Drama
Drama
1. Introduction:
Drama, an ancient literary genre, originated during the Greek period and was cultivated by notable authors such as Horace, Plato, Aristotle, and Sophocles, who authored renowned plays like "Oedipus the King". These individuals played a significant role in the creation of drama and the establishment of theatres for theatrical performances. However, following the Greek period, the development of drama stagnated until the Elizabethan era (16th century), which witnessed a dramatic revolution. During this time, numerous playwrights emerged, introducing fresh plays, implementing reforms, and exploring themes that diverged from those explored in the Greek period.
2. Drama Defined:
Drama is a form of written literature that is intended to be performed by actors on a stage in front of an audience. Originally, dramas were written in verse, resembling poetry, but nowadays they can also be written in prose. The term "drama" originates from Greek and signifies an act or a play. The creator of a drama is referred to as a "dramatist" or a "playwright." Within a dramatic text, dialogues between characters form the core component. According to Aristotle, drama can be defined as "man in action" or "man's action," while Marjory Bolton describes it as "drama is literature that talks and walks before our eyes." A drama encompasses all the essential elements of a story, including characters or actors, setting, actions, conflicts, themes, and the plot. The fundamental characteristic of drama lies in the enactment of the story on a stage, with dialogues being a key feature of its composition.
3. Types of Drama:
Drama encompasses various types that can be categorized based on the themes, mood, and resolution presented in the play. Some of the well-known classifications include Tragedy, Comedy, Melodrama, Farce, and Historical plays.
A. Tragedy:
Tragedy is a genre that originated in ancient Greece and is closely connected to Greek mythology, specifically the ritualistic sacrifice of a goat known as "tragos." Tragedies typically explore serious themes and emotions, culminating in sorrowful outcomes, death, or catastrophic events. These plays aim to evoke feelings of pity, fear, and catharsis in the audience. A classic example of a tragedy is Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" and "Macbeth", "Doctor Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe and "The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster.
B. Comedy:
Comedies are crafted with a lighthearted essence and are designed to evoke amusement, laughter, and a sense of happiness among the audience. They typically conclude with a cheerful resolution. An exemplary instance of this genre is Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
C. Historical plays
Historical plays are a genre of drama that draws inspiration from historical events, figures, and periods. They aim to represent and explore important moments from the past, often combining elements of fiction and factual events. William Shakespeare, known for his extensive body of work, has written several historical plays. We may cite a few: "Richard III" , "Henry IV, Part 1", "Henry V" - Continuing from "Henry IV, Part 2,".
4. Elements of Drama
Aristotle was the first to identify the key elements that are essential for creating an excellent drama. These elements, adapted from the synthesis of drama by Lethbridge and Mildorf, form the basic anatomy of a play:
Plot الحبكة : Refers to the sequence of actions that form the central storyline of the play. It encompasses the cause-and-effect relationships and the way events are interconnected. One well-known plot structure is Gustav Freytag's plot pyramid, which consists of five acts: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement.
Symbolically represented in the form of a pyramid, these elements serve as the building blocks of a narrative structure. They help to shape the progression and development of the story, providing a framework for the playwright to engage and captivate the audience (Harun et al. 2013).
Theme (hidden messages): Just as the plot conveys the events of the play, the theme represents the underlying meaning and significance of the play. It encompasses the message or lesson that the play intends to convey. While some plays have a clear and explicit theme, others may have a more subtle and implicit theme that holds profound meaning.
Characters: in a play, characters are the individuals (sometimes animals, Mythical creatures) portrayed and brought to life by the actors. They are the driving force behind the actions and progression of the plot. Lethbridge and Mildorf emphasize that:
The characters in plays can generally be divided into major characters and minor characters, depending on how important they are for the plot. A good indicator as to whether a character is major or minor is the amount of time and speech as well as his/her presence on stage he or she is allocated. (p. 113)
Characters can generally be categorized as major or minor, depending on their importance to the overall plot. One way to determine their significance is by assessing the amount of stage time, lines, and presence they are allocated.
Dialogue: dialogue in a play encompasses the spoken words written by the playwright and expressed by the characters. It serves to advance the plot and actions of the play. Dialogue involves the interaction between multiple characters, while monologue refers to a character speaking alone. In addition, soliloquy involves a character speaking their thoughts aloud, above a whisper, for the benefit of the audience.
Music and rhythm: They are significant elements in drama, as they often accompany theatrical performances. Aristotle referred to the tempo and rhythm of the actors' voices as they speak or sing, highlighting the importance of musical aspects in enhancing the dramatic experience.
The audience: It refers to the group of people who attend a play to watch it. Many playwrights and performers consider the audience to be a crucial element of drama, as the entire process of writing, creating, and performing a play is aimed at satisfying and eliciting feedback from the audience.
Spectacle: It pertains to the visual aspects of a play, including sets, costumes, special effects, and other visual elements. It encompasses everything that the audience can see while watching the play, contributing to the overall theatrical
