Drama Characteristics of the Genre

History Drama began with the early Greeks who produced religious oriented plays to celebrate the resurrection of the tragic god of vegetation, Dionysus. Drama began with the early Greeks who produced religious oriented plays to celebrate the resurrection of the tragic god of vegetation, Dionysus. The Greeks were a polytheistic culture, believing in many gods. The Greeks were a polytheistic culture, believing in many gods.

Dionysus Was the son of a god, Zeus, and a mortal, Semele. Was the son of a god, Zeus, and a mortal, Semele. Was raised by the nymphs (nature spirits) and celebrated for bringing the rebirth of vegetation in the spring with a great festival. Was raised by the nymphs (nature spirits) and celebrated for bringing the rebirth of vegetation in the spring with a great festival.

The festival of Dionysus Featured a huge drama festival, kind of an Olympics of Drama, in which all of the big playwrights participated Featured a huge drama festival, kind of an Olympics of Drama, in which all of the big playwrights participated Lasted five days Lasted five days Hundreds of people from many towns would gather to feast, pay tribute to the gods, and watch the dramas. Hundreds of people from many towns would gather to feast, pay tribute to the gods, and watch the dramas.

The Drama Competition Each playwright presented four plays: three tragedies and a “satyr” play. Each playwright presented four plays: three tragedies and a “satyr” play. Satyr plays became our modern comedies and satires. Satyr plays became our modern comedies and satires. The priest was the only actor. The priest was the only actor. The priest was followed by a procession of priestesses. The priest was followed by a procession of priestesses.

The Priestesses In later years, the priestesses became the chorus. In later years, the priestesses became the chorus. The chorus sang, danced, and interpreted the actor’s speech and mood. The chorus sang, danced, and interpreted the actor’s speech and mood.

The Goat In myth, Dionysus was supposed to have been “reborn” after an angry goddess ripped him to pieces. In myth, Dionysus was supposed to have been “reborn” after an angry goddess ripped him to pieces. In the early days, a goat (tragos) was dismembered on stage to symbolize the death of Dionysus. From tragos comes the word “tragedy”. In the early days, a goat (tragos) was dismembered on stage to symbolize the death of Dionysus. From tragos comes the word “tragedy”.

Rules of Drama from Ancient Greece to Elizabethan England Royalty made the best subject matter. Royalty made the best subject matter. The importance of “catharsis”- purifying of the emotions through art The importance of “catharsis”- purifying of the emotions through art Men actors only Men actors only The idea of the tragic flaw – hubris – arrogance arising from pride or passion. The idea of the tragic flaw – hubris – arrogance arising from pride or passion.

Types of Drama Comedy entertains, makes us laugh, and has a happy ending. Comedy entertains, makes us laugh, and has a happy ending. Tragedy: a drama in which the main character is destroyed by some combination of chance and character flaw Tragedy: a drama in which the main character is destroyed by some combination of chance and character flaw History: A serious play in which there is some combination of royalty and world-changing events History: A serious play in which there is some combination of royalty and world-changing events

More Types of Drama Melodrama: A slightly serious drama played at a “game level” which exploits exciting actions and uses stereotypical characters Melodrama: A slightly serious drama played at a “game level” which exploits exciting actions and uses stereotypical characters Satire: Drama that ridicules people, ideas, customs, or organizations Satire: Drama that ridicules people, ideas, customs, or organizations

The Actors’ Words Words spoken by the characters in a play are called dialogue. Words spoken by the characters in a play are called dialogue. A solo speech of a single character is called a monologue. A solo speech of a single character is called a monologue. A solo speech, representing the thought of a character, which is not heard by the other actors on stage is called a soliloquy. A solo speech, representing the thought of a character, which is not heard by the other actors on stage is called a soliloquy.

Parts of a Play One event or exchange among characters in the same time and place is a scene. One event or exchange among characters in the same time and place is a scene. A set of related scenes presented without a break is an act. A set of related scenes presented without a break is an act. Narrative in a script that explains where the characters are and what they are doing is called stage direction. Narrative in a script that explains where the characters are and what they are doing is called stage direction.

Dramatic Elements The inner growth and change of a character is shown by the five layers of characterization. The inner growth and change of a character is shown by the five layers of characterization. The main character is called the protagonist. The main character is called the protagonist. The force which stands in the way of the main character is called the antagonist. The force which stands in the way of the main character is called the antagonist.

Dramatic Elements The part of the plot in the first scene which explains what has happened before and which introduces the characters, setting, and basic conflict is called the exposition. The part of the plot in the first scene which explains what has happened before and which introduces the characters, setting, and basic conflict is called the exposition. The confrontation of the main character with some strong opposing force is called the conflict. The confrontation of the main character with some strong opposing force is called the conflict.

Dramatic Elements The point of greatest suspense and tension when the protagonist and antagonist meet for the last time is the climax. The point of greatest suspense and tension when the protagonist and antagonist meet for the last time is the climax.

Literary Elements often used The time and place in which the events occur is called setting. The time and place in which the events occur is called setting. The feelings the audience experiences from the overall experience of a play is the mood. The feelings the audience experiences from the overall experience of a play is the mood. Hints dropped by the author to prepare the reader for future events are called foreshadowing. Hints dropped by the author to prepare the reader for future events are called foreshadowing.

More Often Used Literary Elements The image of a situation or event from the past which interrupts the main action of the play is called a flashback. The image of a situation or event from the past which interrupts the main action of the play is called a flashback. A contrast between what is said and what is meant is called irony. A contrast between what is said and what is meant is called irony.