This document provides information about melodramas, including their definition, origins, stereotypes, and storylines. Melodramas are dramatic works that appeal strongly to emotions through exaggerated characters and exciting plots. They originated in 19th century France as a combination of spoken drama and music. Common stereotypes in melodramas include the loveable rogue and damsel in distress. Storylines aim to elicit catharsis by mirroring characters' emotions, provide escapism from reality through unlikely events, or use realism to inspire viewers' aspirations.

1. Research Task:
MELODRAMAS
Kate Wigley

2. Definition:
● A melodrama is a dramatic piece with exaggerated characters
and exciting events.
● It is intended to appeal to the emotions of the audience.
● A drama, such as a play, film, or television programme,
characterized by exaggerated emotions, stereotypical
characters, and interpersonal conflicts.

3. Examples include:
HOLLYOAKS
DOWNTON ABBEY
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
HOME AND AWAY
NEIGHBOURS

4. Origins:
● The term originated from the 19th century from the French
word - Melodrame
● The word ‘Melo’ means music in Greek
● The word ‘Drame’ is French for drama
● Melodrama is a combination of spoken pieces and short
pieces of music
● In ancient Greece, they used to mime

5. THE LOVEABLE ROGUE VILLAGE BULLY
THE ‘HUNK’
STEREOTYPES
DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
THE GOSSIP
‘TART’ WITH A
THE GANGSTER HEART

6. Storylines:
● CATHARSIS storylines are when the viewer goes through the
same emotions as the storyline
In this scene of ‘Days of our Lives’ (Watch from 6:00) the high pitched
dissonance allows the viewer to be shocked and feel the same
emotions which the characters do.

7. Storylines:
● CATHARSIS storylines are when the viewer goes through the
same emotions as the storyline
In this scene of ‘Hollyoaks’ the director wants the viewer to react in
the same way that the characters do. For example: when Riley gets
shot and Mitzeee starts to cry, the viewers may also cry.

8. Storylines:
● ESCAPISM storylines are when the viewer needs to escape from daily
woes to something that wouldn’t usually happen in real life
In this trailer from ‘Hollyoaks’ the expensive location and costumes
draw the reader in to wonder what is happening. This entices them to
watch it throughout the week.

9. Storylines:
● REALISM storylines are when the characters are dressed in
expensive clothes so that the viewer aspires to be like them
Mitzeee Mercedes Dodger