Key Terms for Studying Drama

Definition  Unlike short stories or novels, dramas/plays are written for the express purpose of performance.

Definition  Actors play roles and present the storyline through dialogue, action, and gestures.

Definitions  For the most part, plays have no narrators. (There are a few notable exceptions to this rule, such as Our Town.)  The audience can only understand the story by paying attention to the action on stage.

Dealing with Details  Special features of plays/dramas: –divided into acts/scenes. –Scripts feature lists of characters and stage directions which require the reader to pause and visualize the set up. –Readers and actors must pay close attention to the dialogue in order to understand the characters and action.

Important Terms  Monologue – an extended speech by one character.  Soliloquy – an extended speech by one character, alone on stage. Soliloquies are used to express the private thoughts of one character.  Aside – a character’s direct address to the audience, which is not heard by the other characters.

 Monologues, soliloquies, and asides are dramatic techniques that provide direct insight into motives, attitudes, and overall tone.  These techniques function like a fictional narrator.

Two Basic “Flavors”  Tragedy Tragedies treat serious subjects and often focus on the tragic hero’s character. Tragedies usually end with death.  Comedy Comedies are dramatic works which use humor to explore various themes and characters. Comedies usually end on a happy note.

More Terms  Dramatic Irony –Playwrights use dramatic irony when they allow the audience to know more than the characters do about a specific situation or incident.

Key Terms  Realism –Realistic drama deals frankly with social issues and contemporary life. Instead of focusing on the lives of kings or great heroes, these dramas present a look at ordinary people and everyday problems.

Key Terms  Satire –The term satire refers to social criticism that is cloaked in comedy and used to ridicule social institutions and figureheads.  Farce –The term farce refers to comedy that lapses into ludicrous, improbable plots, mockery, and even slapstick.

Plot  The overall storyline and sequence of events is known as the plot.

Elements of Plot  Exposition – introduces the characters, setting and basic situation.  Rising action – presents the central conflict, complications, suspense and crisis.  Climax – the point of greatest tension.

Elements of Plot  Falling action – subsiding intensity.  Denouement – the resolution which ties up loose ends and concludes the action.

Recognizing the Theme  Most written works have a central theme and several additional themes. Our Town Theme: Appreciate life, even the simple things.