Drama in literature - Research Paper Example

Literary elements have always become part of dramatic creation without which, the play in its plot and structure might fail to indicate which part requires certain thought or feelings in response by the audience. At times, overcoming dullness by allowing figurative devices develop the theme or the major points helps form much appeal and appreciation towards the real significance of the overall creative work by the playwright.(1) What are the important elements of drama? According to Aristotle, there are six elements of drama namely theme, plot, character, dialogue, music, and visual element.

The central idea of a drama or its theme is manifested through dialogue or action in the play or something which can be determined at the end of the entire show. Plot, as another significant element, pertains to the logical sequence of events within which distinct characters are connected. While the plot establishes the integral part of the play, the characters convey how plot should communicate the meaning or essence of drama, especially the theme being endorsed, to the target audience (Elements of Drama).

Music which consists in the background score through songs and the sound effects the rhythm and melodious content of which serve as an ingredient element to enhance the quality of presentation, functions with the dialogue to stimulate further the intellect and sentiment of the viewers. Since drama is intended to be seen and heard at the same time, audio-visual aspects collaborate such that the visual element in costumes, props, and other visual effects make up the chief component that measures the extent to which the play is appealing to the each watcher (Elements of Drama).(2) How do the characters and setting/staging of a play help develop the drama and theme?

For the characters to develop the theme in drama, the actors playing distinct roles as such ought to assume them in a manner that displays realistic motives, thoughts and actions. As protagonist or the main character is met by the antagonist, there is in conflict a discovery of epiphany or revelation or anagnorisis, a truth signified through the pertinent acts being carried by the characters. On the other hand, the dimension, the type of atmosphere or setting in which the author or playwright locates the plot is showcased through differing background or physical environment to coincide with the progress of action.

The setting includes lighting, paraphernalia as props, and gestures or movements that might contribute to animate and bring the play to achieve the life which is expected to flow with the drama and theme under development (Drama Guidelines). (3) How does style and tone develop a play? Essentially, the play is developed to build around its subject matter with the presence of attitude in the tone spread among the events and the characters on execution. A tone may vary from one act on to the next depending on the substance of a portion in a play which for which social and emotional aspects necessitate being perceived on a range of intensity.

Similarly, the rhythm through sentence patterns, word usage or author’s choice of diction, as well as utilization of imageries and other figures of speech all provide the audience a direction and understanding of what is to take place next, event after event. Since both tone and style are substantial to the plot, they signify each part of the plot as being unique and situated at an appropriate order, helping the viewer watch with spectacle as the play goes (Elements of Fiction).(4) What is the plot and structure of the play?

Like a framework of happenings, plot is a device that usually has a beginning, middle, and an ending. The playwright may find it crucial for instance to detail a recollection of an event to aid the audience in comprehending a complex idea behind the character’s action which in the middle part, blends with a dramatic tension or conflict that would later seek resolution after climax has been achieved. Equivalently, the structure of a play, like a plot, refers to an aspect of the narrative composed of three things – the manner by which the events of the story are arranged by the writer, the logic placed to connect events and spark a watcher’s interest and yearning for the next set of actions, and the several devices which the author prefer to capture the attention of his audience or readers (Hunt, 2006).

ReferencesElements of Drama. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/elements-of-drama.html. Drama Guidelines. Retrieved from http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~tknier/drama_guides.htm. Hunt, Ryan (2006). Plot and Structure in Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Retrieved from http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/wilde/hunt1.html. Elements of Fiction. Retrieved from http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/virtualit/fiction/elements.asp?e=5.