1. Shakespeare – 5 Act Play Structure
Drama
Lecture Notes Outline
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Literary Analysis
Unit 4: Renaissance Drama
Drama
British Tradition
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2. Drama, instead of telling us the whole of a man’s life, must place him in such a situation, tie such a knot, that when it is untied, the whole man is visible.
—Leo Tolstoy
Lecture Notes Outline
Drama, instead of telling us the whole of a man’s life, must place him in such a situation, tie such a knot, that when it is untied, the whole man is visible. —Leo Tolstoy

3. What is drama?
Drama is a story told through characters played by actors.
Lecture Notes Outline
What is drama? Drama is a story told through characters played by actors.
Extension Options
Tell students that many national and state playwriting contests offer opportunities for students to submit original dramas for consideration. One in particular is Young Playwrights Inc. (YPI), a national organization “devoted entirely to introducing young people to writing for the theater and for themselves.” This organization was started by acclaimed Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim and provides students eighteen years old and under with the opportunity to explore playwriting and participate in off-Broadway productions. Every year, YPI conducts the Young Playwrights Festival National Playwriting Contest for students to submit original plays to be read and evaluated by theater professionals. If a student’s work is chosen, the writer is invited to attend a conference in New York where he or she will work with theater artists. For more information, visit the following website:

4. How is drama different from other literary genres?
Drama, unlike other types of literature, has the element of spectacle.
Spectacle is the visual portrayal of meaning.
To achieve spectacle, drama features unique elements, such as
lighting and costumes
set design and props
music and sound effects
Lecture Notes Outline
How is drama different from other literary genres? Drama, unlike other types of literature, has the element of spectacle. Spectacle is the visual portrayal of meaning. To achieve spectacle, drama features unique elements, such as lighting and costumes, set design and props, and music and sound effects.

5. What are the purposes of drama?
Drama can
entertain viewers
enlighten viewers by sharing the human condition or experience
help viewers gain insight into themselves and others
teach viewers empathy
allow viewers to explore other visions of the world
Lecture Notes Outline
What are the purposes of drama? Drama can entertain viewers, enlighten viewers by sharing the human condition or experience, help viewers gain insight into themselves and others, teach viewers empathy, and allow viewers to explore other visions of the world. 5

6. Types of Drama
Most dramas can be categorized as either comedy or tragedy.
These classifications date back to the 5th century BCE in Greece.
Lecture Notes Outline
Most dramas can be categorized as either comedy or tragedy. These classifications date back to the 5th century BCE in Greece. However, the distinctions between these two types of drama have changed since earlier times.
Extension Options
Share with students that the comedy and tragedy masks, seen in the upper right-hand corners of the slides in this presentation, have their roots in ancient Greece as well. These facial masks emerged around 500 BCE and were donned by the actors (all males, at that time) to show both a change of character as well as a change of emotion. The masks were typically constructed from wood or linen and had attached wigs to cover the remainder of the actors’ heads. The features of the mask were exaggerated to enable viewers who were seated far from the stage to understand the character transitions. The wide mouth allowed the actors to project their voices. Today, the comedy and tragedy masks are the universal symbol for the theater. 6

7. Shakespeare’s Comedies
During the English Renaissance (1485–1642), Shakespeare led a revival in drama and wrote several comedies.
These comedies were typically lighthearted works that touched on serious themes.
Action in Shakespeare’s comedies usually progressed from initial order to humorous misunderstanding and back to order again.
Often, his comedies ended with a marriage.
Lecture Notes Outline
During the English Renaissance (1485–1642), Shakespeare led a revival in drama and wrote several comedies. These comedies were typically lighthearted works that touched on serious themes. Action in Shakespeare’s comedies usually progressed from initial order to humorous misunderstanding and back to order again. Often, his comedies ended with a marriage. 7

