An Introduction to Drama

Drama Literature that is meant to be performed before an audience, otherwise known as a play. Literature that is meant to be performed before an audience, otherwise known as a play. Contains elements of plot, character, setting, and theme. Contains elements of plot, character, setting, and theme.

Drama Uses Several Dramatic Devices…

Pun Jokes that result when an actor uses a word that has two meanings, and both of those meanings can make sense in the line. Jokes that result when an actor uses a word that has two meanings, and both of those meanings can make sense in the line.

Please excuse the Pun (some ‘punny’ examples) “The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.” “The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.” “Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.” “Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.” “I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.” “I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.” “The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.” “The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.”

A few more puns… “A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.” “A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.” “No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationary.” “No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationary.” “A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, ‘No change yet.’” “A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, ‘No change yet.’”

Oxymoron Combinations of words that mean the opposite. Combinations of words that mean the opposite. Examples: Examples: “Heavy lightness” “Heavy lightness” “Cold fire” “Cold fire” “Jumbo shrimp” “Jumbo shrimp”

Paradox Statements that appear to contradict themselves, but still make sense. Statements that appear to contradict themselves, but still make sense. Example: Example: “My only love sprung from my only hate!” “My only love sprung from my only hate!”

Allusion Reference to a statement, a person, a place, or an event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, etc. Reference to a statement, a person, a place, or an event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, etc.

Irony There are 3 types of irony: dramatic, situational, and verbal There are 3 types of irony: dramatic, situational, and verbal 1. A situation that is understood by the audience, but not by the characters 1. A situation that is understood by the audience, but not by the characters 2. Contrast between expectation and reality…what is expected and what actually happens 2. Contrast between expectation and reality…what is expected and what actually happens 3. What is said and what is really meant. 3. What is said and what is really meant.

Imagery Language that appeals to the senses. Language that appeals to the senses. “Word pictures” “Word pictures”

Hyperbole Exaggeration for effect. Exaggeration for effect. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” “I nearly died laughing.” “I nearly died laughing.”

Drama is Written as Poetry…

Form The structure or arrangement of a written piece. The structure or arrangement of a written piece. Example: The form of poetry is groups of lines called stanzas. Example: The form of poetry is groups of lines called stanzas.

Stanza A group of consecutive lines in a poem that form a single unit. A group of consecutive lines in a poem that form a single unit.

Prose Ordinary speech or writing, without metrical structure. Ordinary speech or writing, without metrical structure. In Romeo and Juliet, prose is mostly spoken by the common people and occasionally by Mercutio when he is joking. In Romeo and Juliet, prose is mostly spoken by the common people and occasionally by Mercutio when he is joking.

Rhyme Two or more words that have the same ending sound. Two or more words that have the same ending sound. Ex: Sing; Wing Ex: Sing; Wing Ex: Sunny; Funny Ex: Sunny; Funny

Couplets Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme. Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme. Shakespeare uses these when he rhymes. Shakespeare uses these when he rhymes. Example: Example: “Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”

Rhythm Musical quality in language produced by repetition. Musical quality in language produced by repetition. Example: Example: “Three blind mice. Three blind mice. See how they run…” “Three blind mice. Three blind mice. See how they run…”

Meter The rhythm created by a sequence of words that has a repeated pattern of accented syllables. The rhythm created by a sequence of words that has a repeated pattern of accented syllables.

Iambic Pentameter An example of meter. An example of meter. An unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed syllable (iambic meter). An unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed syllable (iambic meter). Example: pre-fer Example: pre-fer There are five iambic units in each line. There are five iambic units in each line. EX: “But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?” EX: “But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?”

Blank Verse (Unrhymed Iambic Pentameter) “Blank” means there is no rhyme. “Blank” means there is no rhyme. Romeo and Juliet is written largely in unrhymed iambic pentameter…otherwise known as blank verse. Romeo and Juliet is written largely in unrhymed iambic pentameter…otherwise known as blank verse.

Mark the rhythm of these lines… “Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return.”