Exam 2

Question 1

Five Act Structure

Answer 1

Organizes a narrative into five distinct parts:
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution

Question 2

Catastrophe in tragedy

Answer 2

The culminating event, often a disastrous end, that resolves the plot and brings the story to its conclusion

Question 3

Iambic Pentameter

Answer 3

Ten syllables per line, with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables, creating a “da-DUM” rhythm

Question 4

Prose

Answer 4

Dialogue that does not follow a specific poetic structure

Question 5

Couplet

Answer 5

A unit of poetry consisting of two consecutive lines, typically with the same meter and usually rhyming

Question 6

Theories of Tragic Character

Answer 6

Aristotle concept: In this theory, the protagonist will mistakenly bring about his own downfall—not because he is sinful or morally weak, but because he does not know enough. Some believe it is a hubris, or some type of moral or character flaw.
Medieval concept: Tragedy was perceived as a reversal of fortune, a fall from a high position. (e.g. Macbeth and Hamlet).

Question 7

Soliloquy

Answer 7

A speech delivered by a character when they are alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts and feelings directly to the audience.

Question 8

Monologue

Answer 8

An extended speech delivered by a single character, who may be addressing other characters, the audience, or their own thoughts.

Question 9

Play-within-a-play

Answer 9

a dramatic convention where a play, or a scene within a play, is performed within the main narrative of another play.
e.g. Hamlet

Question 10

Aside

Answer 10

A short remark or speech by a character that is intended to be heard by the audience, but not by other characters on stage.

Question 11

Psychomachia (ethical conflict, usually expressed in a soliloquy)

Answer 11

The internal conflict or struggle between good and evil within the human soul (conflict of the soul)

Question 12

Main themes of Macbeth

Answer 12

1. Ambition’s Dark Side: How wanting power too much can ruin you.
2. Good vs. Evil: The struggle between right and wrong.
3. Guilt’s Heavy Toll: How feeling bad can drive you mad.
4. Chaos from Wrongdoing: When things go against nature, bad things happen.
5. Things Aren’t Always What They Seem: The difference between looks and reality.

Question 13

Main characters in Macbeth

Answer 13

Macbeth: The protagonist, a Scottish general.
Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s ambitious wife.
The Three Witches: Supernatural figures who deliver prophecies.
Banquo: A Scottish general and Macbeth’s friend.
King Duncan: The King of Scotland.
Macduff: A Scottish nobleman.
Malcolm: King Duncan’s son.

Question 14

Main themes in Hamlet

Answer 14

1. Getting Even Goes Wrong: How seeking revenge can lead to more problems.
2. Lies and What’s Real: The difficulty of knowing what’s true.
3. Thinking About Death: What it means to be alive and what happens after.
4. Is He Crazy or Not?: The question of being truly mad or just acting.

Question 15

Main characters of Hamlet

Answer 15

Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark, the protagonist.
Claudius: The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle and stepfather.
Gertrude: The Queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother and Claudius’s wife.
Polonius: The Lord Chamberlain, chief counselor to the King.
Ophelia: Polonius’s daughter, Hamlet’s love interest.
Laertes: Polonius’s son, Ophelia’s brother.
The Ghost: The spirit of Hamlet’s deceased father, King Hamlet.
Horatio: Hamlet’s loyal friend.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Courtiers, former friends of Hamlet.
Fortinbras: The Prince of Norway.
Voltemand: A courtier, sent as ambassador to Norway.
Cornelius: A courtier, sent as ambassador to Norway.
Marcellus: An officer of the watch.