The Elements and the Origin of Drama

Prepared bySarah Abdulrahman

ContentsAimsIntroductionWhat is meant by drama?The origin of dramaMedieval drama in English literatureTypes of dramaConclusion

At the end of the lecture students will be able to:Define drama

Show the origin of drama

Explain how drama started in English literature

Identify miracle and morality plays

Discuss the types of drama

Introduction:At the beginning of studying any literary

type, we should know its definition, origin, development and its types. So that in this lecture we are going to explain the definition of drama, its origin, development and types.

What is meant by drama?

Drama: it is a specific mode of narrative,

typically fictional, presented by characters on a

stage.

A traditional play is divided into acts and

scenes.

Characters: people acting in a play are referred to as

characters. They are fictional devices.

Hero (protagonist): the hero is the central character in the

play. The term hero does not mean a noble or brave. A

hero may be good or evil, low or high born.

Anti-hero (antagonist): he is a villain opposing the hero.

The Origin of Drama The origin of drama is the Greek

drama which belongs to six hundred years BC.

It mainly dealt with peoples’ relationships with the Greek gods such as Zeus, Apollo and Aphrodite.

The most famous playwright in Greek drama is Sophocles. His play Oedipus Rex is one of the most important sources for dramatist in the world.

In English literature, the origin of drama is religion. Drama is said to be born in the cradle of the church.

Medieval Drama in English LiteratureMedieval drama: there are two kinds of

medieval drama: Medieval Drama

miracles moralities

Miracle plays(14th C.): they are acted by priests on a stage inside the church and their stories are taken from The Bible.

They focus on the Christian history such as the story of the fall of Adam and Eve or the birth of Christ and they form a part of a series of plays named after the town they were performed: York, Chester… .

They show the gap between gods divine order and the violent and wrong actions of the characters for example, in The Crucifixion we see the contrast between Christ's silent suffering and obedience to God and the noisy actions of soldiers who are trying to nail him.

.

Morality plays (15th C.): they are acted by common people on a wagon outside the church in the street.

They focus on the moral dilemmas that confront mankind. The centre of morality plays is always a male as he journeys from birth to death illustrating an abstract moral lesson.

Everyman is the most famous morality play.

God instructs Death to tell the hero he must die. Everyman looks for someone to accompany him but only Good Deeds will do so.

The moral lesson of the play is that every one should be prepared for death and look to his good deeds but what strikes us most is the confusion and panic of Everyman.

Types of Drama Types of Drama

Tragedy Comedy

Tragedy: it is a kind of drama that presents a series subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events in a dignified manner. It often ends with death.

At the beginning of a tragic play an action takes place that destroys the social concord and causes more violent elements.

There is an alternation in the existing social order which leads to the destruction of human life.

It asks about the nature of existence if the social bonds are broken.

The most violent and vicious self

interest becomes dominant.

The worst face of human beings is

exposed. Our human capacity for

destruction is allowed full reign.

It provokes pity at the plight of

human beings.

Comedy: it is a kind of drama that is light and often humorous or satirical in tone and that usually contains a happy resolution of the thematic conflict.

In comedy the disorder that threatens

characters lives and social concord is

overcome and it ends with marriage or

dance which are the traditional signs of

harmony and order in the society.

Comedy laughs at the folly of people in

the society.

Conclusion:Drama is a type of narrative represented

by characters on a stage.

It started in Greek literature six hundred years BC.

In English literature, it was born in the cradle of the church.

Miracle plays are plays represented by priest inside

the church. Their themes are taken from The Bible.

Morality plays are plays represented by actors on a wagon in the street. Their themes are taken from everyday life.

Drama is divided into two kinds. These are comedy and tragedy.