Characteristics of Drama
Four parts of literary genre are fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama. Out of the four only drama is acted
on a stage and the flow of the story depends on the action and dialogue carried out and spoken by the
live actors. Ancient Greeks were masters in writing and enacting drama on the stage. Strangely, there
were no actresses and young boys played the role of women on the stage. It would be difficult to
appreciate characteristics of a drama without learning in depth about the main elements of the drama.
The features of a drama though differ in importance from play to play have a common thread as well.
Characteristics of Drama
Four parts of literary genre are fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama. Out of the four only drama is acted
on a stage and the flow of the story depends on the action and dialogue carried out and spoken by the
live actors. Ancient Greeks were masters in writing and enacting drama on the stage. Strangely, there
were no actresses and young boys played the role of women on the stage. It would be difficult to
appreciate characteristics of a drama without learning in depth about the main elements of the drama.
The features of a drama though differ in importance from play to play have a common thread as well.
The literary elements of drama are:
1. Characters
2. Dialogue
3. Plot
4. Setting
5. Stage Directions
6. Theme
1. The place of Characters in a play:
characteristics of drama
A play revolves round the characters in the drama, characters in a play a crucial role that makes a play
good or bad. There are many categories of characters.
1) Major characters are important to the narration of a play, e.g. Hamlet in the play of the same name
2) Flat characters are only minor characters and generally have one or two traits. They are used as a
contrast to the main character.
3) Round: A round character has many traits, but the audience see only side and a round character
can grow or change in the duration of a play.
4) Minor: These are a necessity in a play, but their roles are no very important, for are used to
reinforce the importance of main character or form a background to action taking place.
There are different kinds of characters
Protagonist: Protagonist plays a central role in the drama and sets the sequence action into motion. For
example, the protagonist in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is also called Macbeth and the whole action
revolves round him.
Antagonist: Antagonist is an antihero or a bad character who opposes the protagonist. Iago in
Shakespeare’s play Othello is a typical antagonist who opposes the protagonist all the time.
Foil: A foil is a unique character in the drama, his personal characteristics are in stark contrast with
other characters, usually protagonist and form a background against which we come to know more
about the characteristics of the other players. In Shakespeare’s drama Julius Caesar, Cassius is the foil to
Caesar.
Confidant: A confidant in a drama is usually a friend or an old servant who listens to the protagonist and
gives him suitable advice. Confidant is also a means of revealing the thoughts and intended actions of
the protagonist to the viewers, but not to other actors in the drama.
Stock characters: These characters play a very light role as group members, who displays a particular
kind of trait and appear multiple times in the drama.
Example: A joker or a serving person.
2. Dialogues are means to convey feelings or action : Dialogues are spoken by the actors in a drama and
are main vehicle to convey feelings and personalities of the characters. Writers take great care to write
dialogues to suit the action and the part played by a specific character. Unlike other visual genre where
other means are available to the writer, dialogues in a play are used to portray the true nature of a
particular character because there is a limited space in a play for action. They also help in the forward
movement of a plot.
There are many types of dialogues:
1) Dialogues spoken within a group or between two people
2) Soliloquy, which is a sort of monologue by a single character to show his feelings and thoughts.
3) Sometimes characters speak directly to the members of the audience excluding the other
individuals who are present at the time in the play. This type of dialogue is called ‘Aside.’
3. The Plot : The storyline or a plot is the device that helps in the narration of a story. The plot unravels
in a sequential order; usually the main characters are introduced first to make the audience to become
aware and anticipate the way the story is going to develop. Next comes the conflict; this is the most
crucial part of a play as it shows how the characters face the difficulties. Resolution of a conflict in a play
is known as the climax.
The main parts of a plot are:
1) Introduction
2) Conflict
3) Resolution of the conflict or climax.
4. The setting : Unlike other genre setting plays a very limited part in a drama because due to logistical
difficulties it is difficult to show to the audience the place where the action is taking. Usually the setting
is usually a painted backdrop or subtle lightings to depict the night, day or seasons. Passing of time is
shown by the change in the appearance of the characters; they walk with slow steps or display grey hair
to portray old age. Different types of costumes are used as s setting to show profession of characters.
Sometimes items are used to portray a particular time in history or life of the character. These are called
props. Setting is also the first thing the audience notices and it is generally used to create a specific
atmosphere.
5. Stage directions : The author of a play uses stage directions for various purposes. On one hand they
are used to guide the movements of the characters, the use of props on the stage, on the other hand
they are used to create a certain atmosphere during the play. Stage directions also help the audience to
understand what is happening. The writer sometimes, embeds the stage direction, often in brackets,
giving direction to the acts how to move or use props. The writer also gives directions to the actors
display a particular body language to convey a particular feeling, enter and exit to create the mood.
Example: In Shakespeare’s play King Lear lays his on the sword to show anger when he speaks this
dialogue, “O, vassal! Miscreant!”
