1. Introduction to Drama http://www.mesastate.edu/schools/shss/fpa/theatre/photogallery/trojan.htm

2. Drama Combines aspects of all three Literary Genres Literature Literature Drama can be fictional or factual Drama can be fictional or factual It can also be commercial or literary It can also be commercial or literary Drama shares many of the common literary elements like plot, setting, characterization, and dialog Drama shares many of the common literary elements like plot, setting, characterization, and dialog Poetry Poetry Many plays are written in verse (for example, “Oedipus Rex” and “Othello”) Many plays are written in verse (for example, “Oedipus Rex” and “Othello”) Drama Drama Its unique characteristic is that it is written to be performed Its unique characteristic is that it is written to be performed

3. Three Major Characteristics of Drama 1. It has a direct, immediate impact 1. It has a direct, immediate impact Advantages: Advantages: Simultaneous impressions occur Simultaneous impressions occur Performance can be more expressive than a reader’s imagination Performance can be more expressive than a reader’s imagination Disadvantages: Disadvantages: Limited to one viewpoint—objective (dramatic) Limited to one viewpoint—objective (dramatic) Writers try to overcome this by using the soliloquy and the aside to accomplish what the omniscient viewpoint achieves in the short story genre Writers try to overcome this by using the soliloquy and the aside to accomplish what the omniscient viewpoint achieves in the short story genre

4. 2. Drama effectively commands the spectator’s attention 2. Drama effectively commands the spectator’s attention Advantage: The playwright’s power extends beyond words alone Advantage: The playwright’s power extends beyond words alone Disadvantage: The materials one can use on stage are limited Disadvantage: The materials one can use on stage are limited

5. 3. The experience of watching a play is communal 3. The experience of watching a play is communal Advantage: Impact is intensified. Advantage: Impact is intensified. Disadvantages: There is a need for brevity, swift movement of plot, and intermissions Disadvantages: There is a need for brevity, swift movement of plot, and intermissions

6. Plays are meant to be seen. However, there are justifications for reading a play It is better to know some masterpieces by reading them than never to know them at all It is better to know some masterpieces by reading them than never to know them at all Reading allows fuller use of the imagination Reading allows fuller use of the imagination It allows one to study at leisure It allows one to study at leisure It allows for review It allows for review It permits one to see the original intent of the author without intervention by a director It permits one to see the original intent of the author without intervention by a director

7. Historical Moves In this class, we will cover five plays spanning five periods In this class, we will cover five plays spanning five periods Greek Drama (5th Century B.C.) Greek Drama (5th Century B.C.) Elizabethan Drama (1500-1600) Elizabethan Drama (1500-1600) 20th Century American drama (1916) 20th Century American drama (1916) 20th Century Modern Realistic Drama (1949) 20th Century Modern Realistic Drama (1949) Theatre of the Absurd (1959) Theatre of the Absurd (1959)

8. The History of Western Drama is Rooted in Ancient Greece A Greek theatre on Mount Parnassus above Delphi http://www.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/tragedy_theater.html

9. Greek Theatre http://anarchon.tripod.com/indexGREEKTH.html http://anarchon.tripod.com/indexGREEKTH.html http://anarchon.tripod.com/indexGREEKTH.html Ancient Greek theatre developed as part of religious festivals Ancient Greek theatre developed as part of religious festivals A “choric hymn” called the dithyramb was composed in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility A “choric hymn” called the dithyramb was composed in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility The hymn was sung by a chorus of 50 men The hymn was sung by a chorus of 50 men Over time, Thespis, the first actor, added dialog between one actor and the chorus Over time, Thespis, the first actor, added dialog between one actor and the chorus

10. Thespis Added the first actor to interact with the dithyramb chorus Added the first actor to interact with the dithyramb chorus Called the actor the “protagonist” Called the actor the “protagonist” Is said to have performed in Athens in 534 B.C. Is said to have performed in Athens in 534 B.C. The term “thespian,” (having to do with drama or theater) comes from his name. The term “thespian,” (having to do with drama or theater) comes from his name. When the Dionysian festivals changed to drama competitions, Thespis was the first winner When the Dionysian festivals changed to drama competitions, Thespis was the first winner

11. Golden Age of Greece (480 - 338 BC) Featured 3 great tragic dramatists: Featured 3 great tragic dramatists: Aeschylus (525-456 BC) Aeschylus (525-456 BC) Sophocles (496-405 BC) Sophocles (496-405 BC) Euripedes (480-407 BC) Euripedes (480-407 BC)

