Elements of Drama

Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) was

a Greek philosopher who was a
student of Plato’s and a teacher
to Alexander the Great.

His writings had a significant

impact on Medieval thought and
his views of physics was
accepted up until the discoveries
of Isaac Newton.

In his famous work on Tragedy,

The Poetics, he argued that one of
man’s greatest attributes was his
ability to Imitate.
It is believed that The Poetics was comprised of two parts – one on
Comedy and one on Tragedy. Only the part on Tragedy survives.

Aristotle believed that Comedy dealt with characters who were worse
than the average person in order to elucidate the Ridiculous in society.

He believed that Tragedy dealt with characters who were better and
more noble than the average person. This noble person’s “fall” or ruin
would induce in the audience pity and fear…this process is called
Catharsis. He uses Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” to illustrate his points.

Aristotle’s most profound influence on theatre is his belief that “action”

was the most important aspect of a play…even above “character.”

He defined 6 Elements of Drama

The Abstract ideas and feelings that
the audience experiences while
watching the dramatic action.

What the play “means” versus what

happens.
What happens opposed to what the play “means.”

A pattern of events that are all connected by some sense of

unity and clarity and which unfold in a sequence of cause and
effect.

The process by which the conflict between the characters is

established, explored and ultimately resolved.

Plot has several components: Exposition, Inciting Incident

(initial entanglement), rising action, climax, falling action,
resolution.
Individual persons involved in the plot…each
should be defined by the established and inferred
given circumstances: age, appearance, socio
economic level, beliefs, etc…

Aristotle emphasized that the characters should

always be engaged in “action”…what we would
call the pursuit of achieving an objective.
The playwright and actor’s ability to craft a
specific and individual “voice” for each
character.

A “voice” is composed of word choice, style,

content, tone, etc…
This can be literal music…like background music
(think of your favorite movie’s score) or in an actual
Musical

This can also describe the rhythm of the dialogue.

Each play has its own unique tempo and rhythm
that can be thought of as music. You’ll have a
chance to compare several plays this semester to see
how this element is used in different, effective and
exciting ways.
This is the visual aspect of the play: costumes/make-up,
set, props, lighting, special effects.

This helps create a specific world and atmosphere of the

play.
Prologue

Parados

Episodian (Episode)

Stasimon

Exodus