| act | a major unit in a play |
| scene | subdivision of an act in a play |
| stage direction | instructions written by a playwright that describes the appearance and actions of characters |
| cast | a list of characters who are in literary works |
| tragic hero | most important hero in a tragey |
| tragic flaw | potential for greatness but inevitably is doomed to fail |
| farce | type of comedy with stereotyped characters |
| spectacle | scenery, costumes and special effects in a play |
| character | individual in literary work |
| monologue | long speech by a character in literary work |
| soliloquy | long speech by a character who is alone on stage, reveals private thoughts of a character |
| aside | character’s comment that is directed to the audience |
| pernicious | Def: destructive; deadlyPOS: adjectiveText: “You men, you beasts that quench the fire of your pernicious rage with purple fountains issuing from your veins!” (Shakespeare 656)OG: The hurricane was pernicious. |
| posterity | Def: future generationsPOS: nounText: “She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste; for beauty starv’d with her severity cuts beauty off from all posterity.” (Shakespeare 661)OG: Your posterity is determined by you. |
| anguish | Def: extreme suffering; agonyPOS: nounText: Tut, man, one fire burns out another’s burning; one pain is less’ned by another’s anguish; turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning; one desperate grief cures with another’s languish.” (Shakespeare 663)OG: His anguish was unbearable to watch |
| profane | Def: to degrade or disrespect something holy or importantPOS: verbText: “If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.” (Shakespeare 675)OG: Do no profane the church with your rough housing. |
Romeo and Juliet #1
November 29, 2019