definition of drama

Definition of Drama

Drama

1. A composition, in prose or poetry, accommodated to action, and intended to exhibit a picture of human life, or to depict a series of grave or humorous actions of more than ordinary interest, tending toward some striking result. It is commonly designed to be spoken and represented by actors on the stage.
2. A series of real events invested with a dramatic unity and interest.
3. Dramatic composition and the literature pertaining to or illustrating it; dramatic literature.

The Classical Definition of Drama

‘Drama’ is an Ancient Greek word meaning ‘act’ or ‘deed’. The Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle used this term in a very influential treatise called the Poetics. In this text, Aristotle classified different forms of poetry according to basic features he thought could be commonly recognised in their composition. He used the term ‘drama’ to describe poetic compositions that were ‘acted’ in front of audiences in a theatron.

While Aristotle offered drama as a general term to describe forms of poetry that were ‘acted’, he identified different types of composition within this category, including comedy and tragedy. He regarded comedy as a form of drama because it represented acts that made audiences laugh and he considered tragedy a form of drama because it represented acts that made audiences feel pity or fear. The Roman theorist Horace introduced another view of these poetic forms when he suggested that their purpose was to either delight or instruct. Although various definitions and developments in drama must be considered in addition to Aristotle’s original assessment of dramas, many of the terms of classification he introduced are still used or debated today.

Examples: Greek Comedy, Greek Tragedy

References:

Aristotle. The Poetics of Aristotle. Trans. Stephen Halliwell. London: Duckworth, 1987.

Green, J.R. Theatre in Ancient Greek Society. New York; London: Routledge, 1994.

Drama as Imitation

Aristotle suggested that some forms of poetry could be identified as ‘dramas’ because they had written compositions that represented ‘men acting’ and the presentation of the compositions required men to act as the men represented in the texts. This system of classification therefore contains a distinction between dramatic texts and performances that often requires further clarification. Aristotle argued that dramatic texts and performances imitated actions or deeds performed by people in real life. He called the process of imitation he identified in the dramas he analysed mimesis.This concept has sometimes been used to suggest that written compositions that are ‘acted’ offer representations of activities that copy reality in some way. However, Aristotle’s arguments can also suggest that dramas offer quite unique kinds of poetry because they use real actions, ideas and texts to construct possible views of reality. Those studying dramas today therefore need to consider what views of reality may be represented in texts and what views of reality may be presented in performance.

Examples: Naturalism, Realism, Brechtian Theatre, Theatre of the Absurd

References:

Aristotle. The Poetics of Aristotle. Trans. Stephen Halliwell. London: Duckworth, 1987.

Diamond, E. Unmaking Mimesis: Essays on Feminism and Theater. London, Routledge, 1997.

Ley, Graham. From Mimesis to Interculturalism: Readings of Theatrical Theory Before and After ‘Modernism’. Exeter: U of Exeter P, 1997.

Taussig, Michael. Mimesis and Alterity: A Particular History of the Senses. New York; London: Routledge, 1993.

Drama as Action

Aristotle argued that actors in a drama aim to mimic actions rather than perform real actions. While his view has been influential, exploring how the concept of imitation relates to drama is crucial to an understanding of dramatic activity. Dramatic ‘acting’ involves more than simply copying actions that are described by playwrights or performed by people in everyday life. For example, someone who performs a murder in a drama is unlikely to produce an exact replica of a murder that has really occurred. Since those acting dramas probably wish to avoid causing trauma to others or being dragged off to prison, it is likely that an actor would try to find an action that can suggest the action of murder. Actors may still choose to perform actions that are copies of ‘real’ or ‘imagined’ actions but they always need to be mindful of the consequences and impact of their actions on themselves and on their audiences. Since those ‘acting’ dramas are also really performing actions, those who are performing actions need to consider how their actions will impact upon the different views and values in different audiences.

Examples: Boal’s ‘Invisible Theatre’ and Artaud’s ‘Theatre of Cruelty’

What Are the Elements of Drama

By: Jenney Cheever

Essential elements of drama are present in any play that you see. Aristotle was the first to write about these essential elements, more than two thousand years ago. While ideas have changed slightly over the years, we still discuss Aristotle's list when talking about what makes the best drama.

Aristotle's Six Elements of Drama
Aristotle considered these six things to be essential to good drama.

• Plot: This is what happens in the play. Plot refers to the action; the basic storyline of the play.
• Theme: While plot refers to the action of the play, theme refers to the meaning of the play. Theme is the main idea or lesson to be learned from the play. In some cases, the theme of a play is obvious; other times it is quite subtle.
• Characters:  Characters are the people (sometimes animals or ideas) portrayed by the actors in the play. It is the characters who move the action, or plot, of the play forward.
• Dialogue: This refers to the words written by the playwright and spoken by the characters in the play. The dialogue helps move the action of the play along.
• Music/Rhythm: While music is often featured in drama, in this case Aristotle was referring to the rhythm of the actors' voices as they speak.  
• Spectacle: This refers to the visual elements of a play: sets, costumes, special effects, etc. Spectacle is everything that the audience sees as they watch the play.

In modern theater, this list has changed slightly, although you will notice that many of the elements remain the same. The list of essential elements in modern theater are:

• Character
• Plot
• Theme
• Dialogue
• Convention
• Genre
• Audience

The first four, character, plot, theme and dialogue remain the same, but the following additions are now also considered essential elements of drama.

• Convention: These are the techniques and methods used by the playwright and director to create the desired stylistic effect.
• Genre: Genre refers to the type of play. Some examples of different genres include, comedy, tragedy, mystery and historical play.
• Audience: This is the group of people who watch the play. Many playwrights and actors consider the audience to be the most important element of drama, as all of the effort put in to writing and producing a play is for the enjoyment of the audience.