DRAMA

INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES

Drama is a species of literature whose basic medium is spoken language. Drama can be read, somewhat like a poem or novel. But the word drama comes from the Greek word meaning act.

DRAMA

Drama is spoken language acted, to be produced for public exhibition, usually upon a stage. Drama as a complete work of art exists in the presentation.

Drama

Unlike novels or short stories, plays have special features.

Plays are divided into acts and 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.

Much of what modern commentators say about drama goes back to theories Aristotle put forth in his Poetics. His ideas were interpreted as rules. They interpreted tragedy as a serious action whose consequences reached sometimes as far as the gods.

Aristotle and the Elements of Drama

The rules devised in the eighteenth century (and earlier) insisted on the unities: that there be only one plot in a tragedy, That the action should take place in one locale, that it should be completed in one day, and that the main character should display a unity of behavior.

Aristotle felt that tragedy evoke or ought to evoke two emotions from the audience:

Pity sympathy for the tragic hero

Fear the awareness that such a fate could be fall anyone.

No other art comes closer to life and hence drama, more than any other art.

This led Aristotle to his theory of art as the imitation of nature nature being life in general not just outdoors.

THE IMITATION OF LIFE

It is read, but basically, it is composed to be performed, so the ultimate aim of dramatic composition is for it to be presented on stage before an audience. This implies that it is a medium of communication. It uses actors to convey this message. mimesis or imitation.

Characteristics of DRAMA

Mimesis or imitation
We say that drama is mimetic which means that it imitates life.

It is this mimetic impulse of drama that makes it appeal to people. Drama thrives on action.

The term drama Performance is used at the Composition following three Branch of (3) different Literature. levels:

Drama is used for plays that are acted on stage or screen. They must tell stories which are acted out by actors and actresses. These actors and actresses must be playing roles by imitating other characters.

(1) Performance

Drama is used to describe a dramatic composition which employs language and pantomime to present a story or series of events intended to be performed. Sometimes, especially with written compositions, they may not be presented on stage . In as much as a play is enjoyed more when it is performed, you can still read a play and be entertained by it.

(2) Composition

Drama is a branch of literature that covers dramatic composition.

Drama is a literary art. The basic difference between drama and other forms of literature is that drama is presented in dialogue from the beginning to the end. Any information by the playwright is given in stage- direction.

(3) Branch of Literature

1. It has a direct, immediate impact Advantages: Simultaneous impressions occur Performance can be more expressive than a readers imagination Disadvantages: Limited to one viewpointobjective (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

Three Major Characteristics of Drama

2. Drama effectively commands the spectators attention Advantage: The playwrights power extends beyond words alone Disadvantage: The materials one can use on stage are limited

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

It is better to know some masterpieces by reading them than never to know them at all Reading allows fuller use of the imagination It allows one to study at leisure It allows for review It permits one to see the original intent of the author without intervention by a director

Plays are meant to be seen. However, there are justifications for reading a play

Drama is used to entertain, inform and educate people.

For instance, most campaigns against AIDS, DRUG ABUSE, CHILD ABUSE and so on, are presented in form of drama to educate, enlighten while at the same time entertain the people

Functions of Drama

Drama is in the best position to mirror his society and to effect social reforms. This is because his work has a unique characteristic of presenting events in a vivid, picturesque and realistic manner. This helps to imprint social conditions realistically in the minds of the audience. Its message is therefore immediate.

Functions of Drama

In most traditional societies, drama forms part of the communal rites. In Africa, re-enactment of some feats like hunting, warfare, and other events, are usually part of bigger festivals.

In Greece also, drama formed part of a bigger festival. Greek drama is acclaimed to be the earliest recorded form of drama (5th century B.C). It is said to have originated from the Dionysian religious rites, and also remained a communal rite during the classical period.

Functions of Drama

In most traditional societies, drama forms part of the communal rites.

In the Medieval period, drama was used to elucidate the message of the gospel through the re-enactment of the biblical stories during mass. It was later expanded to include the dramatization of the lives of the saints.

Functions of Drama

Setting identifies the time and place in which the events occur. It consists of the historical period, the moment, day and season in which the incidents take place. It also includes the sceneries in the performance which are usually found in the preliminary descriptions.

