Questions and Answers
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?
Two to three hours.
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?
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Which of the following is true about the differences between tragedy and comedy?
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How does tragic suffering differ from pathetic or maudlin feelings?
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Why do comedies typically go out-of-date more quickly than tragedies?
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Comedies that use a bleaker humor in dealing with serious themes are known as what?
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How is Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman different from its classically tragic ancestors?
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What is the Greek term for the 'carrier of the action' in a tragedy?
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What is a play that dramatizes the key events in the life of a king called?
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Ultimately, the practice of dividing plays into genre is what?
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Which dramatic genre purports to be serious but deals with human issues superficially?
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Which dramatic genre offers a wild and hilarious treatment of trivial themes?
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Which one of the following is part of the horizontal axis of dramaturgy?
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What are the six components of a play according to Aristotle?
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What is the difference between plot and story?
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Which element refers to the pronunciation of spoken dialogue and the literary nature of the play's text?
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Which element describes the play's use of rhythm and sounds?
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What is the visual aspect of the play called?
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What is the agreement between the audience and the actor called?
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What is background information presented within the play called?
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How can a playwright present a play's exposition?
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In play construction, what is the single action that initiates the major conflict called?
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What is the final scene or lines in a play called that brings it to a new level of harmony?
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Genre means category or kind.
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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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Description
Explore the fundamentals of what constitutes a play in this quiz based on Chapter 2. Learn about the significance of conflict, the length of full-length plays in Western drama, and the transformation of characters in Greek tragedy. Perfect for drama students looking to reinforce their understanding.
