The Elements and the Origin of

Drama
Prepared by
Sarah Abdulrahman

Contents
Aims
Introduction
What is meant by drama?
The origin of drama
Medieval drama in English literature
Types of drama
Conclusion

At the end of the lecture students

:will be able to
Define drama
Show the origin of drama
Explain how drama started in English

literature
Identify miracle and morality plays
Discuss the types of drama

:Introduction
At the beginning of studying any literary

type, we should know its definition,

origin, development and its types. So
that in this lecture we are going to
explain the definition of drama, its
origin, development and types.

What is meant by drama?

Drama: it is a specific mode of narrative,

typically fictional, presented by characters on a

stage.
A traditional play is divided into acts and

scenes.

Characters: people acting in a play are referred to as

characters. They are fictional devices.

Hero (protagonist): the hero is the central character in

the play. The term hero does not mean a noble or brave.
A hero may be good or evil, low or high born.

Anti-hero (antagonist): he is a villain opposing the hero.

The Origin of Drama

The origin of drama is the Greek

drama which belongs to six hundred

years BC.

It

mainly

dealt

with

peoples

relationships with the Greek gods such

as Zeus, Apollo and Aphrodite.

The most famous playwright in Greek

drama is Sophocles. His play Oedipus Rex

is one of the most important sources for
dramatist in the world.

In English literature, the origin of drama is

religion. Drama is said to be born in the

cradle of the church.

Medieval Drama in English

Literature
Medieval drama: there are two kinds of

medieval drama:
Medieval Drama

miracles

moraliti
es

Miracle plays(14th C.): they are acted by

priests on a stage inside the church and

their stories are taken from The Bible.

They focus on the Christian history such

as the story of the fall of Adam and Eve

or the birth of Christ and they form a
part of a series of plays named after the
town they were performed: York,
Chester .

They show the gap between gods divine

order and the violent and wrong actions of

the characters for example, in The
Crucifixion we see the contrast between
Christ's silent suffering and obedience to
God and the noisy actions of soldiers who
are trying to nail him.

Morality plays (15th C.): they are acted

by
.

common

people

on

wagon

outside the church in the street.

They focus on the moral dilemmas

that confront mankind. The centre of

morality plays is always a male as he
journeys

from

birth

to

death

illustrating an abstract moral lesson.

Everyman is the most famous morality

play.
God instructs Death to tell the hero he

must die. Everyman looks for someone to

accompany him but only Good Deeds will
do so.
The moral lesson of the play is that every

one should be prepared for death and look

to his good deeds but what strikes us most
is the confusion and panic of Everyman.

Types of Drama
Types of Drama

Tragedy
Comedy

Tragedy: it is a kind of drama that

presents a series subject matter

about

human

suffering

and

corresponding terrible events in a

dignified manner. It often ends
with death.

At the beginning of a tragic play an

action takes place that destroys the

social concord and causes more violent
elements.
There is an alternation in the existing

social order which leads to the

destruction of human life.
It asks about the nature of existence if

the social bonds are broken.

The most violent and vicious self

interest becomes dominant.

The worst face of human beings is

exposed.

Our

human

capacity

for

destruction is allowed full reign.

It provokes pity at the plight of human

beings.

Comedy: it is a kind of drama that is

light and often humorous or satirical

in tone and that usually contains a
happy resolution of the thematic
conflict.

In comedy the disorder that threatens

characters lives and social concord is

overcome and it ends with marriage or
dance which are the traditional signs of
harmony and order in the society.
Comedy laughs at the folly of people in the

society.

:Conclusion
Drama is a type of narrative represented

by characters on a stage.
It started in Greek literature six hundred

years BC.
In English literature, it was born in the

cradle of the church.

Miracle plays are plays represented by

the church. Their themes are taken from

The Bible.
Morality plays are plays represented by

actors on a wagon in the street. Their

themes are taken from everyday life.
Drama is divided into two kinds. These are

comedy and tragedy.