an essay on drama

Essays About Drama: Top 5 Examples and 5 Prompts

The word drama covers many meanings and subjects; if you are writing essays about drama, discover our guide with interesting essay examples and writing prompts featured here.

What is drama to you? Many know it as a situation or event in which emotions run high. For others, the grand, intricate stage plays of Shakespeare and others of his time come to mind. Regardless, these and all other definitions of drama share one thing in common: emotion.

In all its forms, from theatre to television to cinema to even day-to-day interaction, drama is always centered around emotion, tension, and conflict- things we experience daily. Drama is, quite literally, our life, complete with all its imperfections, troubles, twists, and turns. 

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers

1. The History of Drama by Homer Stewart

2. why the news is not the truth by peter vanderwicken, 3. drama reflection essay (author unknown), 4. kitchen sink dramas by rodolfo chandler, 5. love yourself, not your drama by crystal jackson, 6. shakespeare’s theater: an essay from the folger shakespeare editions by barbara mowat and paul werstine, 1. what is drama, 2. types of drama, 3. the history of drama, 4. is the world over-dramatized today, 5. a dramatic incident of the past.

“Perhaps the most theatrical form of drama was opera which is still popular in today’s society. Broadway is certainly a sight that attracts thousands of people annually. In addition, the playwrights of today are striving to make the theatrical experience meaningful to the lives of viewers so that it is not just simply “pleasant entertainment”. Many themes that drama plays in modern times focus on are social problems, tragedies involving the elements of love and hate and as well as social problems that affect the inhabitants of today.”

Stewart gives readers a brief history of drama and its subjects. In different eras, the plays were based around themes and ideas prevalent in those times; for example, the Romantic Period focused on the “experiences of ordinary people.” He also references several playwrights, including Friedrich von Schiller and Percy Bysshe Shelley. In modern times, drama is centered around critical social issues while still managing to be engaging and entertaining.

“Pulitzer turned them into stories with a sharp dramatic focus that both implied and aroused intense public interest. Most newspapers of the time looked like the front page of the Wall Street Journal still does. Pulitzer made stories dramatic by adding blaring headlines, big pictures, and eye-catching graphics. His journalism took events out of their dry, institutional contexts and made them emotional rather than rational, immediate rather than considered, and sensational rather than informative.”

Vanderwicken criticizes the state of news today, saying that many stories are dramatized and outright fabricated to make them more entertaining. He attributes this to Joseph Pulitzer of Pulitzer Prize fame, who introduced He also gives historical examples of instances where the media has exaggerated – news today is too dramatic, and it must change.

You might also be interested in these essays about Macbeth .

“I felt that this learning experience is a very huge step because it takes us from doing a play which is very immature in to something that is big and has maturity in it. It helps me to practice in fluency, public speaking and mostly self-confidence. In the play I developed my ways of acting and how to put emotions in to the character, in which those emotions were not really me.”

This essay describes lessons one can learn from performing drama, such as confidence and speaking fluently. The author also reflects on an experience performing in drama, where the author learned to be more expressive, speak better, and become more hardworking. There is also a brief discussion on the elements of drama, including plot and setting. Drama is important and can teach you essential skills and lessons. 

“In the late 1950s in Britain, the “Kitchen Sink movement”, which is also known as “Kitchen Sink realism” occurred. This cultural movement stemed from ideas about working class activities. A typical writer of kitchen sink dramas is John Osborne, for example his drama “Look back in anger” which aroused many strong opinions when it was first performed as a drama. It is set in a small flat in the west midlands, which is typical of working class people.”

Chandler describes a period in drama where “kitchen sink dramas” depicted working-class stories. He uses John Osborne’s “Look Back in Anger” as an example, briefly describing the play. Jimmy, one of the characters, was known as an “angry young man,” This term was later used to describe young people critical of the social and political state of the world.

“We learn to recognize co-dependence, narcissism, and toxicity for what they are rather than making excuses because we liked the look of someone. In other words, we grow up. We stay in love with our own toxic patterns and keep the cycle of damage going, or we recognize the collateral damage of all our drama and start wanting better for ourselves. We make choices. We experience consequences. If we grow up, we’ll even connect the two.”

Jackson’s essay discusses drama from another perspective, the drama that comes with love life. She gives readers tips on how to care for yourself better and look past all the tension, confusion, and drama that comes with dating. If we look at potential partners from a deeper, more constructive point of view, we can avoid toxic relationships and have a healthy love life. 

