Elements of Drama

The six Aristotelian elements of drama are,
Plot
Characters
Thought
Melody
Diction
Spectacle

Aristotle (384-322 BC) - Greek philosopher and scientist.
Aristotle’s Poetics is the earliest surviving work of dramatic theory

01 - Plot
Plot is the series of events that take place in a play.
Sequential
Logical
Chronological

Plot and Sub-plot
•“the sub plot serves to broaden
our perspective on the main plot and to enhance rather than diffuse the overall effects”

Aristotle divides plot into two –and simple complex plots.

Unity of plot
A plot must have a beginning, middle and an end.
Six stages in a plot
•Constructed in such a way that if any part is displaced or deleted, the whole plot is disturbed and dislocated.

02 - Characters
Drama deals with people or characters and their actions.
•Characters may be Humans as well as non humans like animals or supernatural figures.

Characters in drama can be classified as:
•Major
•Minor
•Protagonist.
•Antagonist

03 - Thought
The central idea or theme of the play
Themes can be based on:
Conflict between two individuals
Conflict between man and a supernatural power
Conflict between the man and himself.

04 - Diction
•The language includes the style, dialect, rhythm and the words used by the characters.
Diction is judged
•Characters
•Situation,
•Type of play.

05 - Melody
•Means music and dance ; refers to the role of chorus
•Elements of pitch, stress, volume, tempo, duration, and quality

06 - Spectacle
•All the visual elements, lighting, setting, makeup, costumes, and props
• The reader of a script must try to envision the spectacle in order to grasp a play’s full power.

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