1. Elements of Drama Survey of Literature Class Notes

2. Where drama comes from: Story Story Memory Memory Imagination & Fantasy Imagination & Fantasy Physical Action Physical Action Human Motives Human Motives –Stated desires, needs –Unstated desires, needs

3. The Framework of Drama (common terms) Characters Characters Conflict Conflict Tension Tension Action Action Dialogue Dialogue Climax Climax Change Change

4. We care for Characters because they… Are linked to the audience by humanity; Are linked to the audience by humanity; Are involved in conflicts that seem real to the audience; Are involved in conflicts that seem real to the audience; Are engaged in situations that matter (life, self-respect, beliefs/moral choices, security, happiness); Are engaged in situations that matter (life, self-respect, beliefs/moral choices, security, happiness); Show as well as tell truths. Show as well as tell truths.

5. Conflicts Man vs. Man Man vs. Man Man vs. Self Man vs. Self Man vs. Nature Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society Man vs. Society Note: Opposing forces can come from within and from without. Note: Opposing forces can come from within and from without.

6. The Playwright’s Tools Script & Scenes Script & Scenes Characters Characters Costumes Costumes Lighting Lighting Scenery Scenery Props Props

7. To Read a Play Return to the cast of characters as needed Return to the cast of characters as needed Pay attention to stage directions Pay attention to stage directions Note the non-vocal effects (pauses, time for movement, turns, asides, etc.) Note the non-vocal effects (pauses, time for movement, turns, asides, etc.) Identify with the characters’ emotions by thinking “If that was me, I would….” Identify with the characters’ emotions by thinking “If that was me, I would….”

8. Reading the Play (Background Knowledge) Be aware of irony Be aware of irony –Dramatic Irony (audience knows more than characters on stage) –Verbal Irony (character says something that means much more than it is intended to mean Be alert for Allusions Be alert for Allusions –References to classical situations or archetypes

9. Reading the Play (More Background Knowledge) Metaphorical Language Metaphorical Language –Comparisons between unlike ideas or things –Ex: Creon’s comparison of Thebes and a ship on the ocean Character Relationships Character Relationships –Who’s who –Foil characters (characters whose features or attitudes highlight others characters by contrast (ex. Ismene to Antigone)