Introduction to DramaIntroduction to Drama

What is Drama?What is Drama?

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

History…History…

Greek Drama 500-400 B.C.Greek Drama 500-400 B.C.Medieval: The Middle Ages 1200-1500 Medieval: The Middle Ages 1200-1500

ADADElizabethan & Jacobean 1500-1642Elizabethan & Jacobean 1500-1642Restoration & 18Restoration & 18 thth Cent. Drama 1660-1800 Cent. Drama 1660-1800Romantic Era 1800-1880Romantic Era 1800-1880Modern Era 1850-PresentModern Era 1850-Present

Types of Drama- TragedyTypes of Drama- Tragedy Tragedy: A play in which the Tragedy: A play in which the

main character experiences main character experiences disaster, but faces this downfall disaster, but faces this downfall in such a way as to attain in such a way as to attain heroic stature.* heroic stature.*

Even though Tragedies are Even though Tragedies are “gloomy” they are triumphant, “gloomy” they are triumphant, because they inspire exaltation because they inspire exaltation at the greatness human beings at the greatness human beings can attain even in defeat.can attain even in defeat.

ComedyComedyComedy closes with a Comedy closes with a

peaceful resolution of the peaceful resolution of the main conflict.*main conflict.*High Comedy: The humor High Comedy: The humor

arises from subtle arises from subtle characterization, social characterization, social satire, and sophisticated wit.satire, and sophisticated wit.

Low Comedy: Emphasizes Low Comedy: Emphasizes absurd dialogue, bawdy absurd dialogue, bawdy jokes, visual gags, and jokes, visual gags, and physical humor.*physical humor.*

Types of ComedyTypes of ComedyRomantic Comedy: The main characters Romantic Comedy: The main characters

are lovers, and the plot tends to follow the are lovers, and the plot tends to follow the pattern of “boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy pattern of “boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl again.”gets girl again.”

Satiric Comedy: Uses humor to ridicule Satiric Comedy: Uses humor to ridicule foolish ideas or customs with the purpose foolish ideas or customs with the purpose of improving society.of improving society.Comedy of Manners: Satirizes the vices and Comedy of Manners: Satirizes the vices and

follies of the upper class.*follies of the upper class.*

Additional Forms of DramaAdditional Forms of Drama

Farce: Relies on exaggeration, absurdity, Farce: Relies on exaggeration, absurdity, and slapstickand slapstick

Straight Drama or Drama: Deal with Straight Drama or Drama: Deal with serious subjects, but do not always end in serious subjects, but do not always end in disaster.disaster.

Elements of DramaElements of Drama External Conflict: Pits a character against External Conflict: Pits a character against

nature or fate, society, or another characternature or fate, society, or another character Internal conflict: Between opposing forces within Internal conflict: Between opposing forces within

a character.a character. Protagonist: The central character of the play Protagonist: The central character of the play

and often undergoes radical changes as the and often undergoes radical changes as the action progresses.*action progresses.*

Antagonist: The character who opposes the Antagonist: The character who opposes the main character*main character*

Foil: A minor character whose traits Foil: A minor character whose traits contrast sharply with those of the contrast sharply with those of the protagonistprotagonist

Dialogue: Conversations between Dialogue: Conversations between characterscharacters

Monologue: A long speech spoken by a Monologue: A long speech spoken by a single character to himself or herself, or to single character to himself or herself, or to the audiencethe audience

Soliloquy: A monologue in which a Soliloquy: A monologue in which a character speaks his or her private character speaks his or her private thoughts aloud and appears to be thoughts aloud and appears to be unaware of the audience.unaware of the audience.

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

Conventions of DramaConventions of Drama

Cast of Characters: listed in the beginning Cast of Characters: listed in the beginning of the play, before the action starts.of the play, before the action starts.

Act: a major division of a playAct: a major division of a playScenes: Major division of an actScenes: Major division of an actStage Directions: a dramatist’s Stage Directions: a dramatist’s

instructions for performing a play.instructions for performing a play.

ProtagonistProtagonist

AntagonistAntagonist