6. Theme is message in the play : Theme is the main idea of the play. It is the message that the writer is
trying to convey to the audience. Sometimes the theme is universal and timeless, for example some of
the themes conveyed in Shakespeare’s plays are universal, good, and evil, love of power, hate, or
jealousy. These themes are repeated again in many genres. Theme and plot are two elements that are
inter-twined and need to correlate with one other.
Generally themes revolve round three types of conflict:
1. between two people
2. between a human and super power like God and destiny
3. between individual and his inner being or conscience
Structure
Drama throughout the ages has followed the structure laid down by the ancient Greeks. Eventually,
traditional drama was divided into five distinct parts in the Sixteenth Century based on the Greek
structure. These five segments are introduction or exposition, ‘rising action, climax, falling action,’ and
conclusion or denouement.
Introduction /exposition: The theme, the plot and the characters of a play are generally introduced in
the exposition (introduction). The type of conflict is sometimes also introduced in the beginning of the
play. The key to the action that is likely to follow are shown in the glimpses of the past of a character or
the conflict faced by many characters.
‘Rising action’: Rising action characterizes the movement of the plot into conflicts or introduction of a
number of minor plots. In this part the writer tries to create several feelings in the audience, some
apprehension and a desire to watch what is likely to come next and perception of high anticipation.
‘Climax’: The climax is most intense part of a play. It is very intensive, interesting and is the pinnacle of
dramatic display. It is the point where the action becomes inevitable, and the play takes a decisive turn,
becomes either a comedy or a tragedy.
‘Falling Action’: The fourth segment shows the play is heading towards conclusion, conflicts are settled,
action is decisive and it becomes apparent that the play is going to end soon.
Conclusion: Conclusion is also called denouement. It is final stage of the drama, things come to an end
all difficulties are resolved, problems/conflicts are solved, and one can discern easily whether the play is
a comedy or a tragedy.
1. Characters
2. Dialogue
3. Plot
4. Setting
5. Stage Directions
6. Theme
There are different kinds of characters
Protagonist: Protagonist plays a central role in the drama and sets the sequence action into motion. For
example, the protagonist in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is also called Macbeth and the whole action
revolves round him.
Antagonist: Antagonist is an antihero or a bad character who opposes the protagonist. Iago in
Shakespeare’s play Othello is a typical antagonist who opposes the protagonist all the time.
Foil: A foil is a unique character in the drama, his personal characteristics are in stark contrast with
other characters, usually protagonist and form a background against which we come to know more
about the characteristics of the other players. In Shakespeare’s drama Julius Caesar, Cassius is the foil to
Caesar.
Confidant: A confidant in a drama is usually a friend or an old servant who listens to the protagonist and
gives him suitable advice. Confidant is also a means of revealing the thoughts and intended actions of
the protagonist to the viewers, but not to other actors in the drama.
Stock characters: These characters play a very light role as group members, who displays a particular
kind of trait and appear multiple times in the drama.
Example: A joker or a serving person.
2. Dialogues are means to convey feelings or action : Dialogues are spoken by the actors in a drama and
are main vehicle to convey feelings and personalities of the characters. Writers take great care to write
dialogues to suit the action and the part played by a specific character. Unlike other visual genre where
other means are available to the writer, dialogues in a play are used to portray the true nature of a
particular character because there is a limited space in a play for action. They also help in the forward
movement of a plot.
There are many types of dialogues:
1) Dialogues spoken within a group or between two people
2) Soliloquy, which is a sort of monologue by a single character to show his feelings and thoughts.
3) Sometimes characters speak directly to the members of the audience excluding the other
individuals who are present at the time in the play. This type of dialogue is called ‘Aside.’
3. The Plot : The storyline or a plot is the device that helps in the narration of a story. The plot unravels
in a sequential order; usually the main characters are introduced first to make the audience to become
aware and anticipate the way the story is going to develop. Next comes the conflict; this is the most
crucial part of a play as it shows how the characters face the difficulties. Resolution of a conflict in a play
is known as the climax.
The main parts of a plot are:
1) Introduction
2) Conflict
3) Resolution of the conflict or climax.
4. The setting : Unlike other genre setting plays a very limited part in a drama because due to logistical
difficulties it is difficult to show to the audience the place where the action is taking. Usually the setting
is usually a painted backdrop or subtle lightings to depict the night, day or seasons. Passing of time is
shown by the change in the appearance of the characters; they walk with slow steps or display grey hair
to portray old age. Different types of costumes are used as s setting to show profession of characters.
Sometimes items are used to portray a particular time in history or life of the character. These are called
props. Setting is also the first thing the audience notices and it is generally used to create a specific
atmosphere.
5. Stage directions : The author of a play uses stage directions for various purposes. On one hand they
are used to guide the movements of the characters, the use of props on the stage, on the other hand
they are used to create a certain atmosphere during the play. Stage directions also help the audience to
understand what is happening. The writer sometimes, embeds the stage direction, often in brackets,
giving direction to the acts how to move or use props. The writer also gives directions to the actors
display a particular body language to convey a particular feeling, enter and exit to create the mood.
