Introduction to Drama
What is Drama?

Drama is a type of literature that is
primarily written to be performed for an
audience. When reading a play, it is
important to keep certain features of
drama in mind. Some of these features
relate to drama as literature; others reflect
its character as a performance.
History…
Greek Drama 500-400 B.C.
 Medieval: The Middle Ages 1200-1500 AD
 Elizabethan & Jacobean 1500-1642
 Restoration & 18th Cent. Drama 1660-1800
 Romantic Era 1800-1880
 Modern Era 1850-Present

Types of Drama- Tragedy
Tragedy: A play in which the
main character experiences
disaster, but faces this downfall
in such a way as to attain
heroic stature.*
 Even though Tragedies are
“gloomy” they are triumphant,
because they inspire exaltation
at the greatness human beings
can attain even in defeat.

Comedy

Comedy closes with a
peaceful resolution of the
main conflict.*
 High
Comedy: The humor
arises from subtle
characterization, social
satire, and sophisticated wit.
 Low Comedy: Emphasizes
absurd dialogue, bawdy
jokes, visual gags, and
physical humor.*
Types of Comedy
Romantic Comedy: The main characters
are lovers, and the plot tends to follow the
pattern of “boy gets girl, boy loses girl,
boy gets girl again.”
 Satiric Comedy: Uses humor to ridicule
foolish ideas or customs with the purpose
of improving society.

 Comedy
of Manners: Satirizes the vices and
follies of the upper class.*
Additional Forms of Drama
Farce: Relies on exaggeration, absurdity,
and slapstick
 Straight Drama or Drama: Deal with
serious subjects, but do not always end in
disaster.

Elements of Drama
External Conflict: Pits a character against nature
or fate, society, or another character
 Internal conflict: Between opposing forces
within a character.
 Protagonist: The central character of the play
and often undergoes radical changes as the
action progresses.*
 Antagonist: The character who opposes the
main character*

Foil: A minor character whose traits
contrast sharply with those of the
protagonist
 Dialogue: Conversations between
characters
 Monologue: A long speech spoken by a
single character to himself or herself, or to
the audience
 Soliloquy: A monologue in which a
character speaks his or her private
thoughts aloud and appears to be
unaware of the audience.


Aside: a short speech or comment
delivered by a character to the audience,
but unheard by the other characters who
are present.
Conventions of Drama
Cast of Characters: listed in the beginning
of the play, before the action starts.
 Act: a major division of a play
 Scenes: Major division of an act
 Stage Directions: a dramatist’s
instructions for performing a play.

Protagonist
Antagonist