UGRC 160-Introduction to Literature

SESSION 10
 DRAMA

An Introduction
 Session Objectives
At the end of the session the student will,
• Understand what the drama genre is and how
it functions
• Understand the uniqueness or peculiarity of
the genre in terms of plot, character, action
and conflict.
• Understand how important dialogue is to the
development of plot, character and conflict in
drama
 Elements of Drama

• Plot
• Character
• Action
• Conflict
 What is Drama?

• You've heard the word. In fact, you've probably used

the word yourself. Maybe you've said, 'Oh, she's just
a drama queen,' or, 'I'm sick of all this drama.' In
these situations, the word 'drama' is more of a
colloquial, popular usage with a tinge of hyperbole
or exaggeration.
 So what is Drama?
• In literature, the word drama refers to a genre
or a form that is unique because it is different
from poetry or prose fiction/narrative. In its
purest form, drama is supposed to be
performed whether this happens on a visible
physical stage, or through media such as radio
or television. Drama may be written out as a
script, but as William Shakespeare once put it,
the physical enactment of the play is the thing
that matters.
 What is Drama?, cont’d.

A drama is a piece of writing that is presented mostly

through dialogue. Like a short story or novel, it has a
setting, characters, plot and even symbolism. However,
the way in which they are presented to the audience is
different. Unlike a short story or novel, the play is
primarily meant to be performed in front of an
audience, and dialogue between characters is very
important.
 PLOT
Remember our discussion on plot in Session 2? Plot
refers to the sequence of events and happenings
that make up a story. It is not only about the
sequence, but more importantly, about how the
various events are connected in a cause-effect
relationship.
Whether a plot is linear or non-linear, there is
usually a deep structure that links various parts of
the plot together.
CHARACTER
Character can be defined as any person, animal, thing
or figure represented in a literary work. If a literary
work were to be imagined as a universe, a world or a
nation, etc., characters would be those who populate
it.
 Character, cont’d.
Remember characters can be round or flat
depending on how dynamic or static they are.
Also remember that we can talk of major or
minor characters depending on what roles these
characters play in a work of literature.
Could you give examples of some characters
from the works you have read in this course.
 ACTION
Imagine having a group of people or characters
in a play who do nothing but look at one
another. The essence of drama or any serious
work of literature is action.
ACTION, cont’d.
It is through action that we get to understand
the motivations and desires of characters. It is
through action that plot development takes
place.

Action is not only a reference to the motivations

and desires of characters, but also how these
motivations and desires look like when acted
upon.
 CONFLICT
As is the case on other genres of literature,
conflict in drama refers to a struggle between
opposing forces.
 CONFLICT, cont’d.
• The opposing forces that struggle for
supremacy in a conflict situation are usually of
two major kinds; the forces of good, and the
forces of evil. The forces of good are usually
led by the protagonist, and the forces of evil
are usually led by the antagonist. Their
struggle ultimately leads to the climactic
moment.
CONFLICT, cont’d.
 Questions on Romeo and Juliet
• Name three major characters in Romeo and Juliet
and explain why you think they should be
considered “major” characters.
• Who, in your opinion, are the protagonists of
Romeo and Juliet? And who are the antagonists?
• What is climax? When does this occur in Romeo
and Juliet?
• Describe four major actions in Romeo and Juliet
that you think are pivotal to the development of
the plot and explain why this is so.
Questions on Romeo and Juliet, cont’d.
• What are the major conflicts in Romeo and Juliet?
Which characters are involved in those conflicts?
• Compare and contrast the characters of Romeo
and Juliet.
• What role does Friar Laurence play in Romeo and
Juliet? Is he a major or a minor character? Justify
your answer.
• Briefly describe how dialogue and diction
contribute to, or hinder our ability to understand
the central themes of Romeo and Juliet.