“When performance required that an actor appear “above,” as when Juliet is imagined to stand at the window of her chamber in the famous and misnamed “balcony scene,” then the actor probably climbed the stairs to the gallery over the back of the stage and temporarily shared it with some of the spectators. The stage was also provided with ropes and winches so that actors could descend from, and reascend to, the “heavens.””

In their essay, Mowat and Werstine discuss the conventions of performing Shakespearean drama during his time, including the performance of some scenes in different areas of the theater and men playing women’s roles. They also discuss how the theaters they performed in, such as the Globe Theatre, enhanced the plays’ dramatic effect.

5 Prompts for Essays About Drama

The word drama has many meanings and is used differently, as seen in the essay examples above. In your essay, give the word’s etymology, explain the different sides of drama, from theatre to school life, and give examples of how they exemplify the meaning. Explain how they are all connected as well. 

Drama in the context of theatre has four primary forms: comedy, tragedy, tragicomedy, and melodrama. Discuss each type of drama and elaborate on its characteristics. If you wish, compare and contrast them as well. Be sure to give examples of plays when explaining them.   

In your essay, you can also discuss the different periods in the history of drama. Explain what occurred in these periods, how drama changed, and their effects on modern drama. You need not explore too many periods; just make sure you write about key developments and explain them adequately. 

In the world today, the resilience of survivors is glorified and dramatized, while we see media outlets making headlines out of mere gossip and celebrity news. From this, it can be argued that society is centered around making a drama out of nothing. Why is this the case? Discuss your opinion on this issue- feel free to research if you need inspiration. 

Look back to a past event marked by tension, emotion, and drama. Narrate the events and explain how they made you feel- did you learn anything from them? This can be either your own experience or just an event from history or the news. You can read this essay for further inspiration. 

Note: drama can mean different things to different people, so what you consider “dramatic” is up to you.For help picking your next essay topic, check out our top essay topics about love .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Essay on Drama

Students are often asked to write an essay on Drama in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Drama

Introduction.

Drama is a unique tool to explore and express human feeling. It’s an art form that allows people to communicate and connect with each other.

Types of Drama

Drama can be categorized into genres like tragedy, comedy, and melodrama. Each one has its own style and way of engaging the audience.

Role of Drama

Drama plays a significant role in education. It helps students develop critical thinking and boosts their confidence.

In conclusion, drama is a powerful medium that can entertain, educate, and inspire. It’s an integral part of our culture and society.

250 Words Essay on Drama

Introduction to drama.

Drama, originating from the Greek word “dran” meaning “to do,” is a genre of literature that utilizes performance as its primary medium. It is a mirror of society, reflecting the intricacies of human nature, our relationships, and the societal issues we grapple with.

The Evolution of Drama

Drama has evolved significantly from its inception in ancient Greece, where it was intertwined with religious rituals. The Renaissance period saw the rise of dramatic forms like tragedy and comedy, with playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe leading the way. The 20th century brought about realism, absurdism, and postmodernism, pushing the boundaries of traditional drama.

Elements of Drama

Drama comprises various elements such as plot, character, theme, dialogue, and spectacle. The plot is the sequence of events, the backbone of the drama. Characters are the individuals involved in these events. The theme represents the underlying message or the main idea. Dialogue is the spoken words by characters, and the spectacle includes all visual aspects of the performance.

Impact of Drama

Drama has a profound impact on society and individuals. It can challenge our perspectives, evoke emotions, and promote empathy by allowing us to experience different realities. Moreover, it serves as a platform for social commentary and critique, often inciting change.

In conclusion, drama is a dynamic and influential form of literature that has the power to reflect and shape society. Its evolution and elements make it a compelling study, offering insights into the human condition and our societal structures.

500 Words Essay on Drama

Drama, a genre of literature, is a complex and influential art form that has been an integral part of human culture for thousands of years. It is a medium through which stories are told and emotions are expressed, using a combination of dialogues, actions, and visual elements.

Historical Overview

The roots of drama are deep-seated in the ancient world, where the Greeks pioneered the art form in 5th century BC. They used drama as a means to explore philosophical ideas, moral dilemmas, and the human condition. Over the years, drama evolved, incorporating elements from different cultures and societies, resulting in a rich and diverse tapestry of theatrical forms.

