Drama classes part of the course Introduction to English Literature at the Islamic University of Gaza.

1. Ms. Abeer Barakat
Islamic University of Gaza
Class 1.4_1.5
18-25/02/2017

2. What is Drama?
 A story enacted on stage for a live audience.
 According to Aristotle, drama is originated from
instinct of imitation.
 Early sample of drama can be traced back to Greece,
with happy endings (Comedy), and unhappy endings
(Tragedy)
 Aristotle placed Tragedy as a form of art above comedy.
 The inner content of tragedy is its ability to purge the
emotions of pity and fear.

3. Structure of Drama
Aristotle’s 6
Elements of Drama
1. Plot
2.
Character
3. Diction
4.
Thought
5.
Spectacle
6. Song
Ps. Modern drama may differ from Aristotle’s, but the
parts defined by Aristotle should be understood.

4. Aristotle’s 6 Elements of Drama
1. Plot
• Plot lays out the series of events
that form the entirety of the play.
It serves as a structural framework
which brings the events to a
cohesive form and sense.
Def.
• In King Lear by Shakespeare, the
dramatist focused on the main
idea of the old King’s decision to
divide his kingdom among his 3
daughters.
Example

5. Aristotle’s Elements of Drama
2. Character
 In Greek drama, the term refers to those actions by
which the actors fully identify themselves and
establish their individuality.
 In Modern practice “character” refers persons who
have a part to play in the story which the dramatist is
trying to unfold.
 A good playwright would not introduce characters
who have nothing to contribute to the plot.

6. Aristotle’s Elements of Drama
• The language used in the play that must suit the
nature of the story.
• The language of characters should be different
according to their age and level of education.
3. Diction
• The faculty of saying what is possible and related
in given circumstances.
• Sentiments must be appropriate to the situation
or mood reflected in the story.
4. Thought
• Machinery employed
• Includes: way of acting, dresses, scenery,
materials on stage,
5. Spectacle
• A very significantelement of Greek drama.
• A chorus sing at beginning of the play and in
intervals.
6. Song

7. The structure (plot) of the Greek
play
 A play opened with a prologue spoken by an actor
who usually had no other role in the drama
 The prologue is followed by the Chorus to provide
what is called as Parodos : a general lyrical
commentary
 After the parodos, the play begins with a dialogue.
Each section of the dialogue is called an episode.
The play consist of several episodes separated
from each other by the songs of the Chorus.

8. The structure (plot) of the Greek
play
The chorus’ songs:
 The first song of the Chorus that follow the first
episode is called the Stasimon
 At the end of the play there is a song that is called
the Commos in which the actors participate in the
chorus.
 The last part of the play is called the Exodus

9. Division of a modern play into
scenes and acts
 Consists of 5 parts:
 1- Introduction: in which the character and story are
introduced
 2- Development or complications that marks the
progress of the play towards the climax
 3- Climax: when the hero has to make a decision or
choice that will affect his fortune
 4- Denouement: when the action moves towards the
catastrophe and the complications are resolved
 5- Catastrophe: the tragic end in which the hero
usually loses his life

11. Differences between Classical Drama and Modern
Drama
Classical Greek Drama
 Religious plays - a play was an act
of worship
 Stories are based on well- known
legends or tales.
 Open -air stage
 Curtains were NOT used
 The play is NOT divided into acts
or scenes
 The three unities rule was
followed
 Only one story
 Characters were mythological
legends ( larger than life/super
heroes/ Demi-gods)
 Fate plays an important part in
the story
 Chorus existed
Modern Drama
 the purpose of the modern plays
is to provide aesthetic
entertainment
 Invented stories by the
playwright
 Closed roof building
 Curtains were used
 The play was divided into acts
and scenes.
 The Three unities rule wasnot
followed
 May have many stories
 Characters were ordinary normal
people not royalty not demi-
gods
 Hero’s flaw plays an important
role in the story
 Chorus disappeared

12. Open Air Theater Modern closed roof theater

13. Types of Drama
Types of drama
Comedy
Pure
Tragi-
comedy
Comedy of
humor
Comedy of
Manner
Sentimental
Problem
play
Tragedy
Revenge
Decadent
Heroic
Historical

14. Types of Comedy
 The main purpose of Comedy is to either entertain the
audience or satire.
 The most famous Greek comedian was Aristophanes who
wrote satirical plays to ridicule Socrates.

