
2 years ago

Thank you very much am very grateful

crystal O
crystal O
9 months ago

This helped a lot, thx for the help, I needed it!

Kris
Kris
28 days ago

Thank god for this!

Ella
Ella
3 months ago

Thanks for giving me answers to my homework

tay
tay
3 months ago

this is the best

Benson Benjamin.m.
Benson Benjamin.m.
Reply to  tay
9 days ago

Good but not that much satisfactory because little
information has been given.
But thanks.👻