10 Drama 2

Transmission of information

In drama, information is transmitted through verbal and non-verbal codes such as dialogue, gestures, lighting, and staging

Functions of verbal communication

Advance the plot, introduce characters, time, place, and build the fictional world

Exposition

Provides background information about time, place, and characters before the main action begins; e.g. Macbeth Act 1 Scene 2, where the Captain recounts Macbeth's valor and the battle context

Dramatic introduction

Often non-verbal opening that creates atmosphere and captures audience attention; e.g. Macbeth Act 1 Scene 1, where the witches establish a dark, mysterious tone

Initial exposition

All expository information is presented at once in an isolated section at the beginning

Integrated exposition

Expository information is revealed gradually and embedded into the ongoing action

Dialogue

A spoken exchange between two or more characters; the core structural element of most drama

Dialogue analysis criteria

Length of utterances, distribution of contributions, frequency of speaker role change, timing, and logical coherence

Functions of dialogue

Drives plot, develops character, presents conflict, clarifies opinions, and reveals themes

Wit

Sophisticated, clever verbal exchange often involving metaphors, paradoxes, and rhetorical flourishes

Comedy of manners

A genre marked by witty dialogue and satirical portrayal of social norms, common from the Restoration period onward

Monological speech

A character speaks at length to themselves, the audience, or others; includes both monologue and soliloquy

Monologue

A character speaks at length while others are present, expressing personal views or narrating events

Soliloquy

A character speaks alone on stage or as if alone, revealing inner thoughts and feelings

Functions of monologues and soliloquies

Provide background, comment on events, express emotion, introduce characters, and build expectations

Difference between monologue and soliloquy

Monologue is spoken with others present; soliloquy is delivered while alone or as if alone

Difference between dialogue and monologic speech

Dialogue is interactive; monologic speech is introspective, longer, and theme-focused

Aside

A brief remark revealing a character’s thoughts to the audience while other characters remain unaware

Monological aside

A single character voices a thought directly to the audience (stage direction: “aside”)

Dialogical aside

A conspiratorial conversation between characters that others on stage do not hear

Aside ad spectatores

A character directly addresses the audience with a comment (stage direction: “addressing audience”)

Discrepant awareness

The audience knows more or less than the characters, creating tension or irony

Congruent awareness

The audience and the characters share the same level of knowledge

Dramatic irony

When the audience’s superior knowledge gives unintended meaning to a character’s actions or words

Difference between dramatic and verbal irony

Dramatic irony involves audience knowledge; verbal irony involves a speaker saying the opposite of what they mean