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Questions and Answers
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?
Which of the following is an example of a tragic hero?
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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
