Drama

Drama: A Prologue in a Dozen Drama: A Prologue in a Dozen SlidesSlides

English 112—College English 112—College Composition IIComposition II

Blue Ridge Community CollegeBlue Ridge Community College

Ms. MontgomeryMs. Montgomery

‘‘Ere we start our study, the Ere we start our study, the scholars have their say . . .scholars have their say . . .

Brief DefinitionsBrief Definitions

““The form of composition designed for The form of composition designed for performance in the theater, in which performance in the theater, in which actors take the roles of the characters, actors take the roles of the characters, perform the indicated action, and utter the perform the indicated action, and utter the written dialogue” (Abrams 69). written dialogue” (Abrams 69).

““[D]rama is literature designed for [D]rama is literature designed for impersonation by people—actors—for the impersonation by people—actors—for the benefit and delight of other people—an benefit and delight of other people—an audience” (Roberts and Jacobs 845). audience” (Roberts and Jacobs 845).

Plot Structure/Freytag’s Plot Structure/Freytag’s PyramidPyramid

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax/Acme/Apex/Turning Point

Falling Action

Resolution

Denoument

Brief History of Western Drama (adapted Brief History of Western Drama (adapted from Roberts and Jacobs 856-63)from Roberts and Jacobs 856-63)

Ancient GreeceAncient Greece: origin of tragedy and : origin of tragedy and comedycomedy

Ancient RomeAncient Rome: tragedy and comedy : tragedy and comedy continue, drama of less social importance, continue, drama of less social importance, closet dramacloset drama

Fall of Rome/Dark AgesFall of Rome/Dark Ages: virtual : virtual disappearance of public theater disappearance of public theater

Medieval DramaMedieval Drama: portions of Christian : portions of Christian church services; Corpus Christi plays, church services; Corpus Christi plays, Mystery Cycles, LatinMystery Cycles, LatinEnglish; miracle English; miracle and morality plays and morality plays

Renaissance DramaRenaissance Drama: ancient and medieval : ancient and medieval forms combine as secular drama; rebirth forms combine as secular drama; rebirth of tragedy and comedyof tragedy and comedy

Since the RenaissanceSince the Renaissance: continuation and : continuation and new forms: tragicomedy, melodrama, and new forms: tragicomedy, melodrama, and social/problem dramasocial/problem drama

Strategies for Reading Drama Strategies for Reading Drama like Fictionlike Fiction

plotplot settingsetting character developmentcharacter development themetheme protagonist/antagonistprotagonist/antagonist narrative structurenarrative structure point-of-viewpoint-of-view symbolismsymbolism allegoryallegory allusionallusion ironyirony

Strategies for Reading Drama Strategies for Reading Drama like Poetrylike Poetry

rhyme/rhythm schemes (if rhyme/rhythm schemes (if applicable)applicable)

line divisionsline divisionsfigurative languagefigurative languagesound of languagesound of languagetonetonemoodmoodvoice voice

Strategies for Reading Drama as Strategies for Reading Drama as PerformancePerformance

casting considerationscasting considerationscolor schemecolor schemepropspropsvenuevenuesceneryscenery lightinglightingmusic/other sound effectsmusic/other sound effectscinematic techniquescinematic techniques

Works CitedWorks Cited

Abrams, M. H. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary A Glossary of Literary

TermsTerms. 7. 7thth ed. Fort Worth: ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Harcourt Brace, 1999.Brace, 1999.

Roberts, Edgar V. and Henry E. Jacobs. Roberts, Edgar V. and Henry E. Jacobs.

Literature: An Introduction to Literature: An Introduction to Reading Reading and Writing. and Writing. 33rdrd compact compact edition. edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006.Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006.

Further Resources (right click to Further Resources (right click to open in a new window from Bb)open in a new window from Bb)

A helpful overview from Gallaudet University: A helpful overview from Gallaudet University:

http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/literature/drama.html http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/literature/drama.html Information for both students and fans of drama, compiled Information for both students and fans of drama, compiled

by the MIT Libraries:by the MIT Libraries:

http://libraries.mit.edu/guides/subjects/literature/drama.html http://libraries.mit.edu/guides/subjects/literature/drama.html An interactive timeline with key terms and personalities An interactive timeline with key terms and personalities

from Northwest Missouri State University:from Northwest Missouri State University:

http://www.nwmissouri.edu/LIBRARY/courses/theatre/time/http://www.nwmissouri.edu/LIBRARY/courses/theatre/time/WTT.htm WTT.htm

Shakespeare’s Globe: Shakespeare’s Globe:

http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/ http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/

Local OpportunitiesLocal Opportunities

The American Shakespeare Center:The American Shakespeare Center:http://http://

www.americanshakespearecenter.com/ www.americanshakespearecenter.com/

BRCC’s Productions:BRCC’s Productions:http://www.brcc.edu/fac/ http://www.brcc.edu/fac/

Other colleges and community theatersOther colleges and community theaters

Others?Others?

Here ends our prologue, and Here ends our prologue, and begins our play . . .begins our play . . .