Allusion:

A reference, explicit or implicit, to something in previous literature or history. In literature, it’s frequently used to reference cultural works (e.g. by alluding to a Bible story or Greek myth).

Aside:

A brief speech in which a character turns from the person being addressed to speak directly to the audience; a dramatic device for letting the audience know what a character is really thinking or feeling as opposed to what the character pretends to think or feel.

Catharsis:

The purging of the feelings of pity and fear that, according to Aristotle, occur in the audience of tragic drama. The audience experiences catharsis at the end of the play, following the catastrophe.

Climax:

The turning point in a story, at which the end result becomes inevitable, usually where something suddenly goes terribly wrong; the “dramatic high point” of a story.

Comic Relief:

A humorous incident introduced into a serious literary work in order to relieve dramatic tension or heighten emotional impact.

Dialogue:

Where characters speak to one another; may often be used to substitute for exposition. Since there is so little stage direction in Shakespeare, many of the characters’ thoughts and actions are revealed through dialogue.

Equivocation:

Commonly known as “doublespeak,” equivocation is the use of vague language to hide one’s meaning or to avoid committing to a point of view. The two essential elements of equivocation are: ambiguous language and an effort (conscious or unconscious) to deceive others.

Hubris:

Overbearing and excessive pride.

Mood:

The atmosphere or emotional condition created by the piece, within the setting. (Note that mood is a literary element, not a technique; the mood must therefore be described or identified. It would be incorrect to simply state, “The author uses mood.”) The mood of Macbeth is dark, murky and mysterious, creating a sense of fear and uncertainty.

Motif:

A recurring important idea or image. A motif differs from a theme in that it can be expressed as a single word or fragmentary phrase, while a theme usually must be expressed as a complete sentence.

Soliloquy:

A device often used in drama where by a character relates his or her thoughts and feelings to him/herself and to the audience.

Structure:

The manner in which the various elements of a story are assembled. The play follows the traditional Shakespearean five-act plot structure, with exposition in Act I, development in Act II, the climax or turning point in Act III, falling action in Act IV, and resolution in Act V.

Symbolism:

The use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas. This term is commonly misused, describing any and all representational relationships, which in fact are more often metaphorical than symbolic. A symbol must be something tangible or visible, while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract or universal.

Theme:

The main idea or message conveyed by the piece. A theme should generally be expressed as a complete sentence; an idea expressed by a single word or fragmentary phrase is usually a motif.

Tragedy:

Where a story ends with a negative or unfortunate outcome which was essentially avoidable, usually caused by a flaw in the central character’s personality. Tragedy is really more of a dramatic genre than a literary element; a play can be referred to as a tragedy, but tragic events in a story are essentially part of the plot, rather than a literary device in themselves. When discussing tragedy, or analysing a story as tragic, look to the other elements of the story which combine to make it tragic.

Tragic Hero / Tragic Figure:

A protagonist who comes to a bad end as a result of their own behavior, usually caused by a specific personality disorder or character flaw.

Tragic Flaw / Hamartia:

The single characteristic (usually negative) or personality trait which causes the downfall of the protagonist.