Example: In Shakespeare’s play King Lear lays his on the sword to show anger when he speaks this
dialogue, “O, vassal! Miscreant!”
6. Theme is message in the play : Theme is the main idea of the play. It is the message that the writer is
trying to convey to the audience. Sometimes the theme is universal and timeless, for example some of
the themes conveyed in Shakespeare’s plays are universal, good, and evil, love of power, hate, or
jealousy. These themes are repeated again in many genres. Theme and plot are two elements that are
inter-twined and need to correlate with one other.
Generally themes revolve round three types of conflict:
1. between two people
2. between a human and super power like God and destiny
3. between individual and his inner being or conscience
Structure
Drama throughout the ages has followed the structure laid down by the ancient Greeks. Eventually,
traditional drama was divided into five distinct parts in the Sixteenth Century based on the Greek
structure. These five segments are introduction or exposition, ‘rising action, climax, falling action,’ and
conclusion or denouement.
Introduction /exposition: The theme, the plot and the characters of a play are generally introduced in
the exposition (introduction). The type of conflict is sometimes also introduced in the beginning of the
play. The key to the action that is likely to follow are shown in the glimpses of the past of a character or
the conflict faced by many characters.
‘Rising action’: Rising action characterizes the movement of the plot into conflicts or introduction of a
number of minor plots. In this part the writer tries to create several feelings in the audience, some
apprehension and a desire to watch what is likely to come next and perception of high anticipation.
‘Climax’: The climax is most intense part of a play. It is very intensive, interesting and is the pinnacle of
dramatic display. It is the point where the action becomes inevitable, and the play takes a decisive turn,
becomes either a comedy or a tragedy.
‘Falling Action’: The fourth segment shows the play is heading towards conclusion, conflicts are settled,
action is decisive and it becomes apparent that the play is going to end soon.
Conclusion: Conclusion is also called denouement. It is final stage of the drama, things come to an end
all difficulties are resolved, problems/conflicts are solved, and one can discern easily whether the play is
a comedy or a tragedy.
elements of drama
Drama is created and shaped by the elements of drama which, for the Drama ATAR course, are listed as:
role, character and relationships, situation, voice, movement, space and time, language and texts,
symbol and metaphor, mood and atmosphere, audience and dramatic tension.
atmosphere: the interaction between the audience and the mood of a drama performance.
character: a person or individual in the drama that may have defined personal qualities and/or histories.
Flat characters (or two dimensional characters) demonstrate a lack of depth or change in the course of a
drama event. Rounded characters (or three dimensional characters) feature more elaborate and
complex traits and histories and are changed by dramatic action in the drama event.
dramatic tension: drives the drama and keeps an audience interested. The tension comes when
opposing characters, dramatic action, ideas, attitudes, values, emotions and desires are in conflict
creating a problem that needs to be resolved (or unresolved) through drama.
language and texts: referring to the use of spoken or written words that observe particular conventions
and language registers that communicate ideas, feelings and other associations. Texts refer to the use of
published texts, online materials and other compositions the reference of which adds meaning to the
drama.
metaphor: creating an image or idea of one thing by saying it is something else. For example, ‘He is a
lion of a man.’ In drama, the use of metaphor can be more subtle such as a metaphor of a mouse
created through a character having a squeaky voice and small darting movements. Design and stylistic
elements can also be metaphors for characterisation or provide meaning in terms of theme.
mood: describes the feelings and attitudes, often combined of the roles or characters involved in
dramatic action often supported by other Elements of Drama as well as design elements. The mood is
the emotional impact intended by the playwright, director and/or other members of the creative team.
relationships: refers to the qualities of the connection between two or more characters or roles. That
relationship may be fixed (largely unchanged by the dramatic action) or variable (challenged or changed
by the dramatic action). The relationship may be cooperative (as in a friendship), adversarial (as in
enemies), neutral (neither positive nor negative) or non-existent (as in total strangers). Those
relationships will be defined by shared interests, common objectives, cultural values and/or human
need.
role: a performer can present in performance a role that represents an abstract concept, stereotyped
figure, or person reduced to a particular dominant trait (occupation, human condition or social vocation)
that lacks depth or a backstory normally present in a ‘Character’.
situation: the condition or circumstances in which a character or characters are presented often at the
opening of a performance.
space: the place where dramatic action is situated and the qualities of that place including temperature,
features, light levels, population levels and other environmental factors that may be presented to or
imagined by the characters/audience.
symbol: symbolic parts of the scenography or design represent and add further meaning to themes,
narrative, emotion, mood and atmosphere. Different colours are symbolic. Other symbols might be
found in a sound effect, music, style, images. Some symbols are literal while others infer meaning.
time: both the time of day, time of the year and time in history or the future. Time also reflects changes
in time within a scene or drama event. Time also refers to the flow of time over the length of a drama
event: fragmented time, cyclical time, linear time and so forth.
