UNDERSTANDING DRAMA

21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

Important definitions of drama:

 Drama is basically a literary form intended to represent

experiences through a theater performance. It involves
characters portrayed and impersonated by actors.
 A work of literature which considers series of events
developed to be acted out or performed on stage, with lines,
actions, inactions, and silences which are all intended to be
delivered and projected by the characters to establish the
impression that the events are lifelike before a crowd.
 Typically, a complete story with structure and unity can be
dramatic or comical having a beginning, middle, and an
end.
History of Drama

 Ancient religious ceremonies had been the viewed as the

cradle of the earliest forms of drama. In ancient Greece,
Greek drama originated from rituals to venerate Dionysus, the
god of wine and fertility. In such ceremony, dancing of the
chorus was introduced and later on, the dialogue was
added. An actor was also introduced among the singers and
the dancers. Aeschylus and Sophocles added the second
and third character respectively.
 English drama also started from religious rites and activities
which mainly involved mystery plays taken from the bible,
miracle plays about the lives of saints, morality plays, tragedy,
and dramatic history among others.
Genres of Drama

 TRAGEDY
 Mainly depicts a very serious dramatic atmosphere; the lead
character encounters misfortunes because of fate, moral
weakness, or social opposition that may lead to a disastrous
or catastrophic end involving physical or spiritual death or
breakdown.
 Ex. Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth (Shakespeare)
Tragedy movies:
Tragedy movies
Genres of Drama

 COMEDY
 A literary composition intended to amuse the viewing crowd.
It mainly presents human actions and behaviors lightly. The
characters find difficulties but later on, find happiness.
Comedy movies
 Types of Comedy
 Dark Comedy (Shakespeare)- known to be serious in
tone and classified as comedy since the story does not
end in death.
 High Comedy- has an appeal to the sophisticated
viewers. Today, high comedy can be seen among
sitcoms and talk shows targeted at cultured and
articulate audiences.
 Low Comedy- has broad humor and exhibits more
general appeal. A literary form of entertainment with
no primary purpose but to create laughter by boasting,
boisterous jokes, drunkenness, scolding, fighting,
buffoonery and other riotous activity.
Types of Comedy

 Comedy of Humors or Old Comedy- typically concerns

and makes fun of individuals who view themselves very
important. The disposition of the characters are mainly
stereotypical and exaggerated.
 Comedy of Manners or New Comedy- more realistic
and mainly satirical. It is primarily concerned with the
intention to ridicule the manners and behaviors of a
higher social class.
Sitcoms samples:
Sitcoms sample:
Comedy of Manners Samples:
Genres of Drama

 TRAGICOMEDY
 It combines the conventions of tragic and comic elements and
despite tragic circumstances; the story still end happily.
 Serious play exhibiting some qualities of comedy.
 This can be a commentary on a society’s unpleasant manners,
behaviors, and practices that lead to laughter and a happy
ending.
 This may challenge the audience to think why they need to laugh at
something which is somewhat really frightening.
Samples:
Genres of Drama

 Closet Drama
 A written work or a play which is intended to be read, not
performed on stage. It is sometimes refer to works which are
unsuccessful in theater and are perceived to be more
enjoyable to read.

 Ex. Robert Browning's Pippa Passes and My Last Duchess, and

Shelley's Prometheus Unbound.
Genres of Drama

 MELODRAMA
 This is usually accompanied with music and with a song set at
a different pace. It is now seen as a romantic play without
serious, comic, or tragic significance.
 Exaggerated form of drama.
 Originally, it made use of melody and music.
Melodrama movies
Genres of Drama

 FARCE
 A comic drama in form and is primarily amusing and
entertaining. Characters and scenes are mainly exaggerated.

 Ex. on Films: It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Home Alone,
The Three Stooges, Wet Hot American Summer
Farce movies
ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

1. SETTING
Just like in fiction, it pertains to the time and place of the action.
It also covers the scenery and physical elements that transpire
on stage to depict the writer’s perspective as to stage design.
2. CHARACTERS
They are mainly the ones involved in the actions and situations
in a story. As the conflict develops, the characters are revealed.
Their behaviors are revealed by their words, behaviors toward
other characters, movements, gestures, and ways on how they
express their thoughts and feelings.
ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

3. PLOT
Heavily refers to the action of a drama. It also involves the
sequence or related events and scenes. The plot greatly
depends and lies on the conflict of characters.
4. Dialogue
The conversation and exchange between or among characters
it helps to tell the whole story. It is also an element that helps
reveal the characters, emotions, conflicts, further actions, and
themes.
ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

5. MOVEMENTS
It mainly involves the pacing and transition of acts.
6. MUSIC
This serve as a background used during performances. This is
somewhat used occasionally to establish dramatic effect. This
can de done live or provided technically.
7. THEME
This tells what the play is about or the message the play attempts
to reveal. A play may convey a number of themes.
EXERCISE!

1. It involves the sequence or related events and scenes. PLOT

2. This is somewhat used occasionally to establish dramatic effect. MUSIC
3. They are revealed as the concepts develops. CHARACTERS
4. The conversation and exchange between or among characters it helps to tell
the whole story. DIALOGUE
5. Can be dramatic or comical having a beginning, middle, and an end.
6. Mainly depicts a very serious dramatic atmosphere. TRAGEDY
7. A literary composition intended to amuse the viewing crowd. It mainly presents
human actions and behaviors lightly. COMEDY
8. It combines the conventions of tragic and comic elements and despite tragic
circumstances; the story still end happily. TRAGICOMEDY
9. A written work or a play which is intended to be read, not performed on stage.
CLOSET DRAMA
10. This is usually accompanied with music and with a song set at a different pace.
MELODRAMA