8. Shakespeare’s Tragedies
During the English Renaissance, Shakespeare also wrote several tragedies.
These tragedies closely followed the Greek tragedy format.
They told stories of the downfall of persons of high status.
The fall of these heroes was typically brought about by some tragic flaw in their character.
Often, these tragedies celebrated the courage and dignity of the heroes in the face of doom.
Lecture Notes Outline
During the English Renaissance, Shakespeare also wrote several tragedies. These tragedies closely followed the Greek tragedy format. They told stories of the downfall of persons of high status. The fall of these heroes was typically brought about by some tragic flaw in their character. Often, these tragedies celebrated the courage and dignity of the heroes in the face of doom. 8

9. Dramatic Structure
Once a playwright chooses a type of drama, he or she must organize the script into a dramatic structure.
To do this, a playwright borrows elements from fiction, such as characters, setting, and plot structure.
These elements are then placed into parts unique to drama: acts and scenes.
Lecture Notes Outline
Once a playwright chooses a type of drama, he or she must organize the script into a dramatic structure. To do this, a playwright borrows elements from fiction, such as characters, setting, and plot structure. These elements are then placed into parts unique to drama: acts and scenes. 9

10. PROGRAM Acts and Scenes Acts are the major divisions of a play.
Acts are often divided into scenes, or shorter sections that usually mark changes of time and place.
ACT I
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
ACT II
PROGRAM
Lecture Notes Outline
Acts are the major divisions of a play. Acts are often divided into scenes, or shorter sections that usually mark changes of time and place. 10

11. Dramatic Structure: Five-Act Play
Most plays written in Shakespeare’s time have a dramatic structure composed of five acts.
For example, The Tragedy of Macbeth is a five-act play.
Lecture Notes Outline
Most plays written in Shakespeare’s time have a dramatic structure composed of five acts. For example, The Tragedy of Macbeth (on page 340 of your textbook) is a five-act play. 11

12. Dramatic Structure: Five-Act Play
A five-act play has the same plot structure as a work of fiction.
It has an exposition, rising action, climax or crisis, falling action, and dénouement.
Each act is assigned to a particular part of the plot structure.
See the diagram on the next slide.
Lecture Notes Outline
A five-act play has the same plot structure as a work of fiction. It has an exposition, rising action, climax or crisis, falling action, and dénouement. Each act is assigned to a particular part of the plot structure. See the diagram on the next slide. 12

13. Dramatic Structure: Five-Act Play
Climax or Crisis
(Act III)
Rising Action (Act II)
Exposition
(Act I)
Inciting Incident
Falling Action (Act IV)
Dénouement
(Act V)
Resolution or Catastrophe
Lecture Notes Outline
Act I: Exposition and Inciting Incident
Act II: Rising Action
Act III: Climax or Crisis
Act IV: Falling Action
Act V: Resolution or Catastrophe, Dénouement

14. Climax or Crisis (Act III) Resolution or Catastrophe
Five-Act Play: Act I
Act I contains the exposition, or introduction.
The setting and main characters are presented.
The inciting incident (the event that sets in motion the central conflict) is introduced.
Climax or Crisis (Act III)
Rising Action
(Act II)
Exposition
(Act I)
Inciting Incident
Falling Action
(Act IV)
Dénouement
(Act V)
Resolution or Catastrophe
Lecture Notes Outline
Act I contains the exposition, or introduction. The setting and main characters are presented. The inciting incident (the event that sets in motion the central conflict) is introduced. 14

15. Climax or Crisis (Act III) Resolution or Catastrophe
Five-Act Play: Act II
Act II presents the rising action, a series of events that complicate the plot.
The suspense builds as the plot “thickens.”
Climax or Crisis (Act III)
Rising Action
(Act II)
Exposition
(Act I)
Inciting Incident
Falling Action
(Act IV)
Dénouement
(Act V)
Resolution or Catastrophe
Lecture Notes Outline
Act II presents the rising action, a series of events that complicate the plot. The suspense builds as the plot “thickens.” 15

