WRITING ABOUT WRITING ABOUT DRAMADRAMA

Basic DefinitionBasic Definition Drama is a form of literature acted out by Drama is a form of literature acted out by

performers. Performers work with the playwright, performers. Performers work with the playwright, director, set and lighting designers to stage a director, set and lighting designers to stage a show.show.

Live actors act as someone else called a Live actors act as someone else called a charactercharacter..

A play consists of: A play consists of: dialogue - where characters talk with each other dialogue - where characters talk with each other action - what characters do in the play action - what characters do in the play gesture - what the character shows through motion(s) gesture - what the character shows through motion(s)

and expression(s) and expression(s) A script, written by a playwright, gives the actors A script, written by a playwright, gives the actors

words and cues to perform the words and cues to perform the dialoguedialogue, , actionsactions and and gesturesgestures of their characters on stage. of their characters on stage.

As a reader, you can only As a reader, you can only imagine what the gestures, imagine what the gestures, expressions and voices of the expressions and voices of the characters are like. Remember characters are like. Remember you must imagine the "sounds," you must imagine the "sounds," actions and scenery when you actions and scenery when you are reading a script.are reading a script.

Reading a play is like listening to a Reading a play is like listening to a conversation, and using your conversation, and using your imagination to guess at what the imagination to guess at what the characters are like. This conversation characters are like. This conversation is what actors will perform on the is what actors will perform on the stage and will give you an idea of stage and will give you an idea of how other people, including the how other people, including the playwright, imagined the play to be.playwright, imagined the play to be.

Drama differs from short stories Drama differs from short stories and novels because it is made to and novels because it is made to be performed by different actors be performed by different actors in different locations throughout in different locations throughout time. While the script remains time. While the script remains the same, actors' interpretations the same, actors' interpretations of a single role may differ.of a single role may differ.

If you have read a play and then If you have read a play and then see it, you may be surprised see it, you may be surprised because the play may be because the play may be different from what you had different from what you had imagined. This is similar to imagined. This is similar to reading a story and then seeing reading a story and then seeing a movie of that story-- it is rarely a movie of that story-- it is rarely exactly what you had imagined.exactly what you had imagined.

Two basic types of dramaTwo basic types of dramaTragedy - a serious, solemn play Tragedy - a serious, solemn play

based on an important social, based on an important social, personal, or religious issue. personal, or religious issue.

Comedy - a play that shows the Comedy - a play that shows the humorous actions of characters when humorous actions of characters when they try to solve social, personal, or they try to solve social, personal, or religious problems. religious problems.

Some of the first forms of documented Some of the first forms of documented drama come from ancient Greece. The drama come from ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks performed both ancient Greeks performed both tragedies and comedies.tragedies and comedies.

Ancient tragedyAncient tragedy - invented by the - invented by the ancient Greeks to show the actions of a ancient Greeks to show the actions of a tragic hero or heroinetragic hero or heroine. (Ex: . (Ex: Oedipus Oedipus Rex.Rex.))

tragic hero/heroinetragic hero/heroine - the - the protagonistprotagonist, , or main character, in the play.or main character, in the play.

Aspects of the Greek tragic Aspects of the Greek tragic herohero

he/she must be of noble birth or hold an he/she must be of noble birth or hold an important social position important social position

he/she is generally virtuous he/she is generally virtuous he/she has a desire to do good deeds he/she has a desire to do good deeds he/she dies in the end of the play he/she dies in the end of the play

The hero/heroine seems "better" The hero/heroine seems "better" than the other character(s), but there than the other character(s), but there is a fate which overpowers this is a fate which overpowers this "good" character."good" character.

Poor judgment by the protagonist Poor judgment by the protagonist (hero/heroine) causes a fall from grace and (hero/heroine) causes a fall from grace and social ranking. Poor judgment is a tragic flaw, social ranking. Poor judgment is a tragic flaw, or error, called or error, called hamatriahamatria. It leads to personal . It leads to personal catastrophe and unintended harm to others.catastrophe and unintended harm to others.

HybrisHybris ( (hubrishubris), which means excessive pride ), which means excessive pride or arrogance, is the most common type of or arrogance, is the most common type of hamatria.hamatria.

A hero/heroine's misfortune is an example of A hero/heroine's misfortune is an example of human fallibilityhuman fallibility (human's tendency to fail). (human's tendency to fail).

Learning from the mistakes of others was an Learning from the mistakes of others was an important part of Greek tragedy.important part of Greek tragedy.

