Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A literary device where the intended meaning differs from the literal meaning, often creating contrast or humor. Irony is used in theatre to provoke thought or elicit reactions from the audience by highlighting contradictions in character behavior or plot outcomes.
A plot device involving abduction, commonly used in thrillers or moral dramas to create suspense and urgency.
A narrative structure where events occur in chronological order, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
A character trait indicating excessive talkativeness, often used in comedies to highlight eccentricity or humor.
Relating to the gruesome or morbid, often used in theatrical works that explore death or horror. Macabre themes are prevalent in Gothic drama and add emotional weight through dark imagery and mood.
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.