Dramatic Characters, Genres, and Structure

In this lesson, you will be introduced to defining characteristics of dramatic plot structure for a theatrical script, multiple categories of dramatic characters, and theatrical genres. Please watch the presentations below to learn more about dramatic characters, genres, and play structure. Don't forget to turn your volume on and to take notes during the presentations to reference later!

Topic 1: Dramatic Characters

Dramatic Characters

Click HERE to download the Dramatic Characters Presentation Guide to accompany the presentation above.

Topic 2: Theatrical Genres

Common Theatrical Genres

Characteristics of a Classical Tragedy: Oedipus Rex

The hero is of high social status.
Extraordinary characters are abundant.
He/She is a symbol of humanity.
The hero is caught in a difficult situation.
An action is done that causes a series of reversals.
Realization and acceptance/accountability of these actions is the most important part of the tragedy.
Verse is the traditional language of tragedy.
Aristotle states: 'Tragedy purges us of pity and fear.'
While it makes the audience sad, there is a sense of affirmation, and a sense of defiance in the face of the truth.

Characteristics of a Modern Tragedy

Late1800’s to now.
Representational characters are abundant.
Lower classes are also, and more often than not, heroes.
Arthur Miller argues in Death of A Salesman that his character, Willy Loman, is a hero because of the dignity of his action. He argues that this capacity makes him inherently a person of stature and therefore a hero.
Shortened focus on the falling action.

Characteristics of Comedy

In classical comedy the main characters were not of a high status. The focus was on how to behave rather than the weighty moral concepts found in classical tragedy.
Modern comedy is a humorous drama written to provoke amusement, laughter, and incite.
Use of stock characters and dominant trait characters is often found in modern comedy.
The central aspect of a comedy is human folly and the ridiculous, often for the purpose of making the audience laugh at the poor choices of the characters on stage.

Characteristics of a Tragicomedy: The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare was the first successful tragicomic.
The tragicomedy mixes elements of tragedy and comedy together.

Characteristics of a Docudrama

This format is a play wherein specific factual events make up the plot.

I Am My Own Wife (Docudrama by Doug Wright)
The Laramie Project (Docudrama by Moisés Kaufman)
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (Docudrama by Anna Deavere Smith)

Topic 3: Dramatic Structure

Dramatic Structure

Click HERE to download the Dramatic Structure Presentation Guide to accompany the presentation above.

Beginning, Middle, and End

Click HERE to download the Beginning, Middle, and End Presentation Guide to accompany the presentation above.

Dramatic Characters, Genres, and Structure Self-Assessment Activity

Complete the activity below to help you review the content from this lesson.

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