Drama: Major genre of literature; performed on stage Feeling Dramatic? Elements of Drama Drama: Major genre of literature; performed on stage

Elements of Drama The earliest plays were staged over 2500 years ago in ancient Greece Plays weren’t read as books, but only experienced by seeing them performed The word drama comes from a Greek word that means “to do”; theater comes from a Greek word that means “place for seeing” Characters are introduced, conflict develops and becomes more complicated, tension reaches a climax, which becomes the turning point in the action, resolution brings change in characters and/or the situation, and the elements work together to communicate a theme

Drama Serious Drama– realistic characters and situations; ending my be happy or sad Classic Drama– any drama written in classical Greece from 6 B.C. on; often based on myths or legends known to Greek audiences Take note of Chorus, who often foreshadows or summarizes events Shakespearean Drama- any of the 37 plays written by Shakespeare

1. Characters The characters in a drama speak for themselves. There is no narrator. The characters’ personalities are revealed by their own words and the words of other characters. The main character of the play who is most involved in the conflict is called the hero.

Tragic Hero A tragic hero is a man of noble stature with a quality of greatness about him, but he is destroyed in the end of the play. Shakespeare follows Aristotle’s model of the tragic hero: A. He is of noble birth B. He has a tragic flaw which leads to his downfall

Tragic Hero C. There is a reversal of fortune for the hero which is brought about by the hero’s tragic flaw D. His actions result in an increase of self-awareness or self-knowledge. E. The audience must feel fear or pity for this hero.

Tragic Hero The hero’s downfall is the result of his own free choice, but his misfortune is influenced by fate. His death brings about greater knowledge and awareness for the character himself, for other characters, and for the audience. His downfall is usually caused by extreme hubris: excessive pride.

Tragic Hero Shakespeare uses common traits in his tragedies to influence the hero’s downfall: Insanity Sleepwalking Hallucinations Supernatural: ghosts; witches Fate

2. Plot The structure of the plot (the action that grows from conflict) of the play depends on the type of play. Play: drama performed by life actors, classified by view of life they present and their style There are two types of plays: Comedy Tragedy

2. Plot (cont.) Comedy: The comedy is a play that is light-hearted and end happily. The comedy begins with all the characters together at either a wedding feast or a funeral. There is something which causes a separation of the characters. The plot of the play is concerned with reuniting the characters at the end. There is some humor involved in the play.

2. Plot (cont.) Tragedy: Central character meets with an unfortunate ending Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet are both tragedies. The tragedy’s plot is structured in the form of a triangle.

2. Plot Structure of the Tragedy

2. Plot (cont.) A. Exposition: (Act I.) The exposition reveals all the characters, the conflict, and the setting. B. Rising Action: (Act II.) The rising action reveals a plot in which all seems well with the main characters. It seems as though the conflict is on its way to a peaceful resolution.

2. Plot (cont.) C. Turning Point: (Act III.) The turning point consists of an instance in the play where the plot turns toward a tragic downfall. D. Falling Action: (Act IV) The falling action reveals a plot where it is clear that the resolution to the play will be a tragic one. There is no hope of a peaceful resolution.

2. Plot (cont.) E. Resolution: (Act V.) The resolution of the tragedy is always an unhappy one. It usually ends with the death of the tragic hero.

3. Acts and Scenes: The play is divided into acts and scenes. The acts and scenes are used by the playwright to reveal changes in setting and to reveal movement in plot. Any major changes in setting and plot is introduced by the chorus. The chorus is a single character who comes on stage to tell the audience about changes before each act begins.

4. Dialogue Drama is not written as prose. Each character speaks for himself or herself. Therefore, the drama is divided into lines of dialogue.

5. Theme The drama has a clear theme. In most plays, the theme is actually stated by a character of the play. There are many motifs (recurring themes/ ideas), which contribute to the revelation of the overall theme of the play.

How to Read a Drama Read cast of characters Read stage directions Keep track of plot development Look for themes

How to Understand Classical or Shakespearean Drama Read the passages silently, then aloud (language is difficult but meaning becomes more clear when read aloud) Visualize the action Think about the characters and their conflict (strengths and weaknesses, motives and conflicts, tragic flaws)