oedipus the king
Drama Introduction
English 1302:Comp II
Dr. Shannon Smith
What is drama?
- Texts written to be performed, seen and heard
- A play
- A performance
- A conflict or tension
Study of Drama
- Artifical to only read a play; should be watched and seen
- Only reading a play is artificial
Devoid of sensory detail
Non-verbal communication is lost
Voice-character’s voice inflections are lost
Timing-comedy is lost due to timing
Set-the visual impact of a detailed set, props, and costumes is lost
Dramatic Plot
- Most fiction peaks slowly and resolves slowly
- Drama peaks rapidly and sharply
- Focus is on denouement/falling action and climax
Dramatic Characters
- Protagonist-main character
- Antagonist-causes conflict
- Foils-polar opposites
- We get characterization through their actions and words
- Thoughts revealed
soliloquy: character stands alone on stage and reveals his/her thoughts
Aside: character turns to audience and speaks directly to the audience; other characters on stage pretend they do not see or hear this; also called breaking the 4th wall
- Little exposition and background
- Context-audience must know the context, often provided in the playbill program handed out before a performance
Tragedy and Comedy
- Tragedy: dramatization of a serious happening
Protagonist
Tragic Flaw: characteristic that brings about the protagonist’s downfall
Cartharsis-the moment the protagonist realizes his/her tragic flaw
Goat Song-tragedy originally meant “goat song”
Festival of Dionysis-drama originated at the festival of Dionysis in ancient Greece
Represented serious religious, moral lessons
- Comedy: a revel-song of joy, triumph and renewal
Protagonist
Conflict is often romantic and satiric
Pageants-evolved from the serious tragedy. Became celebration of religion, not a lesson in religion
Greek Tragedy
- Originates from satyrs (half man half goat) singing to Dionysus at annual festival
- One satyr emerges from group and represents voice of conscience
- Ancient tragedy represented serious, moral and religious lessons
- Pageants-came later as a celebration
- Ancient Greek tragedy will evolve into pageants and then to modern drama meant only to entertain
Six Elements of Ancient Greek Drama
- Plot-the events in the play
- Character-the people in the play
- Thought-the theme of the play
- Diction-the language of the play; ancient drama written in verse
- Melody-the tone of the play
- Spectacle-a supernatural element included in the play; could be a ghost, a demon, a fairy, a god or goddess
Ancient Greek Tragedy Plot
- Peripety: reversal of fortune Scene I and II
- Anagnorisis: recognition of reversal Scene III
- Scene IV: catharsis & reversal of character’s flaws
- Exodus: exit Scene V where all is resolved
Greek Chorus
- Choragos: leader of chorus
- 15+ men speak together as unit (no women)
- Odes: Chorus’ speeches between scenes
- Strophes: Chorus moving forward
- Anti-strophes: Chorus moving backward
- Purpose of the Chorus
Summarize action
Provide background
Pass moral judgement
Ancient Greek Ampitheater
- Nearly round, seating on 2/3 sides
- No violent deeds ever seen on stage
- Actors wore masks to reflect mood
- Plain, little action and style (togas, no costumes)
- Skene-set of an ancient play; simple; no props, no objects; contained ONLY one altar and two doors
- Orchestra-stage of an ancient play
- Heart of performance found in message and lesson, not in spectacle or entertainment
The End