The core elements of drama include plot, character, theme, dialogue, rhythm, and spectacle. The plot provides the structure, while characters bring life to the story. Themes present underlying messages or moral lessons. Dialogue acts as the vehicle for characters to express their emotions and thoughts. Rhythm, often achieved through the pace of dialogue and action, creates a sense of timing and flow. Lastly, spectacle, which encompasses visual elements like costumes, sets, and special effects, adds a sensory dimension to the experience.

Drama can be categorized into various types, each with its distinct characteristics. Tragedy, a form that dates back to ancient Greece, focuses on the downfall of a heroic or noble character. Comedy, on the other hand, aims to amuse the audience, often using satire, wit, and humor. Melodrama, characterized by exaggerated characters and exciting events, appeals to the audience’s emotions. Lastly, tragicomedy, a hybrid of tragedy and comedy, balances elements of both to explore the complexities of life.

Drama’s Influence on Society

Drama plays a significant role in society, often reflecting and shaping cultural and societal norms. It can be a powerful tool for social commentary, shedding light on societal issues and sparking discussions. Moreover, drama can also serve as a form of escapism, providing audiences a break from reality and allowing them to immerse themselves in different worlds.

In conclusion, drama is a multifaceted and dynamic art form that continues to evolve and adapt to the changing times. It offers a unique blend of storytelling, visual spectacle, and emotional engagement, making it an enduring and impactful part of human culture. Whether it’s on a grand theater stage or a small community playhouse, drama continues to captivate audiences, offering them a mirror to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.

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Essay on Drama in English

A drama is a medium through which any kind of story is enacted through performance and dialogue. It has a plot, characters, conflict, music and dialogue. It tries to entertain an individual or a group of individuals. Generally, dramas are performed by the actors in a place called stage or theatre.

A theatre is a place in which a play is performed. It can be big or small. It can also be an indoor theatre or outdoor one. A theatre needs at least one character. A drama always aims to reach to a large number of audience or people.

The actors in a drama are normally humans. But, broadly speaking, actors also are seen in the form of cartoons, puppets, or sometimes robots that perform with the help of human.

Today, dramas can be seen in the forms of television serials, movies, and radio plays. The T.V. serials like Motu Patlu, Chhota Bheem are all had cartoons as their actors.

Generally, drama is divided into four categories. One is comedy, tragedy, Melodrama and tragicomedy.

Drama activities in schools are very much fruitful for children. They make learning entertaining and as well as memorable. By taking part in any of the dramas performed in the classroom, children can improve their communication skill as well as self-confidence.

Dramas are seen performing in many functions organized in the schools. They are generally based on any social cause like ‘Stop Cutting Trees’, ‘Save Water etc. It helps students to improve their knowledge of a particular subject. Likewise, drama has become an important part of human life.

In many schools, different drama clubs are formed. The aim is to allow students to think creatively. It helps students to be enough confident so to live a better life.

Table of Contents

Questions on Drama

What is drama explain.

A drama is a medium through which any kind of story is enacted through performance and dialogue. It tries to entertain an individual or a group of individuals.

What are drama and its forms?

A drama is a medium through which any kind of story is enacted through performance and dialogue. Drama is divided into four categories. One is comedy, tragedy, Melodrama and tragicomedy.

What are the characteristics of drama?

The characteristics of drama are plot, characters, conflict, music and dialogue.

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• Literary Terms

When & How to Write Drama

• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Write Drama

How to Write Drama

• Start with characters . The best dramas are usually character- driven. They have a cast of main characters (usually fewer than 10), plus a handful of supporting characters. These characters should all be very distinct from one another, and the main characters should be authentic and life-like. This way, the audience can relate to them and cares what happens to them.
• Introduce conflict. All stories revolve around conflict, and this is especially true in drama. The conflict could be anything – the simplest example is political conflict or war, but you might also have competing love interests, clashes in personality, or simply a struggle against misfortune.
• Don’t forget about comic relief. Unless you’re writing a tragedy (see section 6), there should be at least some amount of humor in your drama. Otherwise, the negative emotions will get overwhelming and the experience will be too unpleasant for the reader. Give a few funny lines to your characters, or add an amusing situation somewhere to cut the tension – just make sure that this comic relief arises naturally from the story and it doesn’t feel like you’re cramming it in.

