Analyzing the Shakespearean Drama: Structure

Drama Analysis

Analyzing a drama is similar to analyzing other works of literature, and the purpose of drama analysis is the same: to determine the theme or deeper meaning of the text. There are certain steps to take in order to fully analyze a drama. View the video below that will take you through 10 Steps in order to craft a drama analysis:

Shakespearean Drama Analysis

Shakespeare's plays also have other elements to analyze that all other plays might not have:

• The Five Act Structure
• The Use of Allusions
• The Use of Blank Verse
• The Use of Monologue and Soliloquy

Shakespearean Drama Structure

Shakespeare's plays typically follow a certain structure that follows the plot pyramid you are probably familiar with.

Recall that a playwright divides the play into different Acts that are similar to chapters in a book, and Shakespearean Dramas follow the Five Act Structure which divides the five plot points across the five acts:

Five Act Structure Example

Let's view an example of the Five Act Structure from Romeo and Juliet:

Drama Analysis Self-Assessment

Now, practice how many steps of drama analysis you remember with the activity below:

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