Oh, the Drama!
Elements of Drama
Characters
• Major/Minor
• Protagonist/Antagonist
• Hero/Antihero
• protagonist/foil
• stock characters
(stereotypes)
Plot
• Freytag's Pyramid
Setting
• Physical
• Temporal
Theme(s)
Wrong Foil
Characters
Foil—
• provides a sharp contrast to another
character.
• Heightens the characteristics of both.
Stereotypes
• the landlord, the martyr, the nurse. . .
Foil
Housewife
Stereotype
Freytag's Pyramid
Freytag's Pyramid (1863)
Exposition:
sets the scene.
introduces the characters and setting
provides description and background.
Inciting Incident (the first point): [complication]
something happens to begin the action.
Rising Action: the story builds and gets more exciting.
Freytag's Pyramid
Climax (the second point):
greatest tension/the most exciting event. in the
middle--the rising action builds to it and the
falling action deals with the aftermath.
Falling Action: events happen as a result of the
climax
Freytag's Pyramid
Dénouement and Resolution (the third point):
the ending.
The problem is solved and all questions are
explained.
Hoorah!
Basic Plots
There will be a conflict between
1. characters who want different things or
the same thing
2. between a character and his or her
circumstances
3. within a character who is torn by
competing desires
Setting
• Physical
• Temporal
How do plays show how these change?
Theme(s)
overarching meaning or
message
Performance Based
Language
• Slang/ Accents
Theatrics
Style of costuming
Staging
Scenery
Set
Props
Also
• colours
• Arrangement of
characters and props
Costumes
Staging
Technical Elements
We don't have to worry about these
•
•
•
•
lighting
sound/music
type of theater
acoustics
Other Aspects of Drama
Dialogues: actors are talking to each other
Soliloquy: a speech by a single actor who is solo on stage
Monologue: a long speech made by one actor; a
monologue may be delivered alone or in the presence
of others. (one speaker, one voice—monopoly)
Aside: Character addresses the audience, provides info
and lets the audience know what the character is
thinking
Types
Tragedy
Some flaw/event has made it
impossible for life to
continue as the characters
had known it.
Humanity vs a higher power
Not too cheery
Comedy
• Usually has a romantic plot
• there are complications
• those are resolved
• they like happily ever
after/get married/ ride off
in the sunset
• Funny
TRIFLES
tragedy or comedy?
Characters
• Major/Minor ?
• Protagonist/Antagonist?
• Hero/Antihero?
• protagonist/foil?
• stock characters (stereotypes)?
Setting
Plot
Themes
• Setting: Farmhouse
• Plot: The wives are fussing around the kitchen
while the men are looking for clues for a
murder.
Themes
•
•
•
•
•
•
death
loneliness
masculinity/femininity
how men treat women?
paying attention to the details
who is the authority?
Symbols (clues)
•
•
•
•
•
•
birds
singing
jam jars
quilt
sewing
dishes
Where are all of the stages?
Exposition: tromping in with the snow; men talking
Inciting Incident: [complication] frozen fruit
Rising Action: other weirdness, cage
Climax (the second point): DEAD BIRD EEEEWWW!
Falling Action: dead kitty, no kids discussion
Dénouement: more discussion between the
women, singing
Resolution: the fruit is okay;
bird in the pocket; married to the law
• What happened?
• Who was the murderer?
• Was there another death?