When to Use Drama

Drama is great for a creative writing project. It offers opportunities to work on character development, story structure, and a whole other set of writing skills. Every once in a while, you may also find a place for drama in formal essays , but you have to be careful.

For example, history essays are often more enjoyable to read if you craft them with a “dramatic” eye – focusing on a small set of main characters, contrasting these characters and their various desires, and fully describing the conflict at the center of the story. These techniques, in combination with good research and persuasive logic, can turn a good essay into a great one. However, you do have to be careful – too much drama in a formal essay can start to seem distracting, and you don’t want to give the impression that you’re more committed to the entertainment value than to the research and analysis.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Definition of Drama

Drama is a mode of fictional representation through dialogue and performance. It is one of the literary genres , which is an imitation of some action. Drama is also a type of play written for theater, television, radio, and film.

In simple words, a 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. The person who writes drama for stage directions is known as a “dramatist” or “playwright.”

Types of Drama

There are several types of dramas some of the most common forms are given below.

• Comedy : Plays or dramas that are meant to create laughter among the readers or the audiences.
• Comedy of Manners: Plays or dramas that are meant to make fun of the manners and ways of a social group to make fun of them for correction.
• Commedia Dell’artea : Italian plays that are meant to create characters to place them in improvised situations. It was also called a comedy of profession. Most of the characters presented in such plays were masters, lovers, and servants.
• Costume Drama: These plays or dramas are meant to present dresses of the time.
• Farce : These plays or dramas present buffoons, horseplay for crude characterization .
• Grand Guignol: These plays or dramas are meant to show brutality, horror , and violence during the 19 th century.
• Jacobean Drama: These plays and dramas were written during the period of James I.
• Kabuki: These plays and dramas are of Japanese style comprising dance, stylized performance, and glamorous costumes.
• Kathakali: These short plays with the music of Indian origin are known for colorful costumes and face masks.
• Melodrama : These dramas and plays are known for exaggeration of characters, events, and situations for sensationalism.
• Morality Plays: These dramas and plays were meant to highlight moral qualities during the 15 th and 16 th centuries of Europe.
• Mastery Play: These dramas were written during the Middle Ages to depict the life of Christ.
• Shadow Play: These dramas and plays used to present shadows instead of characters on the stage.
• Situation Comedy or Sitcom: These plays or dramas present various characters in their daily activities .
• Soap Operate: These plays or dramas present a domestic thematic strand full of sentimentalism.
• Sketch: These short dramas and plays are meant to create comic situations through short sketches.
• Street Theater: These dramas and plays are meant to entertain the public in the streets through readymade scenes and themes .
• Absurd Play: These plays and dramas are meant to present the irrationality of life through changing dramatic structures and conventions.
• Theatre of Cruelty: These dramas and plays are meant to change present sufferings and pains through characters, themes, and structures.
• Tragedy : This is the oldest form of drama that means to present tragic emotions on the stage.
• Tragicomedy : This type of drama presents tragedy and comedy together to make the people feel relieved after watching tragic events.
• Romantic Comedy: A form of comedy, these dramas, and plays are meant to present light-hearted moments of life.

 American Drama and the Postmodernism

Although this topic requires more content and space, here American drama means the American plays between the late 1900s and early 2000s (1990-2020), and postmodern means a theoretical perspective . Such types of plays are written with the following features:

• Theatrical experimentation
• Use of pastiches and intertextualities
• Presentation of mini or meta- narratives
• Fragmented themes, characters, and presentations
• Presentation of rejection of art
• Metatheatre
• Non-linearity

Dramatic Sentences – Use of Drama in Sentences

• George’s next-door neighbors, The Manfreds, were all asleep in their coffins when I climbed the fence to get my football.
• When Rosy saw her favorite choco-chip cookie at the Elite Bakers, she felt as if the time froze.
• Just after the old man died, he sat up!
• Icy fingers gripped Monica’s arm in the darkness . She let out a shrill cry.
• Ian had never seen a ghost in his entire life. But as they say, there is a first time for everything.

Examples of Drama in Literature

Example #1: much ado about nothing (by william shakespeare).

Much Ado About Nothing is the most frequently performed Shakespearian comedy in modern times. The play is romantically funny, in that love between Hero and Claudio is laughable, as they never even get a single chance to communicate on-stage until they get married.

