Theatre Basics: Understanding a Play

Questions and Answers

What is one of the benefits of theatre?

Seeing a heightened version of our reality

Which of the following place restraints on even the most expansive plays?

Duration (correct)

Genre

Theme

Cast Size

In Western drama, what is the typical duration of a 'full-length' play?

Two to three hours

For Aristotle, the central character in a tragedy is

the protagonist Signup and view all the answers

Which genre have scholars and teachers traditionally prized most highly?

Tragedy Signup and view all the answers

The word 'catharsis' was used in what field before Aristotle used it for theatre?

Medicine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are ways plays are classified?

Genre Signup and view all the answers

Why are some plays able to fit into multiple genres?

Every play is unique. Genres are only a convenience for analysis. Signup and view all the answers

The average duration of a play roughly represents what period of time?

The time between lunch and dinner Signup and view all the answers

The two aspects of dramaturgy are the timeline of a play and

the components of a play Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a serious play treating universal themes?

Tragedy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are essential components of a tragedy, according to Aristotle?

Spectacle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are typical features of comedies?

Physical farce Signup and view all the answers

Why is classifying plays by genre useful?

It helps in understanding important differences between individual plays. Signup and view all the answers

The 'timeline' of a play refers to

the order of events Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following refers to what happens in a play and why, or the structure of actions both external and internal?

Plot Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle identified how many elements of serious drama?

Six Signup and view all the answers

An important part of the definition of character for Aristotle is that characters

are formed by text yet seem human Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what does the term 'plot' refer to?

What happens in the play Signup and view all the answers

The theme of a play is

an abstraction that is not immediately evident in the text Signup and view all the answers

Diction is used to describe

the quality of the language in a play Signup and view all the answers

For Aristotle, characters are formed by the text and they

seem human Signup and view all the answers

A musical score can do which of the following?

Intensify rising suspense Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle used the word 'thought' to refer to

the arguments and concepts of a play Signup and view all the answers

______ refers to the language of a dramatic text, including its use of rhyme, rhythm, and verse.

Diction Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, which of the following are components of theatrical spectacle?

Costumes Signup and view all the answers

Music in a play typically can be used to

Tell the audience something about the characters Signup and view all the answers

Due to theatrical conventions, an audience understands that when all the actors leave the stage and then they or others reenter with different lighting,

time has elapsed Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle referred to the visual elements of theatre as the

spectacle Signup and view all the answers

When the audience believes the setting created by a character, this is an example of which of the following?

A theatrical 'convention' Signup and view all the answers

A theatrical 'aside' is

when a character speaks to the audience, unheard by other characters Signup and view all the answers

A poster for a production is most closely associated with

the 'preplay' period Signup and view all the answers

How do exposition, conflict, climax, and denouement function in drama?

They are necessary for an orderly plot sequence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following refers to agreements between audience and actors governing the presentation of a play?

Theatrical convention Signup and view all the answers

In the 'well-made plays' of the nineteenth century, a few characters, often servants, would discuss the ________.

exposition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities are characteristic of the 'preplay' portion of a performance?

To publicize the performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are necessary for the orderly plot sequencing of a conventionally Aristotelian drama?

Climax Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an important function of a play's exposition?

To familiarize us with the characters and their concerns Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following creates drama by provoking characters to decision and action?

Conflict Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true of the climax of a play?

It is the conflict taken to its most extreme point Signup and view all the answers

The 'denouement' refers to which part of a play?

the time between the climax and the end of the play Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true of conflict in dramatic structure?

It helps to generate suspense Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the curtain call?

To celebrate the connection between actors and audience Signup and view all the answers

Dramatic criticism is part of which part of the drama's timeline?

The post-play period Signup and view all the answers

For Aristotle, the climax of a tragedy produces ______, a cleansing or purification.

catharsis Signup and view all the answers

Compared to those in mid-century American plays, current denouements are more likely to be ______.

ironic Signup and view all the answers

What is the first element of the 'postplay'?

The curtain call Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are activities audiences engage in during the 'post-play' period?

Discussing aspects of the play Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Plays

Theatre offers a heightened experience of reality, allowing audiences to explore universal themes and emotions.
Duration imposes constraints on even the most expansive plays, with typical full-length Western dramas running two to three hours.
Aristotle's concept of tragedy centers on the protagonist, a central character that drives the narrative.

Genres and Classification

Tragedy holds traditional prestige in the study of dramatic arts, valued for its serious themes and emotional depth.
Plays are commonly classified by duration and genre, with genre helping to analyze and understand their unique elements.
Many plays cross genres due to their unique narratives; genres serve primarily as tools for analysis rather than strict classifications.

Dramaturgy and Structure

The timeline of a play outlines the sequence of events, while the components encompass elements such as plot and character definitions.
Key components of tragedy, according to Aristotle, include plot, diction, and spectacle, all of which work together to convey deep experiences.
Comedies often feature physical farce and mistaken identities, showcasing humor as a central theme.

Key Elements of Drama

Essential components of serious drama include exposition, conflict, climax, and denouement, which together create a coherent narrative structure.
Conflict initiates action, creates suspense, and is intertwined with characters' choices, enriching the plot's complexity.
The climax represents the peak of conflict, culminating in a significant turning point for the narrative.

Characters and Their Development

Aristotle emphasizes that characters must seem human, gaining depth through performance and textual representation.
The plot encompasses not only the events of the play but also the reasons behind them, lending to the structure of actions.

Theatrical Elements

Diction refers to the quality and style of language, including rhyme and rhythm, which shapes the audience's experience.
The visual and auditory elements, such as lighting, costumes, and music, contribute to the spectacle and enhance the emotional impact of the play.
Theatrical conventions, including asides and transitions, guide the audience's understanding and enhance storytelling.

Post-Play Dynamics

The post-play period involves engagement through discussions, debates, and reviews, where audiences reflect on their experience.
The curtain call symbolizes the connection between actors and the audience, celebrating the collective experience of the performance.
Dramatic criticism arises in the post-play phase, offering insights and analysis of the play's thematic and structural components.

Catharsis and Emotional Impact

Catharsis refers to the emotional cleansing or purification experienced by the audience during the climax of a tragedy, facilitating a powerful emotional release.
The denouement follows the climax, often taking on more ironic characteristics in modern plays compared to earlier narratives.

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of theatre and playwriting in this quiz on Chapter 2. Test your knowledge on the benefits of theatre, play duration, and Aristotle's views on tragedy. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of drama.