Drama
Matthew Boltz
Drama
A drama is a story enacted onstage for a live audience.
The word drama comes from the Greek verb dran, which means “to do.”
The earliest known plays . . .
were written around the fifth century B.C.
produced for festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility.
Like the plot of a story, the plot of a play involves characters who face a problem or conflict. Complications
tension builds characters and conflict are introduced.
Climax
point of highest tension;
action determines how the conflict will be resolved
Resolution
conflict is resolved;
play ends
Conflict is a struggle or clash between opposing characters or forces. A conflict may develop . . .
between characters who want different things or the same thing
between a character and his or her circumstances
within a character who is torn by competing desires
The protagonist of most classical tragedies is a tragic hero. This hero
•is noble and in many ways admirable
•has a tragic flaw, a personal failing that leads to a tragic end
Comedy
A comedy is a play that ends happily. The plot usually centers on a romantic conflict.
boy meets girl
boy loses girl
boy wins girl