Their relationship lacks development and depth. They end up merely as caricatures , exemplifying what people face in life when their relationships are internally weak. The love between Benedick and Beatrice is amusing, as initially, their communications are very sparky, and they hate each other. However, they all of sudden make up, and start loving each other.

Example #2: Oedipus Rex (By Sophocles)

Sophocles’ mythical and immortal drama Oedipus Rex is thought to be his best classical tragedy. Aristotle has adjudged this play as one of the greatest examples of tragic drama in his book, Poetics , by giving the following reasons:

• The play arouses emotions of pity and  fear , and achieves tragic Catharsis .
• It shows the downfall of an extraordinary man of high rank, Oedipus.
• The central character suffers due to his tragic error called Hamartia ; as he murders his real father, Laius, and then marries his real mother, Jocasta.
• Hubris is the cause of Oedipus’ downfall.

Example #3: The Importance of Being Earnest (By Oscar Wilde)

Oscar Wilde ’s play, The Importance of Being Earnest , is a very popular example of Victorian farce . In this play, a man uses two identities: one as a serious person, Jack (his actual name), which he uses for Cesily, his ward, and as a rogue named Ernest for his beloved woman, Gwendolyn.

Unluckily, Gwendolyn loves him partially because she loves the name Ernest. It is when Jack and Earnest must come on-stage together for Cesily, then Algernon comes in to play Earnest’ role, and his ward immediately falls in love with the other “Ernest.” Thus, two young women think that they love the same man – an occurrence that amuses the audience.

Example #4: The Heiress (By Henry James)

Melodrama :

The Heiress is based on Henry James’ novel the Washington Square. Directed for stage performance by William Wyler, this play shows an ungraceful and homely daughter of a domineering and rich doctor. She falls in love with a young man, Morris Townsend, and wishes to elope with him, but he leaves her in the lurch. The author creates melodrama towards the end when Catherine teaches a lesson to Morris and leaves him instead.

Function of Drama

Drama is one of the best literary forms through which dramatists can directly speak to their readers or the audience, and they can receive instant feedback from audiences. A few dramatists use their characters as a vehicle to convey their thoughts and values, such as poets do with personas , and novelists do with narrators . Since drama uses spoken words and dialogues, thus the language of characters plays a vital role, as it may give clues to their feelings, personalities, backgrounds, and change in feelings. In dramas the characters live out a story without any comments of the author, providing the audience a direct presentation of the characters’ life experiences.

Synonyms of Drama

The closest synonyms of drama are play, show, spectacle, dramatization, screenplay, stage, performance, theatrics, etc. It is mostly associated with a stage play, a theatre play, or a television play.

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Your Ultimate English Syllabus Learning Resource

Writing about Drama – Themes, Plots, and Characterization

By Waqas Sharif

Introduction to Drama

Drama is a genre of storytelling that is all about the art of human conflict and the complexities of human relationships. The themes that are commonly explored in the drama include love, betrayal, power, ambition, and family . The plot of a drama typically revolves around a central conflict or crisis that the characters must face. This crisis can be anything from a personal struggle to a global issue. The plot is driven by the characters’ reactions to this conflict and their attempts to resolve it. Characterization is a key element of drama, and the characters are often complex and multifaceted. They are shaped by their experiences and their relationships with other characters, and their actions and decisions drive the plot forward. In drama, the characters are often flawed and make mistakes, which can lead to tension and conflict. Overall, drama is a powerful and engaging form of storytelling that explores the complexities of the human experience.

Drama is a genre that has been around for centuries and continues to captivate audiences to this day. Drama is all about conflict, tension, and emotion, whether it’s on stage, in a book, or on screen. Some of the most famous examples of drama include Shakespeare’s plays such as Romeo and Juliet , Hamlet , and Macbeth . These plays are filled with complex characters, intense emotions, and tragic endings.

Another example of drama is Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire , which explores themes of desire, violence, and mental instability . In recent years, television dramas have become increasingly popular, with shows like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, and The Handmaid’s Tale all capturing the attention of audiences around the world.

These shows all feature complex characters, intense conflicts, and emotional storylines that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Whether it’s on stage, in a book, or on-screen, the drama continues to be a powerful and enduring genre that has stood the test of time.

Themes of Drama

Drama is a genre of literature that deals with serious and sometimes heavy subjects. It is often characterized by the portrayal of emotions and conflicts between characters with different backgrounds, beliefs, and values. Among the many themes explored in drama, love, power, betrayal, and redemption are some of the most common.