Aspects of tragedy in Greek Aspects of tragedy in Greek dramadrama

crisis of feelingcrisis of feeling - painful or harmful - painful or harmful experience that may upset or depress experience that may upset or depress the audience. the audience.

catharsis/catharsis/purgationpurgation - the audience - the audience cleanses their emotions. For example, cleanses their emotions. For example, they may feel uplifted and/or get a new they may feel uplifted and/or get a new sense of spiritual understanding or sense of spiritual understanding or tragic pleasure. tragic pleasure.

reversal/reversal/peripeteiaperipeteia - the hero/heroine goes - the hero/heroine goes through a significant through a significant change in fortunechange in fortune for the for the worse. Reversal may happen after a discovery worse. Reversal may happen after a discovery ((anagnorisis,anagnorisis,)or a recognition of something )or a recognition of something previously not known to the hero/heroine. previously not known to the hero/heroine. ExampleExample: : In Sophocles' In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex,Oedipus Rex, Oedipus experiences a Oedipus experiences a reversal when he gets the message that his father, reversal when he gets the message that his father, Polybos, has died of old age. Oedipus is at first relieved Polybos, has died of old age. Oedipus is at first relieved to find out that the prophesy that he would kill his own to find out that the prophesy that he would kill his own father was wrong. Then his dread is renewed when the father was wrong. Then his dread is renewed when the same message reveals that Polybos was not his same message reveals that Polybos was not his biological father.biological father.

Modern tragedyModern tragedy

Unlike Greek tragedy, the Unlike Greek tragedy, the protagonist is often a protagonist is often a common or middle class common or middle class person, not high born, noble person, not high born, noble or important. Ordinary people or important. Ordinary people exemplify basic issues of exemplify basic issues of social and personal conflict.social and personal conflict.

Ancient Greek ComedyAncient Greek Comedyperformed to show the performed to show the humorous actions of one humorous actions of one or more characters as or more characters as they attempt to solve a they attempt to solve a problem.problem.

Aspects of Greek ComedyAspects of Greek Comedyrequired action and conflict that led to a required action and conflict that led to a

happy ending. happy ending. included ridiculing and violent personal included ridiculing and violent personal

attacks on contemporary personalities. attacks on contemporary personalities. involved acting out of bawdy personal involved acting out of bawdy personal

and social relationships. and social relationships. as opposed to ancient Greek tragedy, a as opposed to ancient Greek tragedy, a

change in fortune is almost always for change in fortune is almost always for the better. the better.

Types of comedy from Types of comedy from ancient to modern timesancient to modern times

romanticromantic - involves a love affair that - involves a love affair that does not run smoothly but ends does not run smoothly but ends happily. happily. ExampleExample: : Shakespeare's Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Midsummer Night's

DreamDream the movie, the movie, Pretty WomanPretty Woman

mannersmanners - portrays upper-class - portrays upper-class society involved in witty repartee that society involved in witty repartee that focuses on their relationships and focuses on their relationships and "affairs." A comedy of manners focuses "affairs." A comedy of manners focuses on the behavior of men and women on the behavior of men and women who violate the rules and manners of who violate the rules and manners of upper-class society. upper-class society. ExampleExample: : Oscar Wilde's Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being The Importance of Being

EarnestEarnest

farcefarce - "low comedy" with lots of "belly laughs" that - "low comedy" with lots of "belly laughs" that uses quick physical action to induce immediate uses quick physical action to induce immediate laughter. The verbal humor is often crude or laughter. The verbal humor is often crude or ridiculous. Farce is sometimes based on incongruities ridiculous. Farce is sometimes based on incongruities of character and action; a character doing something of character and action; a character doing something that is completely unlike what we would expect of that is completely unlike what we would expect of them. them. ExampleExample: : In Shakespeare uses farcical humor in his play, In Shakespeare uses farcical humor in his play,

Twelfth Night.Twelfth Night. Malvolio, a very prude, self- Malvolio, a very prude, self-important character, is convinced to wear funny important character, is convinced to wear funny clothing and act like a fool (Meyer 900). clothing and act like a fool (Meyer 900).

