Elements of Play Analysis The Structure of Drama Elements of Play Analysis
Elements of Plot Exposition: important background information on characters, setting (time and place), and the situation in which the characters find themselves Mood and Atmosphere are established during the exposition Moodbrought out by opening characters, their attitudes toward each other, and their manner of speaking and moving Atmospherecreated by staging and lighting Consider what has happened to these people just before the play begins
Elements of Plot Inciting Incident: this is the first important event to take place; introduces the main conflict Rising Action: series of events that following the inciting incident, complicating the plot and the conflict Each situation adds to the level of interest and suspense Climax: the highest point of interest; the most crucial event of the play Determines what the outcome of the conflict will be Falling Action: series of events that immediately follow the climax Denoument/Resolution: the final outcome of the play
Characters in a Play Protagonist Antagonist Secondary characters—supporting cast Minor characters—very small, walk on roles
Theme Refers to the universal message regarding humanity that the author tries to bring out in the play Determining Theme First, figure out the main subject of the play Ex: Romeo and Juliet—blood feud between two families Then try to explain in one sentence what the author wants the audience to think about the subject by the end of the show Participating in a blood feud never ends well and can result in the loss of your most precious and vulnerable family members. Once you’ve determined the theme, find two or three quotations from the play that support your opinion Ex: “See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, that Heaven finds means to kill your joys with love” (V.iii)
Varieties of Drama Tragedy: a play in which the protagonist fails to achieve desired goals or is overcome by opposing forces Usually ends in the protagonist’s death Through sacrifice and suffering can humans achieve nobility Characteristics of Tragedy Main character must suffer Inevitability—the protagonist cannot avoid fate Pathos: the power to arouse feelings of pity and compassion in an audience Tragic hero
Varieties in Drama Comedy Light topics, written with clever dialogue, peopled with amusing characters involved in funny situations. Generally have happily-ever-after endings Types of Comedies Farce: comedy that aims at entertaining by means of unlikely situations, exaggerated characters, and slapstick elements Slapstick? Pie in the face, ears pulled—think Three Stooges http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yJBhzMWJCc Romantic Comedy Social Comedy: the problem play—fix the wrongs of society through humor Comedy of Manners: built on the use of clever language and wit
Theatrical Styles Style refers to the way a play is written, acted, and produced Classicism: based on Greek and Roman Theatre; unique feature=Chorus Fantasy: deals with unreal characters in dreams and scenes imaginary in time and space; characters might have supernatural powers, be gods or witches, etc. Romanticism: life is shown as people dream it should be Realism: depict life as it actually is Symbolism: drama that emphasizes theme and ideas through props or characters Allegory: play teaches a moral concept through characters who represent abstract qualities, such as Truth, Justice, Love, etc.