16. Climax or Crisis (Act III) Resolution or Catastrophe
Five-Act Play: Act III
In Act III, suspense peaks in the climax or crisis, when something decisive happens to determine the future course of events.
This is the play’s turning point.
Climax or Crisis (Act III)
Rising Action
(Act II)
Exposition
(Act I)
Inciting Incident
Falling Action
(Act IV)
Dénouement
(Act V)
Resolution or Catastrophe
Lecture Notes Outline
In Act III, suspense peaks in the climax or crisis, when something decisive happens to determine the future course of events. This is the play’s turning point. 16

17. Climax or Crisis (Act III) Resolution or Catastrophe
Five-Act Play: Act IV
Act IV presents the falling action—the consequences of the action taken in the climax.
Climax or Crisis (Act III)
Rising Action
(Act II)
Exposition
(Act I)
Inciting Incident
Falling Action
(Act IV)
Dénouement
(Act V)
Resolution or Catastrophe
Lecture Notes Outline
Act IV presents the falling action—the consequences of the action taken in the climax. 17

18. Climax or Crisis (Act III) Resolution or Catastrophe
Five-Act Play: Act V
Act V presents the resolution or dénouement—the event that resolves the central conflict.
In a tragedy, this event is called the catastrophe because it marks the fall of the central character.
Climax or Crisis (Act III)
Rising Action
(Act II)
Exposition
(Act I)
Inciting Incident
Falling Action
(Act IV)
Dénouement
(Act V)
Resolution or Catastrophe
Lecture Notes Outline
Act V presents the resolution or dénouement—the event that resolves the central conflict. In a tragedy, this event is called the catastrophe because it marks the fall of the central character. 18

19. Tragic Hero and Tragic Flaw
The tragic hero is a common protagonist in ancient Greek and Shakespearean tragedies.
The hero’s weakness of personality, or tragic flaw, causes him or her to make poor choices.
Examples of common tragic flaws are listed in the box below.
Lecture Notes Outline
The tragic hero is a common protagonist in ancient Greek and Shakespearean tragedies. The hero’s weakness of personality, or tragic flaw, causes him or her to make poor choices. Examples of common tragic flaws are listed in the box below: arrogance, stubbornness, jealousy, ambition/power, indecisiveness, inaction, gullibility, hypocrisy, desire/lust, fearfulness, selfishness, and vulnerability.
arrogance indecisiveness desire/lust
stubbornness inaction fearfulness
jealousy gullibility selfishness
ambition/power hypocrisy vulnerability 19

20. Tragic Hero A tragic hero in a classical tragedy
is frequently a male figure
is a member of the nobility or an esteemed leader
is responsible for his or her own fate
makes choices that lead to self-destruction or the ruination of relationships
suffers deeply, therefore inciting sympathy from the audience
becomes more self-aware as a result of the suffering
Lecture Notes Outline
A tragic hero in a classical tragedy:
• is frequently a male figure
• is a member of the nobility or an esteemed leader
• is responsible for his or her own fate
• makes choices that lead to self-destruction or the ruination of relationships
• suffers deeply, therefore inciting sympathy from the audience
• becomes more self-aware as a result of the suffering 20

21. Foils
Foils are minor characters whose personalities serve to highlight the weaknesses of the main character or tragic hero.
In The Tragedy of Macbeth, Banquo is a foil to Macbeth.
For example, when a trusting Macbeth wants to believe the evil witches’ prophecies, a dubious Banquo warns him to be cautious.
Lecture Notes Outline
Foils are minor characters whose personalities serve to highlight the weaknesses of the main character or tragic hero. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, Banquo is a foil to Macbeth. For example, when a trusting Macbeth wants to believe the evil witches’ prophecies, a dubious Banquo warns him to be cautious. 21

22. Comic Relief
Another type of minor character in classical tragedy is a humorous character who provides comic relief.
Comic relief is a technique used by playwrights to provide a break from the emotional intensity of a play.
In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the drunken Porter who guards the gates of Macbeth’s castle provides comic relief.
Lecture Notes Outline
Another type of minor character in classical tragedy is a humorous character who provides comic relief. Comic relief is a technique used by playwrights to provide a break from the emotional intensity of a play. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the drunken Porter who guards the gates of Macbeth’s castle provides comic relief.
Extension Options
Discuss with students that, at times, comic relief may increase the seriousness or tension of the situation at hand. Ask students why this effect might occur. 22