Characters are the people in the play and thus considered as the principal material in a drama.

Physical

Physical identifies peripheral facts such as age, sexual category, size, race and color. It deals with external attributes which may be envisaged from the description of the playwright or deduced from what the characters say or what other characters verbalize about his appearance.

Social

Social embraces all aspects that can be gleaned from the characters world or environment as exemplified by the economic status, occupation or trade, creed, familial affiliation of the characters.

Character Aspects

Psychological Psychological discloses the inner mechanism of the mind of the character as exemplified by his habitual responses, attitudes, longings, purposes, likes and dislikes. It is considered as the most indispensable level of character categorization because routines and emotions, thoughts, attitude and behavior enable the readers to know the character intrinsically.

Moral

Moral discloses the decisions of the characters, either socially acceptable or not, exposing their intentions, thus projecting what is upright or not.

Character Aspects

Plot lays out the series of events that form the entirety of the play. It serves as a structural framework which brings the events to a cohesive form and sense.

Dramatic Structure
Like the plot of a story, the plot of a play involves characters who face a problem or conflict.
Plot: Sequence of events that develop the drama Climax point of highest tension; action determines how the conflict will be resolved

Exposition characters and conflict are introduced

Resolution conflict is resolved; play ends

{ Natural Plot

{ Episodic Plot

Natural Plot is a chronological sequence of events arrangement where actions continuously take place as an end result of the previous action

Episodic Plot each episode independently comprises a setting, climax, and resolution; therefore, a full story in itself is formed.

Types of Plot

Framework of a Plot

Beginning Middle Ending

{ Beginning {
identifies information about the place, such as geographical location, social, cultural, political background or period when the event took place.

Exposition
Exposition is the point where the playwright commences his story. It reveals the identity of storys initial crisis.

{ Complications

Complications bring changes and alterations in the movement of the action which take place when discovery of novel information, unexpected alteration of plan, choosing between two courses of action or preface of new ideas are revealed.

{ Crisis

Crisis reveals the peak of anticipation in the series of incidents.

Middle is composed of a series of difficulties:

Obligatory Scene

Discovery

Obligatory Scene identifies the open collision between two opposing characters or forces.

Discovery discloses points which are previously unknown, characterized as something mysterious, strange, unfamiliar and thus revealed through objects, persons, facts, values, or selfdiscovered.

Middle is composed of a series of difficulties:

Ending is the final major component of

the story which brings the condition back to its stability. This part brings satisfaction to the audience which extends to the final curtain as peace is completely restored.

Exposition introduces the characters, setting and basic situation. Rising action presents the central conflict, complications, suspense and crisis. Climax the point of greatest tension. Falling action subsiding intensity. Denouement the resolution which ties up loose ends and concludes the action.

Elements of Plot

Scenery? The scenery is theatrical equipment such as curtains, backdrops, and platforms to communicate the environment. An example might be trees to show a forest environment.

Technical Elements

The stages set might be

realistic and detailed abstract or minimal

A set can be changed from scene to scene sometimes with machinery and sometimes with just a change in lighting.

The Stage

Scene Design

A subdivision of an act in a play. Each scene usually takes place in a specific setting and time.

Function of the Scene Design

The scene design allows the author of the play to create a sense of Setting.

Props?

Props are any article other than costumes or scenery used as part of a dramatic production. An example might be a table on the stage.

Technical Elements

Sound and Music? Sound is the effect an audience hears during a show, like the sound of rain. And music well, you know what music is!

Technical Elements

Technical Elements

Make-up? Make-up is the use of costumes, wigs and body paint to transform an actor into a character.

Plays are meant to be performed. A play comes to life in each unique performance.
Stage Directions Playwright describes setting and actions Interpretation Actors, directors, and designers interpret these directions creatively

Performance Audience experiences the story through the actors speech and actions

Performance of a Play

considered as the unifying element that defines the dramatized idea of the play.

It is the over-all sense or implication of the action. It defines the problem, emphasizes the ethical judgment and suggest attitude or course of action that eliminates the crisis is an acceptable way.