Love is a theme that has been at the center of many great plays, from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. In these plays, love takes many forms, from passionate and romantic to familial and platonic. Love can also be a source of conflict, as when two characters are in love with the same person, or when a character’s love is not reciprocated.

Power is another theme that is often explored in drama. This can take many forms, from political power to personal power and control. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, for example, the theme of power is central to the play’s plot and characters. Macbeth’s desire for power leads him to commit murder and ultimately leads to his own downfall.

Betrayal is a theme that can be found in many drama works. The betrayal can come in many forms from infidelity to disloyalty. One of the most well-known examples of betrayal is in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, where Brutus betrays his friend Caesar for the sake of the Roman Republic.

Redemption is a theme that deals with the possibility of making amends for past mistakes. An example of redemption can be found in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, where Blanche DuBois tries to redeem herself after her past mistakes and transgressions.

In short, drama is a rich and complex genre that explores a wide range of themes. Love, power, betrayal, and redemption are just a few of the many themes that can be found in this genre and they all provide an excellent opportunity for authors and playwrights to explore important human emotions and experiences.

Plots of Drama

In drama, the plot refers to the sequence of events that takes place in a story. It is the backbone of any dramatic work and gives direction to the story, moving it forward and creating suspense and tension. There are various types of plots in drama, including the linear plot, the nonlinear plot, the episodic plot, and the circular plot.

A linear plot follows a straight and chronological order of events, while a nonlinear plot jumps back and forth in time. An episodic plot is made up of separate incidents, while a circular plot ends where it begins. Examples of drama with different types of plots include “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare with a linear plot, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald with a circular plot, “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams with an episodic plot, and “Memento” by Christopher Nolan with a nonlinear plot. Understanding the different types of plots in drama helps to appreciate the storyline and how it affects the overall experience of the audience.

Characterization in Drama

Characterization is a technique used in drama to bring a character to life and make them more realistic and relatable to the audience. This involves creating a personality for the character, including their physical appearance, emotions, motivations, and behavior.

In drama, characters play a vital role in the plot and are used to convey the themes and messages of the play. There are many different types of characters in drama, each with their own unique traits and personalities. These characters can be classified into several categories such as the protagonist, antagonist, foil, and round and flat characters .

The protagonist is the main character of the play who drives the action forward, while the antagonist is the character who opposes the protagonist. Foil characters are those who contrast with the protagonist, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Round characters are those who are complex and multi-dimensional, while flat characters are more one-dimensional and lack depth. Shakespeare’s plays are a great example of the use of characterization in drama. For instance, in Hamlet, the protagonist Hamlet is complex and multi-dimensional while the antagonist Claudius is portrayed as selfish and manipulative. Horatio, a supporting character, is a foil to Hamlet and highlights his strengths and weaknesses.

Tragedy is a form of drama that deals with the suffering and eventual downfall of a central character. It typically involves a character who is in a position of power or prosperity, but through a tragic flaw or mistake, loses everything. There are several types of tragedy in drama including classical tragedy, modern tragedy, and revenge tragedy.

Classical tragedy, like the works of Shakespeare, is focused on the downfall of a noble character due to a tragic flaw or mistake. Modern tragedy, like the works of Arthur Miller, explores the tragic consequences of societal issues and pressures. Revenge tragedy, like the works of William Congreve, is focused on the pursuit of vengeance and the inevitable consequences that come with it. An example of classical tragedy is Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” while an example of modern tragedy is Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” An example of a revenge tragedy is William Congreve’s “The Mourning Bride.”

Comedy in writing about drama can be seen as a way to bring humor and levity to a serious or intense situation. There are several types of comedies in drama, such as farce, satire, and romantic comedy . Farce involves physical humor and exaggerated situations, while satire uses humor to criticize and point out flaws in society. Romantic comedy, as the name suggests, involves humorous situations in a romantic setting. An example of a farce in drama can be seen in William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” while a satire can be seen in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” “Much Ado About Nothing” is an example of a romantic comedy in drama. Comedy in drama can help break up tension and provide a moment of relief for the audience, while allowing the writer to explore deeper themes and ideas in a more lighthearted way.

