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A humorous scene or character introduced into serious or tragic elements to provide a change of mood. Example: The gravediggers in Hamlet introduce comic relief in a predominantly dark play.

The area that contained the dressing rooms for actors behind the stage of an Elizabethan theatre. Example: In the Globe Theatre, the tiring house was directly behind the stage and used by actors to prepare for their performances.

A form of entertainment that involved the release of a bear and setting dogs to attack it. Example: Bear-baiting arenas were popular around the same time as the Elizabethan Theatre and sometimes provided competition for audiences.

A speech in which a character speaks to themselves, revealing their thoughts to the audience. Example: In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the 'To be or not to be' speech.

A character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character. Example: In Hamlet, Laertes is a foil to Hamlet.

A line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one short (unstressed) syllable followed by one long (stressed) syllable. Example: The prologue of Romeo and Juliet is in iambic pentameter.

The emotional release felt by the audience at the end of a tragic drama. Example: At the end of King Lear, audiences may feel catharsis following the resolution of the intense emotional journey.

A famous Elizabethan playhouse for which Shakespeare wrote his plays. Example: The Globe was where many of Shakespeare's plays premiered.

The moment in a play when a character makes a critical discovery. Example: When Oedipus realizes that he has married his mother in Oedipus Rex.

An architectural feature that frames the stage of a theatre. Example: Not traditionally part of Elizabethan stages, which were more open, but important in later theatre architecture.

Members of the audience who stood in the yard of the Globe Theatre to watch the play, paying the least amount of money. Example: Groundlings favored the more sensational parts of plays, such as fight scenes and comedy.

A protagonist with a fatal flaw which eventually leads to their demise. Example: Othello's jealousy makes him a tragic hero.

A book or pamphlet consisting of one or more full sheets of paper, each sheet being folded twice to make four leaves. Example: Many of Shakespeare's plays were first published in quarto format.

Non-rhyming poetry, typically written in iambic pentameter. Example: Much of Shakespeare's dialogue utilizes blank verse.

A company of actors for which Shakespeare wrote and acted. Example: They performed plays such as 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Hamlet'.

The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect. Example: In The Merry Wives of Windsor, the character Mistress Quickly is prone to malapropisms.

Excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to the downfall of a character. Example: The character of Coriolanus displays hubris, which leads to his tragic end.

A device used for displaying and rapidly changing theatrical scenes. Example: Not commonly used in Elizabethan Theatre, more a feature of ancient Greek stagecraft.

A brief remark a character makes to the audience, unheard by the other characters. Example: In Macbeth, Macbeth utters asides as his ambition and plans grow.