Plays

Elements of a Play Introduction Introduction Rising Action Rising Action Climax Climax Falling Action Falling Action Conclusion Conclusion

Short Stories VS Plays Vary in length Vary in length More than 2/3 characters More than 2/3 characters More than one event occurring More than one event occurring Short stories often have twist endings Short stories often have twist endings plays are acted out so visual aspects are as important as the words. plays are acted out so visual aspects are as important as the words.

Characters Protagonist – main character Protagonist – main character Antagonist – the person, situation, or inner conflict in opposition to the main character Antagonist – the person, situation, or inner conflict in opposition to the main character Secondary Characters – all other characters Secondary Characters – all other characters

Setting Isn’t explained in words Isn’t explained in words Very visual Very visual Displayed and enhanced through sights, sounds and lighting. Displayed and enhanced through sights, sounds and lighting.

Important Aspects/Parts of Plays Setting Setting Props Props Costumes Costumes Body Language Body Language Tone/Pitch of voice Tone/Pitch of voice Facial expressions Facial expressions Words/lyrics Words/lyrics

WICKED/ Frankenstein

Monologue - is when the character may be speaking his or her thoughts aloud, directly addressing another character, or speaking to the audience Monologue - is when the character may be speaking his or her thoughts aloud, directly addressing another character, or speaking to the audience Soliloquy – when a character is revealing their thoughts to the audience. They are talking to themselves. The other characters cannot hear what is being said. Soliloquy – when a character is revealing their thoughts to the audience. They are talking to themselves. The other characters cannot hear what is being said. Tragic Flaw – a flaw in the protagonists personality that brings the protagonist to ruin or sorrow. Tragic Flaw – a flaw in the protagonists personality that brings the protagonist to ruin or sorrow. Deus Ex Machina - an outside force that solves a seemingly unsolvable problem in an extremely unlikely (and, usually, anticlimactic) way. Deus Ex Machina - an outside force that solves a seemingly unsolvable problem in an extremely unlikely (and, usually, anticlimactic) way. Comic relief – A humorous break in a serious literary work or drama, especially a tragedy, intended to relieve the dramatic tension Comic relief – A humorous break in a serious literary work or drama, especially a tragedy, intended to relieve the dramatic tension

Genres of Plays While there are many different types of plays eg. Musicals, histories, satires etc. They typically fall under these three categories. Comedy Comedy Tragedy Tragedy Tragicomedy Tragicomedy

Comedies is a humourous work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter is a humourous work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter The first comedies were mainly satirical and mocked men in power for their vanity and foolishness. Comedies generally end in a celebration, typically a wedding. The first comedies were mainly satirical and mocked men in power for their vanity and foolishness. Comedies generally end in a celebration, typically a wedding. The ending has a full resolution. The ending has a full resolution.

Tragicomedy Plays that uses a plot suitable for a tragedy but ends happily, like a comedy. Plays that uses a plot suitable for a tragedy but ends happily, like a comedy. Events seem to be leading towards a tragic catastrophe but an unexpected turn of events create a happy ending. Events seem to be leading towards a tragic catastrophe but an unexpected turn of events create a happy ending. Uses Deus ex Machina to resolve conflict Uses Deus ex Machina to resolve conflict E.g. it was all a dream, the gods came and took the little girl away, I found a pot of money behind this tree.

Tragedies Deal with big themes such as love, loss, pride, abuse of power, and the relationship between men and god(s). Deal with big themes such as love, loss, pride, abuse of power, and the relationship between men and god(s). Main character typically creates a terrible crime without realizing how foolish or arrogant their being. (Tragic Flaw) The character usually realizes their error the world is crumbling around them Main character typically creates a terrible crime without realizing how foolish or arrogant their being. (Tragic Flaw) The character usually realizes their error the world is crumbling around them Tragedies typically end in death Tragedies typically end in death Show Simpson’s Show Simpson’s