Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
dramatis personae
Noun
/drəˌmætɪs pərˈsoʊni/
Definition
The characters or personas represented in a play, story, or other narrative.
Examples
- In the play’s dramatis personae, several characters represent key historical figures.
- The dramatis personae includes both the protagonists and antagonists of the story.
- Before the curtain rises, the audience reviews the dramatis personae to familiarize themselves with the characters.
Meaning
In literary contexts, ‘dramatis personae’ refers to the list of characters in a play or novel, often found at the beginning, which provides a guide to the roles involved in the narrative.
Synonyms
- characters
- cast
- roles
- personages