Most of Jim Carey's comedy is farce. His comedy is Most of Jim Carey's comedy is farce. His comedy is based on quick physical humor and often crude based on quick physical humor and often crude dialogue. dialogue.

satiresatire - mean jokes (barbs) are aimed at - mean jokes (barbs) are aimed at people, ideas or things in order to people, ideas or things in order to improve, correct, or prevent something. improve, correct, or prevent something. ExampleExample: : Again, the character Malvolio in Shakespeare's Again, the character Malvolio in Shakespeare's

play, play, Twelth NightTwelth Night is a satirical character. He is is a satirical character. He is held up for scrutiny and ridicule by other held up for scrutiny and ridicule by other characters and the audience because of his characters and the audience because of his self-important, pompous attitude. Shakespeare self-important, pompous attitude. Shakespeare reveals Malvolio's faults, and shows him to be reveals Malvolio's faults, and shows him to be pathetic. pathetic.

absurd (black)absurd (black) - unusual, some would - unusual, some would say weird or uncomfortable, comedy say weird or uncomfortable, comedy that portrays the world as unstable. that portrays the world as unstable. The action includes improbable events The action includes improbable events with highly unpredictable characters. with highly unpredictable characters. Black comedy is very different from Black comedy is very different from other comedies in that this type tends other comedies in that this type tends to end unhappily. to end unhappily. ExampleExample: : The movies, The movies, Fargo,Fargo, and and Pulp FictionPulp Fiction

ANALYZING DRAMAANALYZING DRAMA

How you react to a play will depend How you react to a play will depend on:on:

your individual perspective of the your individual perspective of the world world

your sense of humor your sense of humor you political attitudes you political attitudes your moral values your moral values

Analysis begins by asking what factors Analysis begins by asking what factors about the play shaped your response.about the play shaped your response.

Aspects of drama that help you to Aspects of drama that help you to enjoy and interpret a play: enjoy and interpret a play: setting setting structure structure characterization characterization theme theme dramatic irony dramatic irony

SettingSetting The scenic design and props. These add meaning The scenic design and props. These add meaning

and historical context to what characters do and and historical context to what characters do and say in the drama. Some components of the say in the drama. Some components of the setting are as follows: setting are as follows:

the the orchestraorchestra, the performance and dancing area for , the performance and dancing area for

actors and chorus, which was utilized by Greek theater actors and chorus, which was utilized by Greek theater to inform audiences of what happens "off stage." (i.e. no to inform audiences of what happens "off stage." (i.e. no murders or suicides were shown; instead, a messenger murders or suicides were shown; instead, a messenger would inform the characters of the news). would inform the characters of the news).

lightinglighting is used to show illusion of time, highlight an is used to show illusion of time, highlight an action, or emphasize an event or character. Lighting is action, or emphasize an event or character. Lighting is more complicated today than it was in ancient times, more complicated today than it was in ancient times, because plays used to be shown only outside. because plays used to be shown only outside.

costumescostumes are used to portray age, class, profession or are used to portray age, class, profession or ethnic culture. ethnic culture.

StructureStructure The way a play is organized into sections. Most The way a play is organized into sections. Most

plays are divided into acts and scenes. Ancient plays are divided into acts and scenes. Ancient Greek drama did not use acts and scenes but had Greek drama did not use acts and scenes but had a system of divisions which were:a system of divisions which were: prologueprologue (exposition) - the introductory speech given to (exposition) - the introductory speech given to

the audience at the beginning of the play. the audience at the beginning of the play. paradosparados (entry of chorus) - the parados is the song (entry of chorus) - the parados is the song

chanted by the chorus on their entry. Their song is usually chanted by the chorus on their entry. Their song is usually about the action of the play and helps to build emotion in about the action of the play and helps to build emotion in the audience. the audience.

episodesepisodes - modern drama would call these scenes, or acts. - modern drama would call these scenes, or acts. There are usually four or five episodes. Each episode There are usually four or five episodes. Each episode consists of dialogue and action that takes place in one consists of dialogue and action that takes place in one location at one time. Each is separated by a location at one time. Each is separated by a choric choric interlude,interlude, or the or the strophestrophe and and antistropheantistrophe. .

choric interludechoric interlude - immediately follows each of the - immediately follows each of the episodes. Like the parados, these are songs or episodes. Like the parados, these are songs or odes performed by the chorus. They serve to odes performed by the chorus. They serve to comment on the characters' actions, express comment on the characters' actions, express emotion, and explain the plot. Also, because emotion, and explain the plot. Also, because Greek theatre had no curtain, the interludes Greek theatre had no curtain, the interludes indicate a change of scene. indicate a change of scene.

strophestrophe and and antistropheantistrophe - these are terms that describe - these are terms that describe the chorus' movement from one side of the stage to the the chorus' movement from one side of the stage to the other. For the strophe, they are on one side of the stage, other. For the strophe, they are on one side of the stage, and for the antistrophe, they move to the other. When and for the antistrophe, they move to the other. When the chorus speaks outside of these interludes, directly the chorus speaks outside of these interludes, directly with the characters, their lines are said by only one with the characters, their lines are said by only one member of the chorus, their leader (Miller 38). member of the chorus, their leader (Miller 38).

exodusexodus - the final scene and resolution. - the final scene and resolution.    

