2.  Drama is a type of literature usually written to be performed.  The form drama takes is called a play or script.

3.  Characteristics of Drama Characteristics of Drama  Types of Drama Types of Drama  Purposes of Drama Purposes of Drama Sir Ian McKellen portrays Shakespeare’s character Hamlet in 1971’s production of Hamlet.

4.  Written to be presented by actors.actors  Written primarily in dialogue or linesdialogue ◦ Writers only focus on what is seen or heard on stage or screen.  Non spoken material is called stage directions.stage directions  Has an unique organization.organization  Other dramatic devices.devices

5.  Actors are people who pretend to be the characters in a play.  They must learn how to read their lines to make the story come alive during the performance.  Good actors are often popular and are asked to play demanding roles.

6.  Dialogue is what a character says during the play.  Dialogue always begins by listing the character’s name, followed by what he or she says. Example: Antony: O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?  Dialogue is the only way information is given to the audience during a play.

7.  Stage directions are special notes in the play that give information to the actors. ◦ What to do on stage ◦ When to enter and exit during a scene ◦ How to deliver a line of dialogue ◦ What the setting looks like  Give clues to what characters are feeling or thinking.  Examples: SAMPSON: Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing blow. (They fight) (Enter BENVOLIO) JOAN (fearfully): So who saw me there…at the site of the murder?

8.  Divided into Acts and Scenes. ◦ An act is a major division. ◦ A scene is a smaller division within an Act.  A play usually has 2-3 Acts with 2-3 scenes in each act.  Scene changes usually mean a change in setting (time or place). SCENE I. Verona. A public place. SCENE III. A room in Capulet's house.

9.  Monologue: long speech, delivered by one character, intended for the other characters to hear  Soliloquy: long speech, delivered by one character, alone on stage, not intended for the other characters to hear  Aside: a character turns to the audience to say something other characters are not supposed to hear (short speech, a few lines only).

10.  There are two basic types of Drama ◦ Tragedy Tragedy ◦ Comedy Comedy  Other types ◦ Histories ◦ Tragicomedies

11.  Tragedy has a serious tone.  Important people are usually the main characters.  Involves big, important themes.  Usually an important character dies at the end.  Melodrama is a type of tragedy that is more focused on physical actions. Scene from “Million Dollar Baby”

12.  Comedies have a light or amusing tone.  Characters are usually common everyday people.  Themes are often dealing with love.  Happy endings are common. In traditional comedies, lead characters marry.  Farce is a type of comedy that focuses on physical humor and crude jokes. Scene from “Dumb and Dumber”

13.  Give instruction about how to live.  Entertainment.  Make us aware of social issues.  Cause us to reflect on ourselves and our beliefs.

14.  FOIL – characters whose words and actions emphasize the differences between them Ex: Romeo and Benvolio; Romeo and Mercutio  BLANK VERSE – verse with no rhyme - iambic pentameter (5 feet) (u/ u/ u/ u/ u/) But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

15.  PUN (play upon words) – using a word with multiple meanings or two words that sound alike but have different meanings  He won the twister contest hands-down.  After periodic doubts about his vocational calling, the young chemistry teacher concluded he was out of his element.  Dying Mercutio using the word grave: “Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.”  COMIC RELIEF – the introduction of a humorous character or situation into a tragic scene  APOSTROPHE – the speaker addresses someone absent, dead, or an inanimate object