Dramatic Structure in Plays

Questions and Answers

What is the term for the way a play is divided into parts?

Dramatic unity

Play formation

Theatrical format

Dramatic structure (correct)

What is the purpose of a prologue in a drama?

To summarize the plot of the play

To give a moral lesson to the audience

To introduce the author of the play

To provide background information about the characters and their situations (correct)

Who delivers the prologue in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet?

The main character, Romeo

A chorus, a group of actors who speak and move in unison (correct)

The playwright, William Shakespeare

The narrator of the play

What is the function of the chorus in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet?

To serve as a narrator and provide background information Signup and view all the answers

What does the prologue in Romeo and Juliet establish?

The setting of the play Signup and view all the answers

What is true about prologues in dramas?

Prologues are optional and not all plays contain one Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of dividing a play into acts and scenes?

To organize the story into manageable parts Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the background information in the opening of Romeo and Juliet?

To provide context for the families' conflict Signup and view all the answers

How many acts can a play have?

Any number Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a scene in a play?

To divide the play's acts into smaller sections Signup and view all the answers

What is an epilogue in a drama?

A short conclusion to the play Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical number of scenes in an act?

Between two and three Signup and view all the answers

What indicates a change in scenes?

A change in setting or focus Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the word 'shadows' in the epilogue of A Midsummer Night's Dream?

To address the audience directly Signup and view all the answers

What is the climactic moment in a play called?

The climax Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dramatic Structure

A drama or play is a story acted out on stage by actors in front of an audience.
Dramatic structure refers to the way a play is divided into parts, similar to a book with sections and chapters.

The Prologue

A prologue is a brief introduction to the play, providing important background information about characters and their situations.
It can introduce main characters, describe their circumstances, or highlight themes of the play.
The prologue is delivered by an actor or group of actors before the action of the play begins.
Not all plays contain prologues.

Acts in a Play

An act is a large section or division of a play.
Plays can have any number of acts (e.g., Romeo and Juliet has five acts, A Raisin in the Sun has three acts).
The action of the play occurs within the acts.
Acts typically contain a character or characters with some type of conflict to resolve.
The conflict can be internal (mental struggle) or external (struggle against others, society, or nature).
The play's action builds towards a climax and ultimately resolves the conflict.

Scenes in a Play

A scene is a small section of the play, a division of an act.
Scenes are like chapters in a textbook, with each scene telling a small part of the story.
There is no set number of scenes in an act, but typically two to three scenes per act.
Scenes usually change when there is a change in setting or focus of the story.
Physical transformations of the stage's setting or lighting can indicate a change in scenes.

Epilogue

An epilogue is a short conclusion to a play that occurs after the main action has ended.
It is similar to a post-game show, with a character addressing the audience directly.
Epilogues were popular in Shakespeare's time, but not all plays have epilogues.
In an epilogue, a character may beg the audience's pardon, ask for applause, and provide a final thought or message.