The ancient Greek episodic structural The ancient Greek episodic structural pattern gradually evolved into a five part pattern gradually evolved into a five part division of action. By the 16th century, most division of action. By the 16th century, most plays had five acts with as many scenes as plays had five acts with as many scenes as needed. The playwright determines how needed. The playwright determines how many acts and scenes the play will have.many acts and scenes the play will have.

A traditional play follows the structural A traditional play follows the structural pattern of a traditional short story or novel. pattern of a traditional short story or novel. It has an introduction (exposition), conflict, It has an introduction (exposition), conflict, climax, and a resolution (denouement).climax, and a resolution (denouement).

CharacterizationCharacterization the way the actor portrays the character's the way the actor portrays the character's

qualities and faults. The actor plays a role qualities and faults. The actor plays a role that animates the character's:that animates the character's: traits traits moral qualities moral qualities physical presence physical presence voice voice

qualities of a personality may be either qualities of a personality may be either physical and superficial (physical and superficial (externalexternal) or ) or psychological and spiritual (psychological and spiritual (internalinternal). ). Characters can possess both types of traits.Characters can possess both types of traits.

External characteristicsExternal characteristics (characteristics that flat, (characteristics that flat, one-dimensional characters possess):one-dimensional characters possess): names names physical appearance physical appearance physical nature physical nature manner of speech and accent manner of speech and accent manner of dress manner of dress social status social status class class education education friends friends family family community interests community interests

Internal characteristicsInternal characteristics (characters (characters that round, multi-dimensional that round, multi-dimensional characters possess):characters possess):thoughts thoughts feelings feelings emotions emotions

Types of CharactersTypes of Characters

protagonistprotagonist - the main character of a play, the one - the main character of a play, the one who is the center of action and holds your attention. who is the center of action and holds your attention.

antagonistantagonist (or (or villainvillain) - the character who causes ) - the character who causes problems for the protagonist. problems for the protagonist. ExampleExample: : In Shakespeare's play, In Shakespeare's play, Othello,Othello, Othello is the protagonist Othello is the protagonist

and Iago is the antagonist (Desdemona can also be and Iago is the antagonist (Desdemona can also be considered to be a protagonist). considered to be a protagonist).

In the fairy tale and movie, In the fairy tale and movie, Cinderella,Cinderella, Cinderella is the Cinderella is the protagonist and her wicked step mother is the antagonist. protagonist and her wicked step mother is the antagonist.

foilfoil - the character that acts as the butt of the jokes. - the character that acts as the butt of the jokes. Also a character used to show contrast with the main Also a character used to show contrast with the main character. character.

confidant/confidanteconfidant/confidante - friend or servant of the - friend or servant of the antagonist or protagonist who by "listening" antagonist or protagonist who by "listening" provides the audience with a window into provides the audience with a window into what the major characters are thinking and what the major characters are thinking and feeling. feeling. ExampleExample: : In In Othello,Othello, Desdemona's nurse acts as her Desdemona's nurse acts as her

confidant. confidant. In In Cinderella,Cinderella, the friendly mice serve as the friendly mice serve as

Cinderella's confidants. Cinderella's confidants. stock charactersstock characters - superficial roles. (Ex: comic, - superficial roles. (Ex: comic,

victim, simpleton/fool, braggart, pretender).   victim, simpleton/fool, braggart, pretender).  

ThemeTheme the central purpose or the central purpose or

message of the play as message of the play as developed by the developed by the playwright (i.e. the playwright (i.e. the playwright's message for playwright's message for the audience).   the audience).  

Dramatic ironyDramatic irony the contrast between what the character the contrast between what the character

thinks the truth is and what the audience thinks the truth is and what the audience knows the truth to be. This occurs when the knows the truth to be. This occurs when the speaker fails to recognize the irony of his speaker fails to recognize the irony of his actions. For example, if the speaker were to actions. For example, if the speaker were to put a curse on the murderer without realizing put a curse on the murderer without realizing that he himself is the murderer, then he would that he himself is the murderer, then he would have unwittingly cursed himself. have unwittingly cursed himself. ExampleExample: : In In Oedipus Rex,Oedipus Rex, Oedipus places a curse on the Oedipus places a curse on the

murderer of Laios, not realizing that he was murderer of Laios, not realizing that he was actually that murderer. Since the audience has actually that murderer. Since the audience has information of which Othello is ignorant, they information of which Othello is ignorant, they recognizes the significance of Othello's actions, recognizes the significance of Othello's actions, while he does not. while he does not.