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Elements of Drama

Tragedy: A type of drama that recounts the events of an individual=s life that results in an unhappy catastrophe. The purpose of a tragedy is to arouse a sense of pity in the audience. In twentieth century drama, middle class and laboring-class characters are often portrayed as the victims of social, heredity, and environmental forces.

Comedy: A type of drama that aims primarily to amuse and ends happily.

Absurdity: A type of theater which presents characters cut off from religious and philosophical roots and live in meaningless isolation in an alien universe.

Anti-Hero: A protagonist in a play who is an ordinary person, inglorious, and inarticulate, who carry on not from bravery but from inertia.

Tragic Flaw: The flaw or defect in a tragic hero that is the cause of his or her downfall.

Event: Anything that happens in a play. When one event causes or permits another event, the two events together comprise an action.

Action: A play is a series of actions. It is not about action, nor does it describe action. It is action. An action is comprised of two events: a trigger an a heap. Each heap becomes the next actions trigger, so that actions are like dominoes toppling one into the next.

Stasis: Stasis is the status quo that has existed in the play=s world up through its beginning. Stasis occurs when things would go on the same forever if something didn=t come along and happen.

Intrusion: Intrusion is something that upsets the status quo, causing or releasing forces that compose the play=s conflict. When the forces no longer conflict, new stasis is achieved and the play ends.

Obstacle: Any hindrance that gets in the way of what a character wants.

Motivation: Whatever it is that a character wants.

Dramatic Conflict: A play=s conflict is between what a character wants (motivation) and what hinders the want (obstacle). It=s important to remember that every word spoken by a character is said to overcome an obstacle and achieve something...