The Structure of Drama

1. The Structure of Drama Elements of Play Analysis

2. Elements of Plot • Exposition: important background information on characters, setting (time and place), and the situation in which the characters find themselves • Mood and Atmosphere are established during the exposition • Moodbrought out by opening characters, their attitudes toward each other, and their manner of speaking and moving • Atmospherecreated by staging and lighting • Consider what has happened to these people just before the play begins

3. Elements of Plot • Inciting Incident: this is the first important event to take place; introduces the main conflict • Rising Action: series of events that following the inciting incident, complicating the plot and the conflict • Each situation adds to the level of interest and suspense • Climax: the highest point of interest; the most crucial event of the play • Determines what the outcome of the conflict will be • Falling Action: series of events that immediately follow the climax • Denoument/Resolution: the final outcome of the play

4. Characters in a Play • Protagonist • Antagonist • Secondary characters—supporting cast • Minor characters—very small, walk on roles

5. Theme • Refers to the universal message regarding humanity that the author tries to bring out in the play • Determining Theme • First, figure out the main subject of the play • Ex: Romeo and Juliet—blood feud between two families • Then try to explain in one sentence what the author wants the audience to think about the subject by the end of the show • Participating in a blood feud never ends well and can result in the loss of your most precious and vulnerable family members. • Once you’ve determined the theme, find two or three quotations from the play that support your opinion • Ex: “See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, that Heaven finds means to kill your joys with love” (V.iii)

6. Varieties of Drama • Drama: serious subject matter dealt with in a serious way • Tragedy: a play in which the protagonist fails to achieve desired goals or is overcome by opposing forces • Usually ends in the protagonist’s death • Through sacrifice and suffering can humans achieve nobility • Characteristics of Tragedy • Main character must suffer • Inevitability—the protagonist cannot avoid fate • Pathos: the power to arouse feelings of pity and compassion in an audience • Tragic hero

7. Varieties in Drama • Comedy • Light topics, written with clever dialogue, peopled with amusing characters involved in funny situations. Generally have happily-ever-after endings • Types of Comedies • Farce: comedy that aims at entertaining by means of unlikely situations, exaggerated characters, and slapstick elements • Slapstick? • Pie in the face, ears pulled—think Three Stooges • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yJBhzMWJCc • Romantic Comedy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzO-sv0mtZ4 • Lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on idea that true love can overcome any obstacle • Social Comedy: the problem play—fix the wrongs of society through humor • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pAII6UO810 • Comedy of Manners: built on the use of clever language and wit

8. Theatrical Styles • Style refers to the way a play is written, acted, and produced • Classicism: based on Greek and Roman Theatre; unique feature=Chorus • Fantasy: deals with unreal characters in dreams and scenes imaginary in time and space; characters might have supernatural powers, be gods or witches, etc. • Romanticism: life is shown as people dream it should be • Realism: depict life as it actually is • Symbolism: drama that emphasizes theme and ideas through props or characters • Allegory: play teaches a moral concept through characters who represent abstract qualities, such as Truth, Justice, Love, etc.

9. Activity • With a partner, choose a film you have both seen, then analyze • Inciting Incident—what is the main conflict of the story and what event starts it? • Rising Action—what three events happen to contribute to the conflict • Turning Point—Is there a decision made by a main character that drastically changes things? • More Rising Action—two more events that are important that occur after the TP • Climax—the most intense moment of the show. • Falling Action—what happens right after the climax? • Denoument—how is the conflict resolved and how does the story end.