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Questions and Answers
What is a play?
What is a play?
An action focused around a particular conflict, which gives the action significance.
In Western drama, a full-length play has historically been designated as one that lasts how long?
In Western drama, a full-length play has historically been designated as one that lasts how long?
Two to three hours.
In Greek tragedy, what happens to the central character?
In Greek tragedy, what happens to the central character?
Undergoes a change that leads to his or her demise.
What is the purging or cleansing of the audience's pity and terror at the climax of a tragedy called?
What is the purging or cleansing of the audience's pity and terror at the climax of a tragedy called?
Which of the following is true about the differences between tragedy and comedy?
Which of the following is true about the differences between tragedy and comedy?
How does tragic suffering differ from pathetic or maudlin feelings?
How does tragic suffering differ from pathetic or maudlin feelings?
Why do comedies typically go out-of-date more quickly than tragedies?
Why do comedies typically go out-of-date more quickly than tragedies?
Comedies that use a bleaker humor in dealing with serious themes are known as what?
Comedies that use a bleaker humor in dealing with serious themes are known as what?
How is Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman different from its classically tragic ancestors?
How is Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman different from its classically tragic ancestors?
What is the Greek term for the 'carrier of the action' in a tragedy?
What is the Greek term for the 'carrier of the action' in a tragedy?
What is a play that dramatizes the key events in the life of a king called?
What is a play that dramatizes the key events in the life of a king called?
Ultimately, the practice of dividing plays into genre is what?
Ultimately, the practice of dividing plays into genre is what?
Which dramatic genre purports to be serious but deals with human issues superficially?
Which dramatic genre purports to be serious but deals with human issues superficially?
Which dramatic genre offers a wild and hilarious treatment of trivial themes?
Which dramatic genre offers a wild and hilarious treatment of trivial themes?
Which one of the following is part of the horizontal axis of dramaturgy?
Which one of the following is part of the horizontal axis of dramaturgy?
What are the six components of a play according to Aristotle?
What are the six components of a play according to Aristotle?
What is the difference between plot and story?
What is the difference between plot and story?
Which element refers to the pronunciation of spoken dialogue and the literary nature of the play's text?
Which element refers to the pronunciation of spoken dialogue and the literary nature of the play's text?
Which element describes the play's use of rhythm and sounds?
Which element describes the play's use of rhythm and sounds?
What is the visual aspect of the play called?
What is the visual aspect of the play called?
What is the agreement between the audience and the actor called?
What is the agreement between the audience and the actor called?
What is background information presented within the play called?
What is background information presented within the play called?
How can a playwright present a play's exposition?
How can a playwright present a play's exposition?
In play construction, what is the single action that initiates the major conflict called?
In play construction, what is the single action that initiates the major conflict called?
What is the final scene or lines in a play called that brings it to a new level of harmony?
What is the final scene or lines in a play called that brings it to a new level of harmony?
Genre means category or kind.
Genre means category or kind.
What is the central character in any type of drama called?
What is the central character in any type of drama called?
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Study Notes
Definition of a Play
- A play is characterized by an action centered around a specific conflict, which imbues the action with meaning.
Full-Length Plays
- Full-length plays in Western drama typically last between two to three hours.
Greek Tragedy
- The main character in Greek tragedy experiences a transformation leading to their downfall.
Catharsis
- Catharsis is the emotional release felt by the audience at the climax of a tragedy, involving pity and terror.
Tragedy vs. Comedy
- Tragedy often focuses on great individuals, while comedy is centered around ordinary characters.
Tragic Suffering
- Tragic suffering differs from overly sentimental feelings in that the tragic hero showcases remarkable courage in facing overwhelming challenges.
Timeliness of Comedies
- Comedies tend to become outdated faster than tragedies due to their topical nature, reflecting contemporary life.
Dark Comedies
- Dark comedies incorporate grim humor while addressing serious themes.
Modern Tragedy
- Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" distinguishes itself from classical tragedies by excluding divine elements, focusing instead on modern societal pressures.
Protagonist
- In Greek tragedy, the term "protagonist" refers to the central figure driving the action.
History Play
- A history play dramatizes significant events in the life of a king or political leader, exemplified by works like Shakespeare's "Henry IV".
Genre Subjectivity
- Classifying plays into genres is inherently subjective, as each play possesses unique characteristics.
Melodrama
- Melodrama presents serious themes superficially, embellished with dramatic staging and contrived plots.
Farce
- Farce delivers comedic narratives centered around trivial themes, often using exaggerated scenarios and misunderstandings.
Dramaturgy Elements
- The "pre-play" phase is a component of the horizontal axis of dramaturgy.
Aristotle's Components
- Aristotle identifies six critical elements of a play in order of importance: plot, character, theme, diction, music, and spectacle.
Plot vs. Story
- The plot refers to the arrangement of events within the play, while the story encompasses the narrative of what occurs.
Diction
- Diction encompasses both the delivery of dialogue and the literary quality of the text, including tone, imagery, and poetic devices.
Music in Drama
- Music refers to the auditory elements in a play, including rhythm, instrumental pieces, and sound effects.
Spectacle
- Spectacle involves the visual components of a play, such as scenery, costumes, lighting, and makeup.
Convention
- Convention is the implicit agreement between the audience and actors that shapes the experience of watching a play.
Exposition
- Exposition consists of background information essential for the audience to grasp the unfolding action.
Presentation of Exposition
- A spoken prologue can be an effective method for conveying exposition within a play.
Inciting Incident
- The inciting incident is the pivotal moment that instigates the primary conflict of the play.
Denouement
- The denouement represents the conclusive scene or lines that restore harmony or provide resolution after the climax.
Genre Definition
- Genre is defined as a category or type of artistic work.
Tragic Hero
- The central character in any drama, referred to as the tragic hero, embodies significant and often noble qualities.
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