Tragedy and other serious drama PDF

Preview

Summary

Giving types of Tradegy and example of each type. ...

Description

Tracy Ngo Introduction to the Theater Homework #3 15 October 2018 Tragedy and other serious Drama Tragedy: a type of drama that presents a serious subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events in a dignified manner. Two types of Tragedy: 1. Traditional Tragedy: Tragedy has its roots in ancient Greek theater – in 1850 and is still associated with drama. It is the oldest form of drama. Traditional tragedy portrays the protagonist's fall from high authority or renown to ruin, often predetermined by fate or driven by a tragic flaw. Traditional Tragedy characteristics: a. Tragedy Heroes and Heroines: typically, an extraordinary person or a person of stature. This would be a queen, king, nobleman or woman, a general, etc. b. Tragedy Circumstance: A tragedy or catastrophe brought about by unforeseen circumstances, such as some forms of traffic accidents, a child being run down by a drunken motorist jumping the curb, spontaneous fire eruptions, natural disasters or (Acts of God). The universe seems determined to trap the hero or heroine in a fateful web. c. Tragedy Irretrievability: (no way out) no turning back, no escape, must go forward and meet their fate. Characters must face the situation. d. acceptance of responsibility: must accept responsibility for their actions and show a willingness to suffer.

e. Verse: many feel that because tragedy soars to the heights and descends to the depths of the human experience, it's adequately related to the audience through poetry, also known as verse. 2. Modern Tragedy: a dramatic work where a hero is often an ordinary person who faces circumstances with dignity and courage of spirit. -

Plays are written in the 19th century.

-

Do not have queens and kings as central characters.

-

Written in prose instead of poetry.

-

Some will argue that because of these facts, modern tragedies are not TRUE tragedies.

-

They still ask the same questions of human existence as the writers in the older time periods: Why do we suffer? Why do violence and injustice exist? And ultimately, what is the meaning of our lives?

Subtext: the hidden or underlying meaning of emotion, tension, and thought. Drama: is a composition in verse or prose presenting a story in pantomime or dialogue. It contains conflict of characters, particularly the ones who perform in front of an audience on the stage. Types of Drama: a. Heroic Drama: A serious but basically optimistic drama written in elevated prose or verse, with noble or heroic characters in extreme situations or unusual adventures; it is written in other features of traditional tragedy with a happy ending or an optimistic worldview even when the ending is sad. b. Domestic drama: refers to plays that deal with problems of the family or home rather than great affairs of state.

-

In Greek, Roman, and Renaissance periods, these main characters would serve exclusively in comedies.

-

The change happened around the 18th century when there was a demand for characters that the audience could relate to

c. Melodrama: -

Dramatic from made popular in the 18th century that emphasized action and spectacular effects and also used music to underscore the action; it had stock characters, usually with clearly defined villains and heroes.

-

Comes from the Grecian word "music drama" or "song drama"

-

The audience is drawn into the action.

-

The issues are clear-cut and there is a strong delineation of right and wrong.

-

The conflict between goodness and evil.

-

The characters are clearly recognizable as good or bad

-

The action is exaggerated with the main characters always living in danger and on the edge.

-

Examples of music usage: ominous chords being played as the villain sneaks and lyrical music to underscore a love scene.

-

Strives for fright and horror and promotes a sense of paranoia.

-

Can also argue political and moral issues. Typically, if a playwright wanted to speak make a strong political case they will often use the "good" characters to represent their point of view.

-

The audience identifies strongly with the characters.

A play that exemplifies the Tragedy: Prince Hamlet; Hamlet (by William Shakespeare)

Hamlet is the prince of Denmark, a man of high social status and noble by birth. He is almost driven to madness by his father’s tortured ghost, who convinces him that Claudius is responsible for his father’s death, and that he has committed treachery. Hamlet then makes a plan to take revenge on his father’s killer, but he is blinded by his hamartia, neglecting his relations with other loved ones – Ophelia and his mother Gertrude. Hamlet’s hamartia is his constant contemplation and brooding, which causes him to delay, which ultimately results in his destruction. By the end, Hamlet also falls in a bloodbath, touching the hearts of the audience by highlighting the most primal fear, death....