Style refers to the mode of expression or presentation of the play which points out the playwrights position or viewpoint in life.

{ Realism

{ Non-realism

Realism is an accurate detailed, and life-like description in a play where things are presented as real as can be set in actual life, with dialogues sounding like day-today conversation.

Non-realism is method of presentation identified as something stylized or theatricalized whereby artist uses his feral imagination in projecting his ideas.

Major Dramatic Attitude

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.

Effects of Realism
Realism requires a shift away from painted backdrops and scenery. The result is the box set which utilizes three, more or less, solid walls. The fourth wall remains open to the audience. Sets are decorated with real furniture. New methods make changing scenery faster.

GENRES OF DRAMA

Tragedy is a type of drama that shows the downfall and destruction of a noble or outstanding person, traditionally one who possesses a character weakness called a tragic flaw. The tragic hero, through choice or circumstance, is caught up in a sequence of events that inevitably results in disaster.

{ TRAGEDY

Overpowering individual

Usually named in the plays title

Judged by moral standards Isolated Lofty and noble Has a tragic flaw

Characteristics of the Tragic Hero

Comedy is a type of drama intended to interest and amuse the audience rather than make them deeply concerned about events that happen. The characters overcome some difficulties, but they always overcome their ill fortune and find happiness in the end.

{ COMEDY

The conflict in comedies is usually romantic.

Someone wants to marry but faces an obstacleopposing parents or rival suitors. Complications can involve misunderstandings, mistaken identities, disguises, or transformation. The obstacle is always overcome.

Comedy

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

Characteristics of Comedy

Tragicomedy is a play that does not adhere strictly to the structure of tragedy. This is usually serious play that also has some of the qualities of comedy. It arouses thought even with laughter.

{ TRAGICOMEDY

The tragic mask with a downturned mouth, and the comic mask with an upturned mouth hang on the wall of many stages. If there were a third mask, it would probably have an expression of bewilderment as is someone had just asked a totally unanswerable question. Mixing the genres of tragedy and comedy in a drama may give such a feeling.

TRAGICOMEDY: THE MIXED GENRE

Farce is a play that brings laughter for the sake of laughter, usually making use grossly embellished events and characters. It has very swift movements, has ridiculous situations, and does not stimulate thought.
Farce relies on exaggeration, absurdity, and slapstick

{ FARCE

Farce

A sub-genre of Comedy Aims at explosive laughter Crude means Violent, usually physical conflicts

Emphasis on plot, improbable situations, coincidence Coarse wit, practical jokes, physical action Usually escapist

Melodrama shows events that follow each other rapidly, but seems to be governed always by chance. The characters are victims in the hands of merciless fate.

MELODRAMA

Melodrama

A sub-genre of Tragedy Attempts to arouse feelings of fear and pity Uses crude means Oversimplified conflict

Emphasis on plot Good triumphs over evil Happy ending Usually escapist

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.

Important Terms

Dialogue

A conversation between characters in a literary work.

Function of Dialogue

Dialogue brings characters to life by revealing their personalities and by showing what they are thinking and feeling as they react to other characters.

Soliloquies

A long speech delivered by a character who is alone

onstage.

Function of Asides

Asides are frequently used to provide information to the audience and to reveal the private thoughts of 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.

Foil

A character who provides a strong contrast to another character.

Function of Foil Characters

A foil may emphasize another characters distinctive traits or make a character look better by comparison.

Tragedy Tragedies treat serious subjects and often focus on the tragic heros 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.

Two Basic Flavors

Dramatic Irony

Playwrights use dramatic irony when they allow the audience to know more than the characters do about a specific situation or incident.

In Shakespeares Hamlet, the audience hears the fiendish plot of Claudius and Lartes. Both are determined to see Hamlet dead. Moments later, Hamlet responds to news of the Kings great wager and his own impending duel with Lartes by saying, [] how ill alls here about my heart (V.ii. 186).

More Terms

Melodrama

This nineteenth century view of drama appeals to the emotions. Based on stock characters who are either villainous or virtuous, these sensational plays have happy endings. Like many contemporary television shows, melodramas feature static characters who deal with the world but fail to experience real growth, development, or insight.

Key Terms