“Drama is a living art”(Gardner, Lawn, Ridl & Schakel, 2009, p. 1248) and like any other piece of imaginative literature, consists of several fundamental elements. Character, plot, setting, structure, diction, spectacle, melody, and convention are a list of some of these of elements. All of these elements correlate and work to develop the theme of the play. The theme refers to what the play itself means, which can sometimes be clearly evident in the play’s title, however it can be expressed through the dialogue or diction of one the characters. Therefore, it is important to identify each of the elements in order to conceptualize the underlying meaning of the play.
The plot is generally the order of events within the play. Most plots within a drama series follow a linear structure of rising action, climax, and falling action to resolution. From this sequence the audience is shown the series of events through different acts and scenes. The convention of the play is the starting focal point. Everything that is introduced in the beginning is generally supposed to prepare the audience up for what is to come later (cause and effect). Sometimes there is a flashback that is introduced in order to help the reader or audience understand what the character is thinking or referencing, which gives more meaning to what motivates their actions. The way the plot’s dramatic structure is presented provides an instrument for the playwright to further explore the theme.
The plot of the play also consists of both major and minor characters. It is through the relationships with each of the characters that allow the audience to get a better understanding of the playwright’s message. The diction or dialogue of the characters gives an in-depth insight to their psychological background by bringing them to life. “Different characters will have different ways of speaking, and these will tell us a good deal about their character and personality” (Gardner, Lawn, Ridl & Schakel, 2009, p. 1249). The dialogue of the characters is one of the most important aspects that contribute to the other elements because “the words must propose and substantiate the play’s meaning” (Styan, 1960, p. 14).
The spectacle of a play refers to what the audience sees onstage such as the costumes, makeup, lighting, backdrop or setting, character movements and other actions. Being able to have or imagine the visual concepts helps to provide the audience or reader with additional clues to the play’s theme. The style is the way the play is written or dramatized in order for the dialogue or diction to be fully expressed. The style also includes the tone or melody, from these elements the audience or reader can determine the point of view and convey the perspective and attitudes of the characters within the drama.
References
Gardner, J., Lawn, B., Ridl, J., Schakel, P., (2009). Literature: A Portable Anthology, Second
Editon. New York : Bedford/ St. Martin’s.
Styan, J., (1960). The elements of drama. London: Cambridge University Press.
Kimona Brown - "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." - Rumi
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