elements of drama

Drama

is a form of literature written for performance. It includes

many of the literary devices and elements that we see in fictional texts,

but it is usually structured differently. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a

work of drama. Traditionally, there are two types – comedy and

tragedy.

Comedy

A is a story that ends happily. Modern audiences would classify a “comedy” as a funny story, but traditionally, these stories do not have to include humor to be considered comedic. Usually, comedies center around ordinary, working class people rather than nobility or royalty.

Tragedy

A is a drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin, extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances. Tragedies end unhappily for the main characters, and usually center around royalty or nobility.

Protagonist

A is a character around whom the story revolves. The protagonist is the main or most important character in the story. Some dramas include several protagonists, as you will see in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The protagonist is often confused with “the good guy” or “the hero,” but that is not always the case. The protagonist can be a villain, a hero, or an anti-hero.

Antagonist

The is a major character in the play whose ideas and/or values conflict with those of the protagonist. The antagonist is often confused with “the villain” or the “bad guy,” but that is not always the case. The antagonist in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, for example, is mischievous, but is not an evil characte

Dramatic irony

exists when there is a situation on stage that the audience knows about, but the characters in the drama are unaware of. This often adds humor or suspense for the audience.

Conflict

is the major source of tension within the drama. There are many ways in which authors bring a sense of conflict, and the most common types are man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. self.

Act

An is a major division within a play, much like a chapter is a division in a novel. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is written in five acts

Scene

A is a further division within an act

Aside

As is when words are spoken by a character directly the audience, which the other characters on stage do not hear. It is usually used to give the audience more information about a situation in the play or the thought process of a character. 

Monologue

A is a speech given by one character to another or by one character to the audience. 

Dialogue

A is a conversation between two or more characters on stage. 

Pun

A is a play on words, often on those that sound alike.