15. Types of Comedy
1. Pure
Comedy
• To entertain
• Ex: A Midsummer
Night’s Dream by
Shakespeare.
• Ex: Oscar Wilde’s
plays.
2.Tragic-Comedies
• Plays with tragic elements
but end happily.
• Was developed in the
Elizabethan Age
• Ex: The Merchant of Venice
by Shakespeare.
• Much Ado About Nothing.
Is about two lovers who
were estranged from each
others because of
misunderstand1ings but
finally they reconcile
3. Comedy of Humours
• Satirical Comedy developed in
16th C. By Ben Jonson.
• Based on Mediaeval Theory
classifying men into one of 4
humors:
• 1. Phlegm=lethargy
• 2. Blood=passion
• 3.Choler= anger
• 4. melancholy=depression
• Ex: Every Man in his Humor by
Ben Jonson.

16. Types of Comedy
4. Comedy of Manners
•Social comedy developed in 17th C.
By Congreve
•It’s satirical and concentrated on
depicting the ways of upper and
middle class men and women.
•It’s main tools are wit and brilliancy
in dialogue.
•Was inspired by Moliere the French
Dramatist
•Ex. Ways of the World by Congreve
•Richard Sheridan followed
Congreve . He wrote Rivals and The
school for Scandal.
5. Sentimental
Comedy
• In 18th C. based on the
goodness of human
nature and sentiments
displayed by the
characters.
• Tender Husband and
Conscious Lover by
Richard Steel
6. Modern Problem Play
• In the end of 19th C.
• Differed from the old-style
tragedy & comedy.
• Raised serious social &
individual questions.
• Avoids tragic endings & focuses
on causes of social ills.
• Flexible in nature.
• Ex. The Doll’s House by Ibsen.
• Pygmalion by George Bernard
Shaw.

17. Types of Tragedy
1. Revenge Tragedy 2. Decadent Tragedy
 The 1st to appear in England and was mastered
by Shakespeare.
 It’s main elements are:
a. A secret murder
b. Discovery of the murdered
c. Revenge taken by the relatives of the
murdered.
 Ex. Hamlet by Shakespeare.
 Ghost, Madness, and the high rank of the
hero are important characteristics of revenge
tragedy.
 Motivation in this type is to revenge.
 The technique of soliloquy is used to
communicate inner thoughts. It is widely used
in Elizabethan drama.
 Form of tragedy written in
17th C. by John Webster.
 Differs from revenge tragedy
on the degree of emphasis
on death, decay and crime.
 Crime and wickedness have
fascinating aspect.
 Criminals glory is in
criminality.

18. Types of Tragedy
3. Historical Tragedy 4. Heroic Tragedy
 Edward the Second by Marlowe
was the 1st drama of Historic kind.
 Playwrights took liberty in
disregarding chronology and
suppressing certain events.
 Shakespeare wrote 2 kinds of
historic drama:
a. The History of England, like
Richard II & Richard III
b. The history of Rome, like Julius
Caesar & Antony and
Cleopatra.
 Ben Jonson and Chapman are
other famous playwrights of
historic tragedy
 Was written by 17th C. French
dramatist Corneille.
 Dramatic action focuses on
honor and glory and love.
 Declamatory in character,
artificial in tone, full of
rhetorical speeches, and
impossible adventures.
 Has 5 act divisions & written
in rhyming verse
 1st tragedies in England was The
Siege of Rhodes by Davenant.
 Dryden’s the Conquest of
Granada