12. Aeschylus (around 484 B.C.) Aeschylus (around 484 B.C.) Changed the dithyramb into drama Changed the dithyramb into drama Added a second actor Added a second actor Added props and scenery Added props and scenery Reduced the chorus from 50 to 15 Reduced the chorus from 50 to 15 Sophocles Sophocles Added a third actor Added a third actor Changed the focus from interactions between humans and the gods to interactions between humans Changed the focus from interactions between humans and the gods to interactions between humans Euripides Euripides Reflects modern attitudes Reflects modern attitudes Writes about all real people, not just royalty Writes about all real people, not just royalty Plays have a realistic flavor Plays have a realistic flavor

13. Physical Conventions of Greek Theatre Semi-circular tiers of seats hollowed out of the hillside Semi-circular tiers of seats hollowed out of the hillside Seated up to 17,000 spectators Seated up to 17,000 spectators Orchestra Orchestra 60 ft. in diameter with altar at center 60 ft. in diameter with altar at center Place where the chorus performed Place where the chorus performed Performances occurred in daylight Performances occurred in daylight Chorus of 15 Chorus of 15 Sang and danced in response to the actors Sang and danced in response to the actors

15. Chorus Forerunner of our divisions of plays into acts and scenes Forerunner of our divisions of plays into acts and scenes Function in telling story: Function in telling story: converses with main character(s) sometimes comments on the action offers words of warning, advice voices reactions of spectators

16. Actors Maximum of 3 with speaking roles Maximum of 3 with speaking roles Could double, triple their roles Could double, triple their roles All male All male Wore masks Wore masks Wore buskins Wore buskins Elevator boots to increase stature Elevator boots to increase stature

17. Other Characteristics of Greek Drama: Some unhappy endings Some unhappy endings Few or no horrible scenes on stage Few or no horrible scenes on stage Female roles played by men Female roles played by men Simple stage props Simple stage props Religious in origin and spirit Religious in origin and spirit Romantic love not important Romantic love not important Employed Aristotle’s classical unities Employed Aristotle’s classical unities

18. Aristotle’s Rules and Purpose for Ancient Drama Classical Unities Classical Unities Unity of time (action must occur within 24 hours) Unity of time (action must occur within 24 hours) Unity of place (action takes place in one location) Unity of place (action takes place in one location) Unity of action (single plot) Unity of action (single plot) Catharsis Catharsis Socially acceptable purging of emotions such as anger, fear, or grief Socially acceptable purging of emotions such as anger, fear, or grief

19. Two Main Types of Greek Drama with sub-genres Tragedy Tragedy Melodrama Melodrama Comedy Comedy Farce Farce

20. Characteristics of Greek Tragedy Characteristics of Greek Tragedy Displays human greatness Displays human greatness Emphasizes human freedom Emphasizes human freedom Exposes the nobility of man Exposes the nobility of man Presents challenges to the vision of human possibility Presents challenges to the vision of human possibility Adheres to Aristotle’s classical unities Adheres to Aristotle’s classical unities

21. Characteristics of the Tragic Hero Overpowering individual Overpowering individual Usually named in the play’s title Usually named in the play’s title Judged by moral standards Judged by moral standards Isolated Isolated Lofty and noble Lofty and noble Has a tragic flaw Has a tragic flaw

22. Melodrama A sub-genre of Tragedy A sub-genre of Tragedy Attempts to arouse feelings of fear and pity Attempts to arouse feelings of fear and pity Uses crude means Uses crude means Oversimplified conflict Oversimplified conflict Emphasis on plot Emphasis on plot Good triumphs over evil Good triumphs over evil Happy ending Happy ending Usually escapist Usually escapist

23. Characteristics of Comedy Emphasizes commonness of the group Emphasizes commonness of the group Protagonist tends to be a type Protagonist tends to be a type Protagonist is judged by social standards Protagonist is judged by social standards Plots are less likely to have organic unity Plots are less likely to have organic unity Usually happy ending Usually happy ending

24. Farce A sub-genre of Comedy A sub-genre of Comedy Aims at explosive laughter Aims at explosive laughter Crude means Crude means Violent, usually physical conflicts Violent, usually physical conflicts Emphasis on plot, improbable situations, coincidence Emphasis on plot, improbable situations, coincidence Coarse wit, practical jokes, physical action Coarse wit, practical jokes, physical action Usually escapist Usually escapist

25. This ends the introductory discussion of drama