Introduction to Drama

What is Drama? Drama is a type of literature that is primarily written to be performed for an audience. When reading a play, it is important to keep certain features of drama in mind. Some of these features relate to drama as literature; others reflect its character as a performance. Drama is a type of literature that is primarily written to be performed for an audience. When reading a play, it is important to keep certain features of drama in mind. Some of these features relate to drama as literature; others reflect its character as a performance.

History… Greek Drama B.C. Greek Drama B.C. Medieval: The Middle Ages AD Medieval: The Middle Ages AD Elizabethan & Jacobean Elizabethan & Jacobean Restoration & 18 th Cent. Drama Restoration & 18 th Cent. Drama Romantic Era Romantic Era Modern Era 1850-Present Modern Era 1850-Present

Types of Drama- Tragedy Tragedy: A play in which the main character experiences disaster, but faces this downfall in such a way as to attain heroic stature.* Tragedy: A play in which the main character experiences disaster, but faces this downfall in such a way as to attain heroic stature.* Even though Tragedies are “gloomy” they are triumphant, because they inspire exaltation at the greatness human beings can attain even in defeat. Even though Tragedies are “gloomy” they are triumphant, because they inspire exaltation at the greatness human beings can attain even in defeat.

Comedy Comedy closes with a peaceful resolution of the main conflict.* Comedy closes with a peaceful resolution of the main conflict.* High Comedy: The humor arises from subtle characterization, social satire, and sophisticated wit. High Comedy: The humor arises from subtle characterization, social satire, and sophisticated wit. Low Comedy: Emphasizes absurd dialogue, bawdy jokes, visual gags, and physical humor.* Low Comedy: Emphasizes absurd dialogue, bawdy jokes, visual gags, and physical humor.*

Types of Comedy Romantic Comedy: The main characters are lovers, and the plot tends to follow the pattern of “boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl again.” Romantic Comedy: The main characters are lovers, and the plot tends to follow the pattern of “boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl again.” Satiric Comedy: Uses humor to ridicule foolish ideas or customs with the purpose of improving society. Satiric Comedy: Uses humor to ridicule foolish ideas or customs with the purpose of improving society. Comedy of Manners: Satirizes the vices and follies of the upper class.* Comedy of Manners: Satirizes the vices and follies of the upper class.*

Additional Forms of Drama Farce: Relies on exaggeration, absurdity, and slapstick Farce: Relies on exaggeration, absurdity, and slapstick Straight Drama or Drama: Deal with serious subjects, but do not always end in disaster. Straight Drama or Drama: Deal with serious subjects, but do not always end in disaster.

Elements of Drama External Conflict: Pits a character against nature or fate, society, or another character External Conflict: Pits a character against nature or fate, society, or another character Internal conflict: Between opposing forces within a character. Internal conflict: Between opposing forces within a character. Protagonist: The central character of the play and often undergoes radical changes as the action progresses.* Protagonist: The central character of the play and often undergoes radical changes as the action progresses.* Antagonist: The character who opposes the main character* Antagonist: The character who opposes the main character*

Foil: A minor character whose traits contrast sharply with those of the protagonist Foil: A minor character whose traits contrast sharply with those of the protagonist Dialogue: Conversations between characters Dialogue: Conversations between characters Monologue: A long speech spoken by a single character to himself or herself, or to the audience Monologue: A long speech spoken by a single character to himself or herself, or to the audience Soliloquy: A monologue in which a character speaks his or her private thoughts aloud and appears to be unaware of the audience. Soliloquy: A monologue in which a character speaks his or her private thoughts aloud and appears to be unaware of the audience.

Aside: a short speech or comment delivered by a character to the audience, but unheard by the other characters who are present. Aside: a short speech or comment delivered by a character to the audience, but unheard by the other characters who are present.

Conventions of Drama Cast of Characters: listed in the beginning of the play, before the action starts. Cast of Characters: listed in the beginning of the play, before the action starts. Act: a major division of a play Act: a major division of a play Scenes: Major division of an act Scenes: Major division of an act Stage Directions: a dramatist’s instructions for performing a play. Stage Directions: a dramatist’s instructions for performing a play.

Protagonist

Antagonist