DRAMAA History

• DRAMA : A specific form of fiction that is demonstrated through performance.

• The term “drama” derives from a Greek word that means “action” or “to do”.

Greek Drama

• Began as organized religious celebrations honoring Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility.

• During the celebrations participants danced and sang to music around the altar of Dionysus.

• Wild and passionate.

• 6th century B.C., Dionysian celebrations became an annual festival held in Athens.

Took place in a large outdoor amphitheater.

• Dancing chorus of worshipers began to compete for prizes…

• Tradition has it that Thespis transformed the religious hymns into songs.

• Still honored Dionysus • Also told stories of famous heroes and other

gods.

• Important innovation…• One chorus member stepping aside to play

the part of the hero or god.• Wore a mask.• Interacted with the chorus.

• Aeschylus• Second individual actor

• CONFLICT

• Three traditional types of plays…

Tragedies– Heroic characters and unhappy endings. Serious,

mythical and religious questions.Comedies– Ordinary people and happy endingsSatyr Play– Serious, mythical, religious concepts mocked.

Antigone

Oedipus Rex

Medea

Elizabethan Drama

• Queen Elizabeth I– Late 1500s

• Shakespeare

• Simple stages

• Lavish costumes

• Minimal scenery

• All male actors

• Religion

• Boys with elaborate costumes.

• Social gatherings• Eating and drinking• Plays had to capture the audiences attention

Film

• 1875: Eadweard Muybridge successfully photographed a horse named Sallie Gardener.

• Silent• After World War II “Hollywood” rose to

become an industry power.• 1927: First ‘talkie”,

The Jazz Singer.

Dramatic Structure• Exposition: Background information (protagonist,

antagonist, setting, conflict)• Rising action: Secondary conflicts that prevent the

protagonist from reaching his or her goals• Climax: Turning point, a change in the course of the

play or film• Falling action : Begins after the climax, conflict

begins to unravel• Denouement (Resolution) : The conclusion or final

resolution