Sec 1 Express

The Elements of Drama

Have an understanding of the 5 elements of drama

Recall ‘The Dentist’ and be able to make connections between what you learn today, and what you have read

Be able to use these 5 elements to develop a deeper understanding of A Villa on Venus and Zeep!

By the end of today’s lesson, you should

There are many possible definitions of drama:

Ancient Greek word meaning ‘act’ or ‘deed’

But wait, what exactly is drama?

An ancient art form with origins that are

beyond human record.

It may have developed out of important rituals having to do with:

• Sewing and reaping crops

• Fertility rituals

• Burial rituals

But what we are mainly interested in is drama in the classroom:

So, for us,

1. Drama is a genre of literature.

(Genre: a particular type or form)

2. Its basic medium is spoken language.

(Medium: the material or technique an artist works with.)

Drama shows human actions in such a way that we gain a deeper understanding of the human

experience (what it means to be human)

1. P_____t2. C________t3. S_______g4. C__________r5. Th_______

Elements of drama1. Plot2. Conflict3. Setting4. Character5. Theme

Sequence of events that makes up the whole story

Structure:

Plot

Resolution

Characters and setting are introduced

Conflict starts to develop

Main struggle between ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Often contains most of the action

Loose ends are tied up. Action slows down

All mystery is solved, things go back to normal

Exposition

Ris

ing

Act

ion

Climax

Falling Action

Identify the 5 parts of a typical play in ‘The Dentist’

Look at the middle section of the play in particular – what events and actions make it exciting?

Dentist hits man with hammerDentist reveals that it is his first time

extracting teethWoman starts to lose itMan and woman run away!

Plot in ‘The Dentist’

Main struggle between two opposing forces

Two main types:Internal ConflictExternal Conflict

Conflict

Internal ConflictStruggles the character faces within himself

External ConflictConflict that occurs between characters

External Conflict

When do we see characters clashing with one another?

Clue: Look out for moments of disagreement, characters getting upset, verbal/physical fights

Conflict in ‘The Dentist’

• Refers to the time and place the play is set in• e.g. Environment (physical characteristics of

the surrounding) in which characters live• Where the action takes place!

• Starts with being just a physical location with identifiable qualities

• But can often reveal insights about characters and their relationships

Setting

Setting in ‘The dentist’

• We will analyse setting in greater depth in Zeep!

CharacterWe can learn about characters in many

ways, including:

Physical traitsActionsPerspectivesOpinions

CharacterPhysical traits:

What does the character look like?

HairFacial expressionsClothingAccessories

Character

Actions:

What does the character do in the story?E.g. The ‘Dentist’ and all his “crazy” actions

Character

Perspectives:

What does the character say in the story?

How does he say it?Analyse the diction (choice of words)

Imagine his tone of voice – Angry? Happy? Hesitant?

Any words that are repeated in his speech?

CharacterOpinions:

What do other characters say or think about the character?

Is this true based on evidence from the rest of the play?

Remember that thoughts and emotions are revealed in characters’ speech

Recall the Man and Woman’s judgment of the character of the ‘Dentist’ (“He’s absolutely crazy, completely mad”)

CharacterOpinions:

Are characters being sincere? Do they really mean what they say about each other?

Sometimes straightforward, but other times you have to ‘read between the lines’

Character Protagonist:

Main characterStory revolves around his

experiencesWe usually identify, empathise

with him

Who is this in ‘The Dentist’?

Character Antagonist:

Main character who deceives, frustrates, opposes, or works against the protagonist

The main ‘enemy’

The central idea or messageCould be a comment on human valuesOr an interpretation of lifeThere can be more than one theme in a

drama, although this usually depends on the length of the play

Theme

Reflection on ‘The Dentist’In your Literature exercise books, copy this

question down:

What did you like/dislike about the plot OR characters in the play ‘The Dentist‘?

Choose either PLOT or CHARACTERAnswer with at least 3 reasons, in complete

sentencesEach reason should include a term or

concept you have learnt from today’s lesson