Difference between comedy and Tragedy

Comedy and tragedy are two of the most popular genres of literature, film, and theater. While they both aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience, the two genres have several key differences.

The main difference between comedy and tragedy is the tone. Comedy is characterized by a light and humorous tone, while tragedy is characterized by a more serious and somber tone. Comedies are generally intended to make the audience laugh, while tragedies are intended to evoke feelings of sorrow and empathy.

Another key difference between the two genres is the type of conflict that is presented. Comedies often deal with conflicts that are ultimately resolved in a positive way, while tragedies deal with conflicts that end in a negative or tragic way. In a comedy, the protagonist typically triumphs over adversity and comes out on top, while in a tragedy, the protagonist often suffers a great loss or ultimate defeat.

Finally, the two genres also differ in terms of their subject matter and themes. Comedies often deal with everyday life and situations, while tragedies deal with more serious and weighty subjects such as death, love, and betrayal.

Examples of comedies include movies like “Bridesmaids” and TV shows like “The Office,” while examples of tragedies include plays like “Hamlet” and movies like “Schindler’s List.” In summary, the differences between comedy and tragedy lie in their tone, type of conflict presented, and subject matter.

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Mr. Waqas Sharif is an English Language Teaching (ELT) Professional, Trainer, and Course Instructor at a Public Sector Institute. He has more than ten years of Eng Language Teaching experience at the Graduate and Postgraduate level. His main interest is found in facilitating his students globally He wishes them to develop academic skills like Reading, Writing, and Communication mastery along with Basics of Functional Grammar, English Language, and Linguistics.

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Drama Essay Examples

Exploring the themes of knowledge and time in stoppard's 'arcadia'.

Arcadia, a play written by Tom Stoppard, is overwhelmed with futuristic thoughts and ideas that create intricate conflicts between characters. The leading difficulty is how the audience is forced to attempt to understand them. They have to try to grasp ideas from an array of...

The Analysis of Susan Glaspell's Play "Wastes of Time"

Susan Glaspell's play Wastes of time delineates the connection among married couples, with the dedication and loyalty basically in wedded life. As the play opens we see a presuming scene an untidy kitchen that reflects something fishy how the lady are being pushed in the...

The Theme of Justice in the Oresteia by Aeschylus

Throughout the trilogy, The Oresteia, there is a central theme of justice portrayed by Aeschylus. In each of the three plays, justice stems from the ancient guidelines but soon evolves into a more civil justice defined by Athena, with the intention to stop the people...

Comparsion of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and Its Film Adaptation by Ralph Fiennes

Although Ralph Fiennes’ film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus sticks largely to the facts as reported in the original story, it differs noticeably from Plutarch’s Life of Coriolanus in terms of how the play tends to compress some events in order to increase the dramatization. Furthermore,...

Analysis of the Main Themes in the Play Our Town

Our Town is a play that was first published in 1938, set in the early 1900s in Grover’s Corner, New Hampshire. It is centered around a small town of people who are very old-fashioned and set in their ways, going through life without appreciating it....

A Theme of Gender Equality in Trifles by Susan Glaspell

Marie Shear stated, “Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.” There are no truer words when it comes to the story portrayed in the short drama, Trifles, written by Susan Glaspell. This play emphasizes the gender roles placed onto women and illustrates the...

Analysis of the Character of Volumnia in Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

In Coriolanus, Volumnia is a strong, powerful mother who has raised the seemingly perfect soldier. She is constantly talking of the joys of war and how she hopes to see her son wounded. These wounds and the admiration that comes with them are a place...

The Issue of Patriarchy and Gender Inequality in Trifles

During the 20th century, women’s roles were limited marriage and motherhood, and housewives, which caused domestic dependency which resulted in daily lives being rules by patriarchy since men did not see them as equals. During the years leading up women’s suffrage in the United States,...

The Role of Gender in Trifles by Susan Glaspell

In Susan Glaspell’s short play Trifles, the reader is met with the ongoing case of John Wright’s murder. One moral that the play depicts is that women and men see things differently. According to the male characters, the women only care about issues that have...

Review of the Book the Mystery of Flight 2222 by Thomas Neviaser: the Story of Survival, Hunger and Fear

The Mystery of flight 2222 by Thomas Neviaser is a twisted book full of mystery, drama, and action. This book is very interesting and the story keeps surprising you with twists and turns. It’s a story about survival, hunger and fear. The interesting thing about...

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