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The Elements of Drama

The Crucible

by Arthur Miller

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Essential Question

  • How does drama provide the reader a different experience than prose (short stories, novels) or poetry?
  • How is drama different from television?

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Drama

  • Comes from the Greek Word, “Dran” ----- which means “To do” or “To Act”

Drama is written to be performed

for an audience.

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Drama…

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Elements of �Drama

  • Playwright-the author of a play
  • Cast of characters- list of characters in the play
  • Protagonist- central character of the play
  • Antagonist- character who opposes the main character
  • Foil- minor character whose traits contrast with the main character
  • Acts-the units of action
  • Scenes-parts of the acts

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Dramatic Speech

  • Dialogue-conversation between or among characters
  • Monologue-long speech by one single character
  • Soliloquy- monologue in which character speaks her private thoughts aloud and appears to be unaware of the audience.

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Set

  • Scenery on the stage that shows time/place
  • Must stay

true to time

period

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Stage Directions

  • Found in brackets [ ]
  • Describe scenery and how characters speak and how they feel
  • Conveys information to the cast, crew, and readers.

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Types of Drama

1. Drama- is used to describe plays that address a serious subject.

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Types of Drama Continued…..

2. Comedy is a form of drama that has a happy ending. Humor comes from the dialogue and situations.

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Types of Drama Continued

3. A tragedy is a form of drama in which events lead to the downfall of the main character, often a person of great significance, like a king or hero.

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Conflict

  • The internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests that create dramatic tension.

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Theatre

  • Where a play takes place

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Props

  • Small movable items that the actors use to make actions look realistic
  • Must stay true to time period

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Characterization

  • Is the playwright’s technique for creating believable characters.
  • Indirect
  • Direct