Theatrical Genres Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of 'genre'?

Form of literature

Style of music

Type of painting

Category or type of play (correct)

What is a tragedy?

Dramatic play involving serious actions and implications, usually has an unhappy ending.

What defines a comedy?

A play that is light in tone, concerned with issues that are not serious, has a happy ending and is designed to amuse.

What characterizes a farce?

A dramatic genre usually regarded as a subclass of comedy, thriving on exaggeration and emphasis on plot complications. Signup and view all the answers

What is satire in drama?

Dramatic form using techniques of comedy such as wit, irony, and exaggeration to attack and expose evil or foolishness. Signup and view all the answers

What is a comedy of manners?

Uses verbal wit to depict the charm of its characters and satires a particular social class/group. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a melodrama?

'Song' drama or 'music' drama, emphasizing action, spectacular effects, stock characters, and clearly defined villains and heroes. Signup and view all the answers

What is tragicomedy?

A play having tragic themes but a happy ending during the Renaissance, or a play integrating serious and comedic elements. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Theatre of the Absurd?

Plays expressing the dramatist's sense of absurdity and futility of existence, often featuring dark themes and humor. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theatrical Genres Study Notes

Genre: Refers to the category or type of play, defining the play's classification within the theatrical spectrum.
Tragedy: A serious dramatic play that typically involves grave actions and themes, leading to an unhappy or disastrous conclusion.
Comedy: Characterized by a light tone, these plays address less serious issues, concluding with a happy ending aimed at entertaining the audience.
Farce: A subgenre of comedy that relies on exaggerated situations and chaotic plot developments, prioritizing entertainment and laughter over intellectual depth.
Satire: Combines comedic techniques—like wit, irony, and exaggeration—to critique and expose societal evils and foolishness.
Comedy of Manners: A form that utilizes sharp verbal wit to portray the charm of its characters, often satirizing a specific social class or group.
Melodrama: Known as "song" or "music" drama, this genre emphasizes high-stakes action, spectacular effects, and features stock characters, with clear villains and heroes. It aims to engage the audience's emotions through exaggerated storytelling.
Tragicomedy: Originating in the Renaissance, this genre blends tragic themes with happy endings, often labeled as "Problem Plays." In contemporary contexts, it merges serious and comedic elements within a single narrative.
Theatre of the Absurd: Plays within this genre convey the playwright's vision of existential absurdity and futility, often presenting a bleak outlook on the world while still incorporating elements of humor and acrobatics.

Description

Test your knowledge of theatrical genres with these flashcards! Learn about different types of plays, including tragedy, comedy, and farce. This quiz will help you understand the key characteristics and definitions of various genres in drama.