OPEN YOUR NOTEBOOK TO A
FRESH PAGE, AND THEN COPY
THE LEQ FROM THE BOARD.
THEN, LOOK UP THE WORD
TRAGEDY AND ADD IT TO YOUR
PAPER.
AG E N DA 1 / 1 4 / 1 6
1 4 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 6
ELEMENTS OF
DRAMA
L E Q : W H AT A R E
THE ELEMENTS OF
DRAMA AND HOW
DOES IT DIFFER
FROM FICTION?
DRAMA: A PLAY FOR THEATER, RADIO,
OR TELEVISION
• The thing about drama is that it is not meant to be read.
• It is meant to be acted or seen!
• The words on the page are blueprints…the actors and
directors bring those words to life!!
DRAMA
Differs from fiction in the details:
Playwright (Author) – responsible for the text of the play
Acts and scenes (Chapters) – the breakdowns of parts of the
play.
Acts: Deal with the movement of the plot
Scenes: Change location or subject matter within the
same part of the plot.
Set (Setting) – backdrop of play; physical structure on stage
Props – moveable components on stage; located within/on the
set
TYPES OF DRAMA
• Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories:
–Comedies: deal with a series of interesting errors
from a major character; usually ends in a wedding
–Tragedies: deal with the flaw of a major character;
usually ends in death
–Histories: an account of an actual person/event in
history with artistic license
LET’S FOCUS ON TRAGEDY…
• A tragedy is a play that follows the death or
downfall of a tragic hero due to a tragic flaw.
–Downfall: Losing all possessions, titles, and reputation
–Death: …duh.
CHARACTERISTICS OF TRAGIC HERO
• Main Character: Action of Story revolves around this character; most
important in peer circle; EVERYONE knows of this character
• High Social Class: character must have a lot to lose (money, fame, power)
• Upstanding Citizen: Positive reputation
• Must be brought low/experience a “Fall from Grace” –
– Character makes a decision/does something
– Public opinion of this character changes
• Fall caused by Tragic Flaw: Action or personality trait that is deadly
– Mistaken action
– Defect in Character
• Flaw/Fall leads to death or downfall: actions directly cause this
TRAGIC FLAW
• Mistaken Action: One time mistake that has dire
consequences
• Defect in Character: a repeated issue that the character has
that has negative consequences THIS time.
• (Fake)Example: I speed to work every morning. I always make
it on time. This morning I was speeding to work and got a
ticket, found out my license was expired, and now have a
court date.
Which type of tragic flaw does this example
represent?
WITH YOUR CP…
• Look through the characteristics of a tragic
hero.
• Can you think of a celebrity that seems to fit
that description?
• Discuss and write down how the celebrity you
chose is a tragic character.
ASSIGNMENT
• With your collaborative partner, two additional
(three total) celebrities who you believe could
qualify as tragic characters.
• Fill out their qualifying reasons in DETAIL!
• Tomorrow, you’ll create a Tabloid style PowerPoint
on your three choices.