Introduction to Drama

The Writing and Reading ProgramAt Western New England College

Definition

Unlike short stories or novels, plays are written for the express purpose of performance.

Definition

Actors play roles and present the storyline through dialogue, action, and gestures.

Definitions

For the most part, plays have no narrators. (There are a few notable exceptions to this rule.)

The audience must glean critical information from the action on stage.

Dealing with Details

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.

Important Terms

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.

Aside – a character’s direct address to the audience, which is not heard by the other 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.

Two Basic “Flavors”

Tragedy Tragedies treat serious subjects and often focus on the tragic hero’s character. Tragedies usually end with death.

ComedyComedies are dramatic works which use humor to explore various themes and characters. Comedies usually end on a happy note.

More Terms

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 Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the audience hears the fiendish plot of Claudius and Laërtes. Both are determined to see Hamlet dead. Moments later, Hamlet responds to news of the King’s great wager and his own impending duel with Laërtes by saying, “[…] how ill all’s here about my heart” (V.ii. 186).

Key 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

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.

Key Terms

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.

Key Terms

Naturalism– Like realism, naturalism developed in

response to the sentimental and sensational melodramas that were popular in the nineteenth century.

– Using realistic plots, naturalism explores the forces that influence the human condition.

Key Terms

Satire– The term satire refers to social criticism that is

cloaked in comedy and used to ridicule social institutions and figureheads.

Farce– The term farce refers to comedy that lapses

into ludicrous, improbable plots, mockery, and even slapstick.

Plot

The overall storyline and sequence of events is known as the plot.

Elements of Plot

Exposition – introduces the characters, setting and basic situation.

Rising action – presents the central conflict, complications, suspense and crisis.

Climax – the point of greatest tension.

Elements of Plot

Falling action – subsiding intensity.

Denouement – the resolution which ties up loose ends and concludes the action.

Reading Drama

Pay particular attention to the overall plot.– What are the major conflicts or issues?– When does the climax occur?– What force or forces seem to be at work in the

play, moving the action along?

Pay close attention to characters.– Who are the central

characters?– What do you know

about their personalities? How do you know this information?

– What are the characters’ strengths and weaknesses?

Photo credit: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams. Cornell Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts.

Recognizing the Theme

Most written works have a central theme and several additional themes.

–Try to identify the central theme.–Back up your interpretation with examples from the text.

If possible, watch a production of the play you’ve been reading.

How does the production correspond to your reading? How does it differ?

The Theater, Enjoy!

From The Shakespeare Review

An English Music Hall look at Shakespeare