1. Unit Two: Drama

2. Drama Terms
Drama – Literature intended for performance before an audience
Comedy – An amusing and entertaining drama ending happily presenting the “lighter side” of life
Tragedy – Serious and somber drama ending in disaster and experiencing unexpected personal reversals

3. Drama terms (cont’d.)
Plot – consists of exposition, conflict, crisis, climax, and denouement
Exposition – Information about setting, characters, and situation
Prologue – Introductory statement in prose or verse
Soliloquy – Monologue delivered by a character while alone on stage

4. Drama Terms (cont’d.)
Conflict – Opposition that gives rise to the dramatic action
Protagonist – Central character of a play
Antagonist – Forces or people united against the protagonist
Crisis – Conflict intensifying
Climax – Point of greatest tension in a drama
Denouement - Resolution of conflict

5. Drama Terms (cont’d.)
Physical suggestion – Allows audience to see a part of the character’s personality and movement
Character differentiation – vocal skills that help to distinguish characters by age, voice tone, health, mood, and movement rhythms
Stage directions – basic movements and vocalizations outlined by the playwright

6. Brief History of Drama
Greek Period – Tragic plays; little or no set; didn’t linger on unimportant details

7. History (cont’d.)
Roman Period – Comedies; rapid and conversational; witty and humorous

8. History (cont’d.)
Middle Ages – Drama came mainly from the church; Biblical or ethical plots

9. History (cont’d.)
Renaissance/Elizabethan – Renewed interest in Greek and Roman classics. Shakespeare is the most famous of the Elizabethan playwrights

10. History (cont’d.)
Restoration – Comedies written for the social circle of English ladies and gentlemen, the rich.

11. History (cont’d.)
Realism – Actor does not acknowledge the audience. Deals with real life situations.

12. History (cont’d.)
Expressionism – Distorts major features for effect. Used to express loathing for materialism and industrialism.

13. History (cont’d.)
Theater of the Absurd – Emphasizes the absurdity of existence. Suggests that it is impossible to be certain about anything.

14. Drama Interpretation Assignment
Choose a 4-6 minute scene from a play involving no more than three characters
You may choose one of the plays included in chapter 6, or choose one of your own.
Fill out the analysis sheet for Drama
Write an introduction and be sure to include the title and playwright as part of this.
Decide on character placements to be used
Practice, practice, practice!!!!