Introduction to Play Analysis Book by: Cal Pritner & Scott E. Walters

Why & what of Play analysis Play text demands more than reading, following direction; demand analysis and interpretation. Analysis ~ process of identifying separate elements of the play Interpretation ~ process of clarifying & communicating what we understand of the elements we are able to identify (through reading)

Why & what of play analysis Overarching process is Play Analysis Play analysis guides us in the exploring of a play’s complexities Helping to explore a great play’s profoundness If actually producing play ~ also allows all in theatre process of collaborating & communicating production

What & why play analysis Purposeful Systematic Interpretative reading Multiple readings / each time with a purpose Asking increasingly complex ?’s of the text

What & why of play analysis Reading at multiple levels – Analysis (identifying parts of play) Interpretation (clarifying understanding) Synthesis (bringing parts together into a coherent interpreted whole).

Why & what of play analysis Components of play analysis ~ Examine how the story is told When & where it is set How the “when” & “where” affect the story’s characters How the characters interact w/ each other & audience How they speak & think How they agree & disagree How playwright intends the information to be shared w/ audience

Multiple levels for analysis 1st Level ~ First Impression First reading of a play includes systematic note taking Readers 1st impressions comes from 2 main sources – Dialogue & Stage Direction Note taking (annotation) helps reader record impressions. Record overall mood

Multiple levels for analysis 2nd Level ~ Gathering Information Considering the play’s time and location – must consider: Politics Economics Religion Ethnicity Family Culture values affect the characters’ thinking, language, & behavior (may require research)

Multiple levels for analysis 3rd Level ~ Interpretation Focus on characters / raising questions of fact What characters do & say How characters differ from each other Great plays possess characters who are interesting because they are unique & complex.

Multiple levels for analysis 4th Level ~ Synthesis Ultimate goal is to reach a comprehensive understanding of the play Conflict is the essence of drama. Thus conflict-resolution functions as the play’s core. Conflict analysis is central to synthesizing (creating) your analysis. Great plays present multiple themes Conflict-resolution process is the framework around themes, ideas, characters – producing unity in the play.

First reading First reading = First level 1st reading ~ read for information ~ information that we will eventually analyze 1st reading provides impressions you want to retain, examine & analyze. v

First Reading Unlike what I originally started with…. Read the ENTIRE play in ONE (1) sitting (smile) Probably will take you 2-3 hours Taking notes will add an extra hour to the process. Allow 4 hours for the first reading. (smile)

First reading Imagine an audience’s 1st experience of it in the theatre Seeking to form a 1st impression of the play for yourself. Absorb the play as a whole

First reading Keep characters & relationships in mind Read descriptions of objects / people / visualizing the time and space Imagine the sounds and rhythms of human speech Absorb the play’s emotions & moods Keep a pencil available & write in the margins Bookmark cast list as you will frequent it

First reading Pay attention to descriptions of characters’ physical actions ~ even small actions can have much impact in a play Read as a detective – on the lookout for information that may turn out to be important. Shared & unshared information will affect the plot & character relationships.

first reading In play analysis ~ think of Talk as Action. Dialogue = Doing Play analysis requires we “read” people through word choice. Study how characters speak differently to others. Ex: a character speaks differently to a boss, mother, father, sister – how language reflects character using different tactics in different relationships (maybe for manipulation)

First reading Do NOT apply theories to your first reading . Attempt to understand your own reaction to the play’s overall moods. Ask yourself: “What is my emotional response to the play? What prompted this response? How might an audience experience the play in performance? “ Mood = comic, serious, tragic, mixture of many…

First reading During 1st reading, attempt to identify some essential structures that characterize most comedies & tragedies. Comedies: 1-2 structures, love, romance & misunderstands. Tartuffe is a comedy where there is a blocking character. Tartuffe (the character) tries to marry Orgon’s daughter who is engaged to another (Valere).

First reading Tragedies: Has historically involved a centra character who commits and act that has disruptive consequences. Disruption and suffering are caused by a character & effects other characters Restores order, personal, community, political, or natural order

First reading Drama: Fully comic or fully tragic. Often has romance, but not treated as a comedy. Emphasis not on what keeps lovers apart. Not tragic – not seeing characters struggling to restore order from negative events.

Homework Read full play of Tartuffe, by Moliere Due Monday. Wednesday we will further discuss Play analysis. Monday we will dive into Tartuffe.