Emotions Used in Drama
Here is a list of over 400 emotions and emotional states relevant to the study of drama and theatre.
Emotions are a critical part of most actor training programs and character creation.
Emotions in this post can be used in exercises and activities for drama class.
abandoned | disillusioned | lovesick |
abashed | dismal | low |
abominable | dismayed | loyal |
abrupt | disoriented | lucky |
absorbed | dispirited | mad |
accepting | displeased | manic |
aching | disrespectful | manipulative |
adequate | disrupted | mean |
admiration | dissatisfied | meditative |
adoration | distant | melancholic |
affected | distracted | mellow |
affectionate | distraught | menaced |
afflicted | distressed | menacing |
affronted | distrustful | merry |
afraid | disturbed | miserable |
aggravated | doubtful | miserable |
aggressive | downhearted | moody |
agitated | downtrodden | morbid |
alarmed | drained | motivated |
alert | dreadful | mournful |
alienated | dreary | needed |
alone | dull | needy |
amazed | dynamic | negative |
ambitious | eager | neglectful |
amused | earnest | nervous |
angry | easy | nervous |
anguished | ecstatic | obsessive |
animated | edgy | offended |
annoyed | elated | offensive |
antagonistic | embarrassed | optimistic |
anxious | empathic | outraged |
apathetic | empowered | overbearing |
appalled | empty | overconfident |
appreciative | encouraged | overjoyed |
apprehensive | energetic | overwhelmed |
approving | enraged | pacified |
ardent | enthralled | panicky |
argumentative | enthusiastic | paranoid |
aroused | envious | passionate |
arrogant | euphoric | pathetic |
ashamed | exasperated | peaceful |
assured | excellent | pensive |
astonished | excited | perplexed |
astounded | exhausted | perturbed |
attached | exhilarated | pessimistic |
attacked | exuberant | pessimistic |
attracted | fantastic | petrified |
authentic | fatigued | playful |
authoritative | fearful | pleased |
aversive | festive | powerless |
aware | fine | protective |
awed | flat | proud |
awkward | flustered | regretful |
bad | foolish | rejected |
balanced | forlorn | rejuvenated |
beaming | fragile | relaxed |
belittled | frazzled | remorseful |
belligerent | free | resentful |
betrayed | friendly | reserved |
bewildered | frightened | rested |
bitter | frisky | restless |
bleak | frustrated | reticent |
blessed | fulfilled | revengeful |
blissful | furious | rude |
blunt | genuine | sad |
boastful | giddy | sadistic |
boiling | glad | safe |
bold | gleeful | satisfied |
bored | gloomy | scared |
bossy | glorious | sceptical |
bountiful | glowing | secure |
brave | glum | selfish |
breathless | goofy | sensational |
bright | graceful | sensitive |
brutal | grateful | serene |
bubbly | gratified | shaky |
burdened | great | sharp |
calm | greedy | sheepish |
capable | grief | shocked |
carefree | grief-stricken | sincere |
cautious | grouchy | solemn |
certain | grounded | sombre |
cheerful | grumpy | sorrowful |
clever | guarded | sorry |
cocky | guilty | spirited |
cold | happy | spontaneous |
combative | hateful | stable |
comfortable | healthy | startled |
comforted | heartbroken | stressed |
compassionate | helpful | strong |
compulsive | helpless | superior |
concerned | hesitant | supported |
condescending | homesick | sure |
confident | honest | sure |
confounded | honored | surprised |
confused | hopeful | sympathetic |
conscientious | hopeless | sympathy |
considerate | horrified | tearful |
constructive | hostile | temperamental |
contemplative | humble | tenacious |
contempt | humbled | tender |
content | humiliated | tense |
controlling | hurt | tense |
cooperative | hurtful | terrible |
courageous | impatient | terrified |
cowardly | important | threatened |
crabby | impulsive | thrilled |
crafty | incensed | tired |
cranky | incompetent | tormented |
craving | inconsolable | touched |
crazy | indecisive | touchy |
creative | indifferent | tranquil |
critical | indignant | trapped |
cross | inept | trembling |
cruel | inferior | troubled |
crushed | inflamed | uncertainty |
curious | infuriated | uncomfortable |
daring | insecure | uneasiness |
deceived | inspired | unhappy |
defensive | intimidated | unnerved |
degraded | intolerant | unsettled |
dejected | intrigued | unsure |
delighted | invaded | upbeat |
delirious | irate | uplifted |
demanding | irritated | upset |
depressed | isolated | uptight |
deprived | jaded | vengeful |
desolate | jealous | vibrant |
despair | jovial | vicious |
desperate | joyful | vilified |
despondent | joyous | violated |
detached | jubilant | vulnerable |
determined | judgemental | warm |
devastated | lazy | wary |
devoted | liberated | weepy |
disappointed | lifeless | wistful |
disconcerted | light-hearted | withdrawn |
discouraged | listless | wonderful |
disempowered | lively | worried |
disgraced | lonely | worthless |
disgusted | lost | worthwhile |
disheartened | loved | wronged |
dishonest |
Not sure of the meaning of a word on the list? Look it up in the dictionary.
This list can be useful just as a general information about emotions in a early stage of acting studies… this list has to be classified and each of these emotions has to be decomposed into the emotion seeds in order to find out:
1) how does those emotions works,
2) where they come from,
3) how can those emotions be combined, etc
After all these procedures comes: “how can actor find or identify those emotions in his soul” and use same ones to build a realistic character upon his/hers method of acting craft.
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