Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
An artist’s greatest work, often referenced in biographies or dramatizations about creative achievement and legacy.
A written statement declaring the artistic or political intentions of a theatrical movement or company.
A nobleman ranking below a duke, appearing in period dramas to represent hierarchy, tradition, or romantic intrigue.
A powerful female figure who leads a family or social group, often featured in dramatic works as a symbol of strength, tradition, or authority. Matriarchs play pivotal roles in both classical and contemporary theatre as central moral or emotional anchors.
A mood or character trait in drama denoting sadness, introspection, or despair, often linked to tragic figures.
A literary device comparing two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' used in theatre to add symbolic meaning. Metaphors enhance subtext and deepen character understanding.
A small-scale representation of a larger concept, often used in plays to explore universal themes through confined settings.
A character or theme reflecting a distrust or dislike of humanity, explored in comedic and philosophical dramas.
Mock-Heroic is a literary and theatrical style in which trivial or absurd subjects are treated with the elevated seriousness and grandeur usually reserved for epic or classical heroes. By exaggerating tone and form, it creates comic contrast between lofty language or music and the silliness of the actual situation. For example, in Princess Ida, Gilbert & Sullivan use mock-heroic style in Ida’s Shakespearean speeches and her brothers’ bombastic trio “We Are Warriors Three.”
The emotional atmosphere created by the elements of a performance, influencing how audiences feel and interpret events.
Morality refers to the principles and values that guide a person’s sense of right and wrong behavior. It shapes decisions, actions, and judgments based on cultural, personal, or societal standards. In drama, morality often drives character motivations and conflicts, revealing deeper themes about ethics and human nature.
Relating to death or disease, often used to describe the tone or themes in dark or tragic plays. Morbid elements in theatre provoke reflection and emotional impact.