Unit Two: Drama

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Unit Two Drama
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Drama Terms

• Drama Literature intended for performance
  before an audience
• Comedy An amusing and entertaining drama ending
  happily presenting the lighter side of life
• Tragedy Serious and somber drama ending in
  disaster and experiencing unexpected personal
  reversals

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Drama terms (contd.)

• Plot consists of exposition, conflict, crisis,
  climax, and denouement
• Exposition Information about setting,
  characters, and situation
• Prologue Introductory statement in prose or
  verse
• Soliloquy Monologue delivered by a character
  while alone on stage

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Drama Terms (contd.)

• Conflict Opposition that gives rise to the
  dramatic action
• Protagonist Central character of a play
• Antagonist Forces or people united against the
  protagonist
• Crisis Conflict intensifying
• Climax Point of greatest tension in a drama
• Denouement - Resolution of conflict

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Drama Terms (contd.)

• Physical suggestion Allows audience to see a
  part of the characters personality and movement
• Character differentiation vocal skills that
  help to distinguish characters by age, voice
  tone, health, mood, and movement rhythms
• Stage directions basic movements and
  vocalizations outlined by the playwright

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Brief History of Drama

• Greek Period Tragic plays little or no set
  didnt linger on unimportant details

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History (contd.)

• Roman Period Comedies rapid and
  conversational witty and humorous

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History (contd.)

• Middle Ages Drama came mainly from the church
  Biblical or ethical plots

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History (contd.)

• Renaissance/Elizabethan Renewed interest in
  Greek and Roman classics. Shakespeare is the
  most famous of the Elizabethan playwrights

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History (contd.)

• Restoration Comedies written for the social
  circle of English ladies and gentlemen, the rich.

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History (contd.)

• Realism Actor does not acknowledge the
  audience. Deals with real life situations.

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History (contd.)

• Expressionism Distorts major features for
  effect. Used to express loathing for materialism
  and industrialism.

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History (contd.)

• Theater of the Absurd Emphasizes the absurdity
  of existence. Suggests that it is impossible to
  be certain about anything.

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Drama Interpretation Assignment

• Choose a 4-6 minute scene from a play involving
  no more than three characters
• You may choose one of the plays included in
  chapter 6, or choose one of your own.
• Fill out the analysis sheet for Drama
• Write an introduction and be sure to include the
  title and playwright as part of this.
• Decide on character placements to be used
• Practice, practice, practice!!!!