Elements & Structure of Drama

Characters

• Narrator: Person narrating the story, can be third person or from a character.

  • Narrator sets the tone and provides insight into the story.

• Protagonist: Main character who drives the action.

• Antagonist: Rival to the protagonist, often the villain.

• Foil: Character whose traits contrast with another character to emphasize differences.

• Confidant: Character who lends an ear and gives input to the protagonist.

• Stock characters: Stereotypical characters with shared traits and roles.

Dialogue

• Dialogue: Exchange between characters.

• Aside: Character speaks to another character or audience, not heard by others on stage.

• Monologue: Long speech by one actor to themselves, audience, or another character.

Plot

Exposition

• Important background information for the audience.

• Past actions of characters before the play's opening scenes.

Point of Attack / Inciting Incident

• Main action where complications are introduced.

• Leads to rising action and sets the plot in motion.

Rising Action

• Section from point of attack to the climax.

• Builds suspense and intensity in the audience.

Climax

• Highest level of dramatic intensity.

• Major questions are answered, mysteries unraveled, and culprits revealed.

Falling Action

• Events following the climax where conflicts are resolved.

Resolution

• Conflict resolution, answering questions raised earlier in the play.

Denouement

• Conclusion where conflicts are resolved, motives are clear, and final details are straightened out.

Setting

• Setting: Influences the events in the play.

• Visual components: Include lighting, costumes, props to create the mood.

• Shifts in time and space: Indicated by actors through speech and movements.

Stage Directions

• Audience reaction: Prompted by movements and positions of actors.

• Purpose: Build tension, trigger laughter, shift focus.

• Description: Appearance, actions of characters, sets, costumes, props, sound effects, lighting effects.

• Importance: Helps understand character feelings and story mood.

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• Theme in Drama

  • Theme explains the main idea within the story.

  • Described as the soul of the drama.

  • Can be clearly stated or inferred from the performance.

  • Plot and theme should complement each other in drama.

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• Play Title

  • "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" by William Shakespeare.

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• Setting of the Play

  • Time and place are crucial in setting the stage for the story.

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• Setting Details

  • Time: Midsummer.

  • Place: Ancient Athens and a wood nearby.

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• Characters

  • List of characters including Theseus, Hippolyta, Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, Helena, Egeus, Oberon, Titania, Puck, Peaseblossom, and Cobweb.

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• Protagonist

  • Hermia, Lysander, and Helena are the main protagonists in the play.

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• Antagonist

  • Egeus is identified as the villainous antagonist in the play.

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• Egeus as an Antagonist

  • Egeus treats Hermia like property and opposes her desire to marry Lysander.

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• Theseus as an Antagonist

  • Theseus initially supports Egeus and poses obstacles to Hermia and Lysander's happiness.

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• Demetrius

  • Demetrius is a main character seeking romantic happiness but displays antagonistic and unreliable behavior.

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• Puck

  • Puck is a significant character in the play, setting events in motion with his magic and mischievous actions.

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• Exposition

  • Introduction of key characters and their relationships and conflicts.

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• Inciting Incident

  • Hermia's father orders her to marry Demetrius, leading to Hermia and Lysander deciding to run away.

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• Rising Action

  • Oberon and Puck's actions with magic nectar and love spells create confusion among the lovers.

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• Climax

  • The four lovers get into a huge fight, utterly confused by the enchantments.

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• Falling Action

  • Puck reverses enchantments, lovers are found,