STUDENT SCRIPT - Englisches Seminar II - Universität zu Köln

1. 1.4 1. DDrama
D Drama
rama and and Drama Drama Analysis Analysis: Analysis : Key Key Terms
Terms
Nieragden: ILCS 17
The basic insights from drama history and theory presented below can, for the largest
parts, be transferred to other forms of performance-related verbal art as well, i.e. the
musical, the opera and, of course, the movie (s. s. model 2 2 on on on p p 12 above above). above Section 4
can be applied to narrative texts (s. 1.5 below) just as well; section 6 is of special value
to everybody with an interest in structural fim analysis.
1. Elements
dialogue dialogue dialogue A sequence of conversational 'turns' exchanged between two or more speakers or
'interlocutors'. The more specific term duologue is occasionally used to refer to a dialogue
between exactly two speakers.
monologue monologue A long speech in which a character talks to him- or herself. Often, only one
character is on stage during a m., in which case the m. becomes a soliloquy (from Latin
solus, 'alone'). M.s and soliloquies have a number of important dramatic functions: they
foreground the monologist/soliloquist; they provide a transition (or bridge) between scenes;
they open a source of information and exposition; and they let the audience know something
of the private thoughts, motives, and plans of characters.
aside aside A remark that is not heard by the other characters on stage. There are three types of
a.: monological, dialogical, and ad spectatores. A monological a. is a remark that occurs in a
dialogue, but is not meant to be heard by any of the speaker's interlocutors (it is 'monological'
because it is basically a self-communication). A dia dialogical dia
logical logical a. a. in contrast, is a remark that
is addressed to a specific hearer, but is heard by nobody else present (i.e., by nobody but
the intended hearer). Finally, an a. a. ad ad ad ad spectatores
spectatores spectatores
spectatores is addressed directly to the audience and
thus is an important technique of breaking the illusion of the play.
dramatis dramatis personae personae The list of characters. This is an extratextual element usually accompanied
by a brief explicit characterization indicating role, social status, etc. ("JELLABY, a butler,
middle-aged", Stoppard, Arcadia). Often the characters are simply listed in their order of
appearance, but other arrangements are also frequent. For instance, the dramatis personae
may reflect the hierarchy of an aristocratic society, listing the king and his relatives first, then
the dukes and earls, and then the common citizens.
stage stage direction direction A descriptive or narrative passage of secondary text (usually set in italics)
describing the set, scenery, props, costumes, and the nonverbal behavior of the characters
(such as their movements). Ideally, in performance, a s.d. is translated into a property or a
behavioral pattern which is directly perceptible to the audience. Authors' practice in the use
of long or short, narrative or descriptive, strictly prescriptive or merely suggestive stage directions,
varies widely.
irony irony A term with a range of meanings, all of them involving some sort of discrepancy or incongruity.
I. suggests the difference between appearance and reality, between expectation
and fulfillment, the complexity of experience. 1: Verbal II.
I
- the opposite is said from what is
intended. / 2: Dramatic II.
I
- the contrast between what a character says and what the reader
knows to be true; can be comi comic comi
or tragic tragic. tragic
/ 3: I. of situation - discrepancy between what is
and what would seem appropriate.
2. Types
A play is a plurimedial narrative form designed to be staged in a public performance: it
uses both auditory and visual media: a play's audience has to use their eyes as well as
their ears (a novel, in contrast, is a 'monomedial' form). A play is also a special form of
narrative form because it presents a story.
absolute absolute drama drama A type of drama that does not employ a level of fictional mediation; a play
that makes no use of narrator figures, chorus characters, story-internal stage managers, or
any other 'epic' elements (to be specified in more detail below). The audience witnesses the
action of the play as if it happened 'absolutely', i.e., as if it existed independently of either
author, or narrator, or, in fact, the spectators themselves.
closet closet closet drama drama drama A play that is primarily designed to be read.