Objective We will be able to define elements

Objective: We will be able to define elements of a drama A drama is a story enacted by actors on a stage for a live audience.

Forms of Drama There are two main forms of classical drama: tragedy and comedy.

Forms of Drama A tragedy is a play ending in sorrow or regret. • Most classical Greek tragedies deal with serious, universal subjects such as right and wrong justice and injustice life and death • Tragedies pit human limitations against the larger forces of fate or destiny.

Forms of Drama A comedy also deals with human flaws, but the play ends happily. The plot usually centers on a romantic conflict. boy meets girl Modern comedies boy loses girl boy wins girl

Forms of Drama In comedy, characters’ choices lead to confusion and humor— and an expected, exaggerated outcome. In many cases, a comedy ends with a wedding. [End of Section]

Forms of Drama Quick Check MABEL CHILTERN. How horrid you have been! You have never talked to me the whole evening! LORD GORING. How could I? You went away with the child-diplomatist. MABEL CHILTERN. You might have followed us. Pursuit would have been only polite. I don't think I like you at all this evening! Does this play sound like a comedy or a tragedy? How can you tell? LORD GORING. I like you immensely. from An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde [End of Section]

Dramatic Structure Characters in Conflict Like the plot of a story, the plot of a play involves characters who face a problem or conflict. Complications tension builds Exposition protagonist and conflict are introduced Climax point of highest tension; action determines how the conflict will be resolved Resolution conflict is resolved; play ends

Dramatic Structure Sometimes the dramatist creates a foil, a character who contrasts with the protagonist. The foil exhibits characteristics and virtues that are the opposite of those of the protagonist. cowardice Tragic heroes often have foils. courage

Dramatic Structure Forms of Conflict Comedies and other types of drama often have an antagonist—a main character who opposes the protagonist. The antagonist creates problems for the protagonist in many ways.

Setting the Stage Plays are meant to be performed—to come alive onstage for an audience. Theater artists, such as • • • actors directors designers lighting technicians stage crews help make the playwright’s vision a reality.

Setting the Stage Even the most basic performance of a play involves • a stage • costumes • a set • lighting These help the actors become the characters—and help the audience connect with those characters.

Setting the Stage The stage on which actors perform can take many forms. In Shakespeare’s time, • the stage extended into the viewing area, and • the audience surrounded the stage on three sides or watched from the balconies.

Setting the Stage Today, many stages are set back and separated from the audience by a curtain. Other stages are set in the middle of the audience, “in the round. ”

Setting the Stage Scene Design Sets, lights, costumes, and props transform a bare stage into the world of the play. Often a playwright gives directions at the beginning of a play or scene, describing the set he or she envisions.

Setting the Stage Scene Design A stage’s set might be realistic and detailed abstract and minimal

Setting the Stage Scene Design Scene design includes lighting, which helps establish the mood and appearance of the set.

Setting the Stage Props (short for properties) are items that the characters carry or handle onstage. • The person in charge of props must make sure that the right props are available to the actors at the right moments.

Setting the Stage Costumes are the clothes that actors wear. • Like sets, costumes can be simple elaborate realistic stylized

Setting the Stage Quick Check [The headlights of a car suddenly illuminate CHARLEY against the wall. CHARLEY is leaning against the lamp post, in a very casual attitude, looking as dapper as usual. TERRY and EDIE run to him. The car drives off. ] What stage, lighting, and props do you imagine when you read this setting? From On the Waterfront: The Final Shooting Script by Budd Schulberg. Copyright © 1980 by Budd Schulberg. Reproduced by permission of Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency on behalf of Budd Schulberg. [End of Section]

Dramatic Elements Actors rely on a variety of theatrical techniques to convey ideas and emotions to the audience. Stage Directions Playwrights often include detailed notes—or stage directions—describing how actors should move and speak their lines. [Wyona is sitting on the couch. She sees Paul and jumps to her feet. ] Wyona. [Angrily. ] What do you want?

Dramatic Elements Quick Check LIZA. No: I dont want no gold and no diamonds. I'm a good girl, I am. [She sits down again, with an attempt at dignity. ] What are the stage directions in this passage? HIGGINS. You shall remain so, Eliza, under the care of Mrs. Pearce. And you shall marry an officer in the Guards, with a beautiful moustache: the son of a marquis, who will disinherit him for marrying you, but will relent when he sees your beauty and goodness— from Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw [End of Section]

Words and Action: Characters Onstage The characters’ speech may take several forms. Dialogue The conversation of characters onstage is called dialogue. • Dialogue and action move the play forward. • Scripts often contain suggestions or instructions for techniques to heighten the emotion and tension in dialogue.

Words and Action: Characters Onstage Monologues and Soliloquies A monologue is a speech delivered by one character to another character onstage. A soliloquy is spoken by a character alone onstage to himself or herself or directly to the audience. Soliloquies • often express a character’s deepest feelings • may signal a change in the character’s thinking

Words and Action: Characters Onstage Asides Sometimes a character comments directly on the action in a play. These comments, called asides, are spoken to the audience or to one other character. Other characters do not hear the comments.

Words and Action: Characters Onstage Quick Check LIZA. No: I dont want no gold and no diamonds. I'm a good girl, I am. [She sits down again, with an attempt at dignity. ] What does the characters’ dialogue tell you about them? HIGGINS. You shall remain so, Eliza, under the care of Mrs. Pearce. And you shall marry an officer in the Guards, with a beautiful moustache: the son of a marquis, who will disinherit him for marrying you, but will relent when he sees your beauty and goodness— from Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw [End of Section]

Analyze Drama Your Turn Analyze Drama 1. Name at least two differences between comedy and tragedy. 2. What is the difference between a monologue and a soliloquy? 3. What is the purpose of an aside? [End of Section]

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