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Questions and Answers
What do the glass unicorn, the rocking horse, and the road have in common?
What do the glass unicorn, the rocking horse, and the road have in common?
What is the term for a weakness or limitation of character that leads to the fall of a tragic hero?
What is the term for a weakness or limitation of character that leads to the fall of a tragic hero?
Which of the following is an example of a tragic hero?
Which of the following is an example of a tragic hero?
What is the term for a play that features only two actors?
What is the term for a play that features only two actors?
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What is the term for the concept that a play should have a single storyline, occur in a single location, and take place within a short time period?
What is the term for the concept that a play should have a single storyline, occur in a single location, and take place within a short time period?
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Which of the following is an example of a play that embodies the unities?
Which of the following is an example of a play that embodies the unities?
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Who argued that Oedipus the King embodies the unities?
Who argued that Oedipus the King embodies the unities?
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What is the term for a privileged, exalted character of high repute who suffers a fall from glory into suffering?
What is the term for a privileged, exalted character of high repute who suffers a fall from glory into suffering?
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What is the term for the idea that a character's downfall is the result of their own error or flaw?
What is the term for the idea that a character's downfall is the result of their own error or flaw?
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What is the term for a dramatic genre that presents a conflict between a heroic individual and a superior force?
What is the term for a dramatic genre that presents a conflict between a heroic individual and a superior force?
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Study Notes
Conflict in Drama
- Inner Conflict: Characters, such as the Policeman in Lady Gregory's The Rising of the Moon, grapple with moral dilemmas and personal struggles.
- Antagonism: Conflict often manifests through confrontations with opposing characters, such as the dynamic between the Policeman and the ballad singer.
Denouement
- Definition: Resolution phase of a narrative where the plot is unraveled.
- Example: In Hamlet, the denouement occurs amidst a scene of death and chaos, featuring speeches from Fortinbras and Horatio.
Dialogue
- Structure: Character speech is typically indicated by their names in plays, aiding in clarity and character development.
Diction
- Significance: The choice of words reflects character traits, attitudes, themes, and values.
- Character-Specific Diction: For instance, Iago's and Desdemona's contrasting speech styles in Othello illustrate differing character perspectives.
Dramatic Monologue
- Concept: A speech delivered by a character addressing a silent listener, allowing insight into their thoughts.
Dramatic Irony
- Definition: A situation where the audience possesses knowledge that the characters do not, creating tension and anticipation.
- Example: In Macbeth, the title of Thane of Cawdor is a point of dramatic irony.
Exposition
- Purpose: Introduces background information essential for understanding plot dynamics, as seen in Ibsen's A Doll's House.
Falling Action
- Definition: The events that follow the climax, steering the narrative towards its resolution; in Othello, it begins after Othello uncovers Iago's deceit.
Farce
- Characteristics: A comedic genre marked by exaggerated situations, buffoonery, and absurdity.
Flashback
- Function: An interruption to present past events, enriching character backgrounds and plot complexity; used by Faulkner in A Rose for Emily.
Foil
- Role: A character designed to highlight contrasting attributes of another character, enhancing thematic elements.
Motif vs. Theme
- Motif: A recurring element that may be captured in a word or phrase, like blood in A Tale of Two Cities.
- Theme: A complete statement expressing a significant idea.
Multiple Roles
- Concept: One actor portraying several characters, which can enhance narrative depth or arise from production constraints.
Pathos
- Definition: An emotional appeal that evokes pity, commonly found in tragic narratives.
Recognition
- Moment of Clarity: When a character gains a true understanding of their circumstances, exemplified by Oedipus in Oedipus the King.
Resolution
- Function: The concluding portion of a story where plot details are resolved.
Reversal
- Definition: An unexpected turn in the narrative that alters the protagonist's path, often linked to moments of recognition.
Rising Action
- Definition: The build-up of events leading to the climax, establishing stakes and direction.
Setting
- Context: The specific time and place establishing the backdrop of the narrative, essential for thematic development; e.g., Cisneros's works set in the American Southwest.
Slapstick
- Definition: A type of comedy characterized by exaggerated physical actions.
Soliloquy
- Definition: A dramatic device where a character speaks thoughts aloud for the audience's insight.
Stage Direction
- Purpose: Descriptive comments by playwrights that guide performance aspects like movement, dialogue, and setting.
Staging
- Elements: The combination of actors' positions, scenic backgrounds, props, costumes, and effects contributing to the theatrical presentation.
Subplot
- Concept: A secondary plot running parallel to the main storyline, enriching the overarching narrative, as seen with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Hamlet.
Symbol
- Definition: An object or action representing broader ideas or themes within a narrative, like the glass unicorn in The Glass Menagerie.
Tragic Flaw
- Concept: A character's intrinsic weakness leading to their downfall, exemplified by Othello's jealousy.
Tragic Hero
- Definition: A noble character whose downfall is attributed to a tragic flaw, like Oedipus.
Two-Hander
- Definition: A play designed for two actors, often focusing on dialogue and interaction.
Unities
- Principles: The classical idea that a play should maintain unity of time, place, and action, advocating for a single, coherent narrative experience.
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Description
Test your understanding of literary devices in Lady Gregory's one-act play The Rising of the Moon. Identify the types of conflict, denouement, and dialogue in this literary work.
