Drama and Literature Overview

Tragedy

• The traditional symbol of tragedy is a sad mask.
• The tragic hero is fallible and their downfall is a result of their choices.

Comedy

• The word comedy comes from the Greek "komos," meaning a revel or celebration.
• Comedy is divided into "high" and "low" varieties.
• A regular comedy is a play of one to five acts.
• Plays are a genre of literature designed to be performed on stage.

Plot and Drama Structure

• The dramatic structure of a play refers to the plot.
• Plays are divided into acts.
• The plot revolves around a conflict: person versus self, another person, group, nature, or God/universe.
• The play's action and tension are built up to create an impact on the audience.
• The introduction can begin with the conflict immediately, called "in medias res."
• Hints of an impending conflict can be provided in the introduction.

Rising Action or Complication

• The rising action is the series of events that lead to the climax.

Turning Point, Climax, Crisis

• The turning point is the moment when the protagonist's fate is sealed.

Falling Action

• The falling action is the series of events that occur after the climax.

Denouement or Resolution

• The denouement is the final outcome of the play.

Tone in Drama

• The writer establishes the tone of a play through the use of language and character revelation.

Key Concepts

• Theme: The central idea or message of the play.
• Conflict: The central struggle in the play.
• Suspense: The feeling of anticipation and excitement created by the playwright.

Characters

• Characters must be well-developed and realistic.
• Characters should be portrayed authentically based on factors like gender, social class, age, education, marital status, occupation, and political beliefs.

Dialogue

• Dialogue is the primary component of a play.
• Dialogue should be realistic and reflect natural speech patterns.
• Avoid clichés, excessive use of character names, and long uninterrupted speeches.
• Theme should be conveyed through the events of the play, not through dialogue.

Dramatic Action

• Dramatic action defines a character's development from static to changing.

Figures of Speech and Imagery

• Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as."
• Metaphor: An implied comparison.
• Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.
• Apostrophe: Addressing objects as if they were real.
• Hyperbole: Exaggeration for effect or humor.
• Oxymoron: Combining two contradictory words.
• Irony:
  • Verbal: Saying the opposite of what is meant.
  • Situational: The opposite of what is expected happening.
  • Dramatic: The audience knows more than the characters.
• Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds.
• Onomatopoeia: Words that sound like what they describe.
• Metonymy: Substituting a word for another that signifies the same thing.
• Synecdoche: Using a part to represent the whole.
• Periphrasis: Using a descriptive phrase instead of a noun.
• Euphemism: Using a less offensive word for a harsh one.
• Climax: Arrangement of words or ideas in order of increasing importance.
• Anti-Climax: A decrease in importance of what is said, opposite to the climax.
• Antithesis: Balancing two opposing ideas.
• Pun: A play on words with humorous effect.
• Allusion: Reference to a literary, biblical, socio-political, scientific, or mythological event or character.
• Paradox: A contradictory yet true statement.
• Assonance: Repetition of initial vowel sounds.
• Anaphora: Repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of clauses or sentences.
• Visual: Creating a picture in words, something visualizable.
• Auditory: Creating sounds in the reader's mind.
• Olfactory: Creating smells in the reader's mind.

Explore the fundamental concepts of tragedy and comedy within drama, including the structure and components of plays. Understand how the plot and rising action contribute to the overall impact of theatrical works. This quiz covers essential terms and definitions to enhance your knowledge of dramatic literature.