1. Study of Drama
AP Literature Q4

2. What is “drama”?
It is NOT when persons A and C were caught Snap Chatting under the bleachers about some Netflix and chill even though person A has already promised person B, who caught them, they he/she would go to the prom with him/her.
In AP LIT TERMS, drama is THEATRE! (that one is for you, Ashley S).

3. Learning Goal
Students will be able to read drama fluently, from modern to classic, and understand the importance of interpretation of character, and other Aristotelian elements of both comedy and tragedy, in order to more fully understand the evolution of theater and its impact on the various audiences.

4. Scale
4- THESPIAN STAR 3- SMALL ROLES and BIT PARTS 2- INGENUE (it means a female new to acting)/ NOVICE 1- I ONLY DO COMMERCIALS FOR HEMHORROID CRÈME 0- I’M JUST A WAITER/WAITRESS

5. Why is it important?
There are elements to drama that do not exist in other works of literature.
Drama is MEANT to be SEEN and EXPERIENCED, unfortunately, for the purpose of the exam, we also must be able to analytically READ it

6. Characteristics and History
Tragedy and comedy have evolved over time and offer and interesting way of looking at how time, place and ideas are reflected in drama, and in life.
What are the characteristics of modern tragedy and comedy? What movies or televisions shows would you categorizes as either a tragedy or comedy?

7. Tragedy vs Comedy What is the broad definition?
Tragedy=depicts a downfall, or there is a fatal misjudgment that leads to a fall.
Comedy=a happy ending, and a typical theme of someone rising to a fortune (this doesn’t always mean $)
See class note print out that elaborates on these 2 genres.

8. Broad Terms to Know
Dramatic Irony- When the audience knows something the characters do not
Stage Direction- What the author includes for “blocking” (stage movement and placement, emotion) to assure the correct interpretation by actors
Aside- When a character addresses the audience or him/herself instead of speaking to other characters

9. More Terms Act- The “Chapter” of a play
Scene- The “Subchapter” of a play
Line- The character’s line/ place within the scene
POV- a unique POV is provided in drama as EVERY character is speaking, and there is usually no “narrator” therefore it is never omniscient (exception: Greek chorus)

10. Well-made Play (French, 1800s)
First, the story depends upon a key piece of information kept from some characters, but known to others (and to the audience).
Most of the story takes place before the action of the play begins, making the beginning of the play a late point of attack.
Exposition during act one explains actions that precede the opening scene, and generates the audience's sympathy for the hero (or heroes) over their rival (or rivals).
The plot moves forward in a chain of actions that use minor reversals of fortune to create suspense.
The pace builds towards a climactic obligatory scene, in which the hero triumphs. This scene contains a climactic reversal of fortune, or peripeteia.
A dénouement follows, in which all remaining plot points are unraveled and resolved.
(thank you, Wikipedia)

11. A “Well-Made Play”
Oscar Wilde, author of The Importance of Being Earnest, has constructed an exaggerated version of a well-made play
Stock characters and situations (e.g. [is this the right one, Nate?] the use of letters or papers falling into unintended hands) in order to bring about plot twists and climaxes
Mistaken or mysterious identity as a basis for plot complications is referred to as quid pro quo