23. Dramatic Speech
Because they are meant to be read out loud, dramatic works rely primarily on the speech of the characters to tell a story.
Powerful dramatic speech engages the audience with its eloquence and emotional intensity.
Lecture Notes Outline
Because they are meant to be read out loud, dramatic works rely primarily on the speech of the characters to tell a story. Powerful dramatic speech engages the audience with its eloquence and emotional intensity. 23

24. Types of Dramatic Speech
There are four types of dramatic speech that playwrights use in their scripts:
dialogue
monologue
soliloquy
aside
Lecture Notes Outline
There are four types of dramatic speech that playwrights use in their scripts:
• dialogue
• monologue
• soliloquy
• aside 24

25. Dialogue A dialogue is a conversation between two or more characters.
Dialogue can reveal a character’s
age
personality and mood
ethnic background
educational level
geographical roots
relationships and their status
motivations and aspirations
Lecture Notes Outline
A dialogue is a conversation between two or more characters. Dialogue can reveal a character’s
• age
• personality and mood
• ethnic background
• educational level
• geographical roots
• relationships and their status
• motivations and aspirations 25

26. Monologue
Another type of dramatic speech is a monologue—a long speech made by one character.
This type of speech is an expression of a character’s thoughts or feelings regarding another character or situation.
A monologue typically can be heard by other characters on stage.
Lecture Notes Outline
Another type of dramatic speech is a monologue—a long speech made by one character. This type of speech is an expression of a character’s thoughts or feelings regarding another character or situation. A monologue typically can be heard by other characters on stage. 26

27. Soliloquy Soliloquy is another type of dramatic speech.
A soliloquy is a speech that reveals a character’s true thoughts and feelings.
A soliloquy is delivered when the character is alone on stage.
Typically, a soliloquy offers an intimate glimpse into a character’s emotions or mind-set.
Lecture Notes Outline
Soliloquy is another type of dramatic speech. A soliloquy is a speech that reveals a character’s true thoughts and feelings. A soliloquy is delivered when the character is alone on stage. Typically, a soliloquy offers an intimate glimpse into a character’s emotions or mind-set. 27

28. Aside An aside is another type of dramatic speech.
In an aside, a character reveals to the audience his or her innermost thoughts and feelings about a topic.
This technique allows the audience—and no other characters on stage—to hear the character’s desires and motivations.
This aids in the audience’s understanding of subsequent events.
Lecture Notes Outline
An aside is another type of dramatic speech. In an aside, a character reveals to the audience his or her innermost thoughts and feelings about a topic. This technique allows the audience—and no other characters on stage—to hear the character’s desires and motivations. This aids in the audience’s understanding of subsequent events. 28

29. Verbal Irony Dramatic speech may also include the use of verbal irony.
Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but means another.
Verbal irony is similar to sarcasm.
Lecture Notes Outline
Dramatic speech may also include the use of verbal irony. Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but means another. Verbal irony is similar to sarcasm. What examples of verbal irony can you find in The Tragedy of Macbeth?

30. Other Types of Irony
Two other types of irony are also common in dramas:
Dramatic irony is when something is known by the reader or the audience but is not known by the characters.
Irony of situation is when an event occurs that violates the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience.
Lecture Notes Outline
Two other types of irony are also common in dramas: Dramatic irony is when something is known by the reader or the audience but is not known by the characters. Irony of situation is when an event occurs that violates the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience.

31. Stage Directions
The way in which characters deliver their lines sets the tone for each scene in a play.
To help actors determine how to do so, a playwright writes stage directions that describe how something should be performed on stage.
Stage directions also include notes on the staging of the play: set design, lighting, costumes, props, music, and sound effects.
Lecture Notes Outline
The way in which characters deliver their lines sets the tone for each scene in a play. To help actors determine how to do so, a playwright writes stage directions that describe how something should be performed on stage. Stage directions also include notes on the staging of the play: set design, lighting, costumes, props, music, and sound effects.