What is a Zanni?
A villainous, manipulative and clever servant
What is the Second Zanni?
The absurd buffoon, usually a sidekick to the main villain
What is the Capitano?
A boastful, swashbuckling mercenary, often duped by the Zanni
What is the Pantalone?
A foolish old man, often duped by his wife or daughter
What is the Pedrolino?
A trusted servant, kind and very charming, but a bit naïve and easily tricked
What is the Inamoratas?
The female characters that are usually long-suffering wives or rebellious daughters
- They are typically young, independent, and more sensible than male characters
What is Machiavellianism?
A personality trait construct characterized by manipulativeness, indifference to morality, lack of empathy, and a calculated focus on self-interest
What is a Tragic Hero?
A figure who is either larger than life or holds some position in the world that places them near the top of hierarchy
What is a Hamartia/Tragic Flaw?
A fatal flaw that leads to the downfall of the tragic hero, often this is their on hubris or stubbornness
What is a Peripeteia?
A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances, typically a turning point in the action
What is Hubris?
To have excessive pride, arrogance, or self-confidence, often leading to a character’s downfall
What is a Tragedy?
A drama that depicts the downfall or destruction of a noble or heroic character
- This is often stemmed from a personal flaw, fate, or a combination of both, leading to a cathartic release from the audience
What is Catharsis?
A purging of emotions
- e.g. pity and fear, so they are left with a sense of peace
What is a Moor?
A term used to describe Muslim inhabitants of Northern Africa and the Mediterranean, however they weren’t a distinct group of people
What is Eponymous?
When a character gives their name to the title of the novel/play
- e.g Othello and Gatsby
What is a Cuckold?
The husband of an adultress
What is a Stock Character?
A recognizable, often stereotypical, character type that is quickly understood by the audience or reader without requiring much development
What is Duplicitous?
Someone who is deceitful
- e.g. iago
What is Meritocracy?
The notion of a political system in which people are rewarded for their work, not their wealth or social class
What is Anagnorisis?
The point in a play, novel, where a principal character recognizes or discovers another character’s true identity
What is Pathos?
A quality that evokes pity or sadness
What is an Exposition?
The part of a story that introduces the background information necessary for the audience to understand the plot, characters, and setting
What is a Conflict?
The tension that arises when a character faces an obstacle or opposition to achieving their goals
What is a Complication?
An event or situation that introduces new challenges or obstacles for the characters, escalating the central conflict by adding complexity to the plot
