Shakespeare & Romeo and Juliet terms to know

A moment of humor meant to relieve tension during an intense scene.

• Comic Relief

• Tragedy

• Soliloquy

• Aside

Two characters whose traits are best understood when seen in comparison with each other; often brings out opposite traits.

• Foil

• Pun

• Monologue

• Allusion

A speech given by one person when he/she is ALONE on stage.

• Soliloquy

• Aside

• Dramatic Irony

• Tragic Hero

A drama that must involve the sad death of the protagonist or another major character.

• Tragedy

• Comic Relief

• Allusion

• Pun

A statement or brief speech made by one character that is meant for the audience to hear, but the other characters who are still present NOT to hear; it’s like a “secret” revealed to show a character’s thoughts or motivations.

• Aside

• Monologue

• Tragic Hero

• Dramatic Irony

A speech given by one person when others are still present on stage; other characters are usually silent during this time and a spotlight is often shone on the speaker.

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

• Allusion

• Foil

A reference to something outside the work of literature that the audience would be familiar with, often a work of art, literature, or historical event; allows the reader to make stronger connections between important ideas.

• Allusion

• Tragedy

• Comic Relief

• Pun

A character who is nobly born, but whose flaws in judgment or personality traits lead to his/her downfall.

• Tragic Hero

• Dramatic Irony

• Aside

• Soliloquy

A situation in which the reader/audience has important information that the characters do not have; creates suspense and foreshadowing.

• Dramatic Irony

• Foil

• Monologue

• Allusion

A creative “play on words” intended for humor or comic relief.

• Pun

• Tragedy

• Soliloquy

• Aside