Drama

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DRAMA

I. WHAT IS DRAMA?
It is mainly the art of depicting or portraying potential or
imagined events and experiences. Mainly, drama is best
celebrated in theaters as scenes and situations as presented
and actors deliver lines on stage before an audience. As
one reads the story, it is necessary to imagine the scene and
the characters as they speak their lines which can help the
reader to have a view of the entire scenario and events
related to the flow of the story.
Here are some important
definitions of Drama:
❑ Drama is basically a literary form intended to
represent experiences through a theater
performance. It involves characters portrayed
and impersonated by actors. Also, the
performers imitate actions and reproduce
dialogue.
Here are some important
definitions of Drama:

❑ Drama, based on Aristotle’s Poetics, is the


“imitation of an action” This mainly points out
that drama imitates life but not one’s actual
experiences but those which are perceived to be
imagined experiences.
Here are some important
definitions of Drama:

❑ Typically, a complete story with structure and


unity can be dramatic or comical, having a
beginning, middle, and an end.
Here are some important
definitions of Drama:

❑ It is mainly an artistic depiction of how a writer


views and sees life through the use of a conflict
which is significant to make the events
interesting and the creation of characters that
take part in the actions of the story and are
motivated by their needs and objectives.
Here are some important
definitions of Drama:
❑ A work of literature which considers series of
events, developed to be acted out or performed
on stage, with lines, actions, inactions, and
silences which are all intended to be delivered
and projected by the characters to establish the
impression that the events are lifelike before a
crowd.
II. HISTORY OF DRAMA
Ancient religious ceremonies had been the viewed as the
cradle of the earliest forms of drama. In ancient Greece,
Greek drama originated from rituals to venerate Dionysus,
the god of wine and fertility. In such ceremony, dancing of
the chorus was introduced and later on, the dialogue was
added. An actor was also introduced among the singers
and dancers. Aeschylus and Sophocles added the second
and third character respectively.
II. HISTORY OF DRAMA

English drama also started from religious rites and


activities which mainly involved mystery plays taken form
the bible, miracle play about the lives of saints, morality
plays, tragedy, and dramatic history among others.
III. GENRES OF DRAMA
a. Tragedy
Mainly depicts a very serious dramatic atmosphere; the lead
character encounters misfortunes because of fate, moral
weakness, or social opposition that may lead to a disastrous or
catastrophic end involving physical or spiritual death or
breakdown.
III. GENRES OF DRAMA
b. Comedy
A literary composition intended to amuse the viewing crowd. It
mainly presents human action and behaviors lightly. The
characters encounter difficulties but later on, find happiness. The
are several types of comedy like Dark Comedy of Shakespeare
known to be in serious tone. This is classified as comedy since
the story does not end in death. Another is the High Comedy
which has an appeal to the sophisticated viewers. On the other
hand, Low Comedy has broad humor and exhibits more general
appeal.
III. GENRES OF DRAMA
b. Comedy
In addition, Comedy of Humor also ascribed to as Old Comedy
typically concerns and makes fun of individuals who view
themselves very important. The disposition of the characters are
mainly stereotypical and exaggerated. Lastly, the Comedy of
Manners or New Comedy is more realistic and mainly satirical. It is
primarily concerned with the intention to ridicule the manners and
behaviors of a higher social class.
III. GENRES OF DRAMA
c. Tragicomedy
it combines the conventions of tragic and comic elements and
despite tragic circumstances; the story still ends happily. A
serious play exhibiting some qualities of comedy. This can be a
commentary on a society’s unpleasant manners, behaviors, and
practices that lead to laughter and a happy ending, yet discomfort
is experienced in sarcasm. This may challenge the audience to
think why they need to laugh at something which is somewhat
primarily frightening.
III. GENRES OF DRAMA
d. Farce
A comic drama in form and is primarily amusing and entertaining.
Characters and sense are mainly exaggerated.

e. Melodrama
This is usually accompanied with music and with a song set a
differenct pace. It is now seen as a romantic play without serious,
comic, or tragic significance. Actions are often too violent but still
virtue dominates and succeeds.
III. GENRES OF DRAMA
f. Morality / Mystery Play
A Medieval play which is mainly allegorical, represents good and
evil forces highlights the conflicts of the human soul.

g. Miracle Plays
Usually about stories taken from the Bible or the lives of saints.
IV. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

1. Setting
It pertains to the time and place of the action. It also covers the
scenery and physical elements that transpire on stage to depict the
writer’s perspective as to stage design.
IV. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

2. Characters
They are the mainly the ones involved in the actions and
situations in a story. As the conflict develops, the characters are
revealed. Their behaviors are revealed by their words, behaviors
toward other characters, movements, gestures, and ways on how
they express their thoughts and feelings.
IV. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

3. Plot
Heavily refers to the action of drama. It also involves the
sequence of related events and scenes. The plot greatly depends
and lies on the conflict of the characters.
IV. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
4. Dialogue
The conversation and exchanges between or among characters it
helps to tell the whole story. It is also an element that helps reveal
the characters, emotions, conflicts, further actions, and themes.
Soliloquy is a speech of a character to reveal personal thoughts
aloud alone on-stage. An aside is a short speech of character which
is directly addressed to the audience not to the other characters
performing on stage since they pretend of not hearing it.
IV. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
5. Movements
it mainly involves the pacing and transition of acts.

6. Music
This serves as a background used during performances. This is
somewhat used occasionally to establish a dramatic effect. This can
be done live or provided technically.

7. Theme
This tells what the play is about or the message the play attempts to
reveal. A play may convey a number of themes.
REFERENCE

Andrew John C. Baronda, 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the
World, pp. 61-67. Pasay City: JFS Publishing Services, 2016.\

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