Chapter 6

1. Chapter 6 Varieties of Drama

2. Tragedy • The protagonist fails to achieve goals, is overcome by opposing forces, often dies • Sober, thoughtful plays that are based on profound human emotions and conflicts that do not change with time or place • Based on Aristotle’s rules (tragic flaw, unities, catharsis)

3. comedy • Protagonist “wins” • Humorous characters and situations • Happy ending • Based on “thought” • Comes from Greek word “komos” meaning “revel song”

4. Tragicomedies – plays that have qualities of both tragedy and comedy • Dramas – plays that do not fit the definition of tragedy but are serious in nature are simply called dramas.

5. 7 causes of laughter • Exaggeration • Overstatement in dialogue, action, or physical characteristics • Understatement

6. incongruity • Anything that is out of time, place, or character

7. Anticipation • Looking forward to a potential laugh • At least 3 exposures – the plant, establish, and the clinch

8. Ambiguity • Double meaning • Puns

9. Recognition • Discovering hidden or obscure meanings • “getting it”

10. Protection • Knowing that cruel, violent, grotesque and abusive actions and events are not real

11. Relief • Anything humorous used to release built up pressure (often used in tragedies)

12. Types of comedy • Low – quite physical, sometimes vulgar, and highly exaggerated • Farce – clowning, practical jokes, “slapstick,” improbable characters and situations • Burlesque – mocks a broad topic • Caricature – impersonations – often exaggerations of physical features or personality traits

13. Middle comedy – humor that appeals to the heart • Romantic comedy • Melodrama – flawless hero + evil villain

14. High comedy – very intellectual • Comedy of manners • Satire • Clever lines, word play, and allusions

15. Style theatrical conventions • Representational – “fourth wall” theater The play is performed as if the audience were watching through an imaginary fourth wall. (most common) • Presentational – acknowledges that an audience is present. Characters may even address the audience. • Avant-garde – new experimental styles of any art form

16. Styles of Drama • Classicism – based on Greek, Roman, or Shakespearean theater • Fantasy – unreal characters in imaginary time and place • Romanticism – shows life as it could be • Realism – shows life as it is • Naturalism – realism to the extreme “no holds barred”

17. Symbolism – where at least one element represent something else • Expressionism – the uselessness of human hopes in the face of the evils of the modern age – social injustice • Impressionism – shows the inner reactions of characters under great stress

18. Theater of involvement – audience participation • Theater of the absurd – deal with the “absurdity” of life

19. Special styles • Children’s theater – written, designed, and performed for children • Puppet theater – • Monodrama – “one man show”