Notes on Drama for UGC NET Examination

1. Definition and Elements of Drama

• Drama: A genre of literature intended for performance, characterized by dialogue and action.
• Key Elements:
• Plot: The sequence of events or actions in the play.
• Characters: The individuals who perform the actions of the plot.
• Setting: The time and place where the drama occurs.
• Dialogue: The spoken words of the characters.
• Theme: The central idea or message of the play.
• Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces, often driving the plot.
• Stage Directions: Instructions in the script for actors' movements and actions.

Notes on Drama for UGC NET Examination

2. Historical Development of Drama

• Classical Drama:

  • Greek Drama:
    • Tragedy: Works by playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
    • Comedy: Aristophanes is a notable comic playwright.
  • Roman Drama: Adaptations of Greek works; Plautus and Seneca are key figures.

• Medieval Drama:

  • Liturgical Drama: Originated in the church, based on biblical stories.
  • Mystery Plays: Depictions of biblical events, performed by guilds.
  • Morality Plays: Allegorical plays teaching moral lessons.

• Renaissance Drama:

  • Elizabethan Drama: Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson are pivotal figures.
  • Jacobean Drama: Darker themes; continued by writers like John Webster.

• Modern Drama:

  • Realism: Focus on everyday life; Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov.
  • Expressionism: Emphasizes inner reality; August Strindberg.
  • Absurdist Theatre: Depicts the absurdity of human existence; Samuel Beckett.

Notes on Drama for UGC NET Examination

3. Types of Drama

• Tragedy: Serious themes, often ending in disaster for the protagonist.
• Comedy: Humorous and often ends happily.
• Tragicomedy: Blends elements of both tragedy and comedy.
• Farce: Highly exaggerated and humorous situations.
• Melodrama: Overly emotional and sensational plots.
• Musical Drama: Incorporates music, songs, and dance in the narrative.

Notes on Drama for UGC NET Examination

4. Major Playwrights and Their Works

• William Shakespeare:

  • Tragedies: Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello.
  • Comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night.
  • Histories: Henry V, Richard III.

• Henrik Ibsen:

  • A Doll's House, Hedda Gabler.

• Anton Chekhov:

  • The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya.

• Samuel Beckett:

  • Waiting for Godot.

• Arthur Miller:

  • Death of a Salesman, The Crucible.

5. Theatrical Movements and Innovations

• Realism: Focus on accurate depictions of everyday life.
• Naturalism: An extreme form of realism.
• Expressionism: Emphasis on emotional experience rather than physical reality.
• Theatre of the Absurd: Highlights the absurdity of human existence.
• Epic Theatre: Developed by Bertolt Brecht, emphasizes the audience's critical perspective rather than emotional involvement.
• Modernism: Experimental approaches and breaking away from traditional forms.
• Postmodernism: Blends different styles, often self-referential and fragmented narratives.

6. Performance Aspects

• Acting: The portrayal of characters by actors.
• Directing: The vision and guidance provided by the director.
• Stage Design: The creation of the physical environment on stage.
• Lighting: Enhances the mood, time of day, and focus on action.
• Costume Design: Reflects the character and period.
• Sound: Adds to the atmosphere and supports the narrative.

7. Important Terms in Drama

• Monologue: A long speech by one character.
• Soliloquy: A speech in which a character speaks thoughts aloud, often alone on stage.
• Aside: A brief remark by a character intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters.
• Dialogue: Conversation between two or more characters.
• Protagonist: The main character around whom the story revolves.
• Antagonist: The character who opposes the protagonist.

Notes on Drama for UGC NET Examination

8. Significance of Drama

• Cultural Reflection: Drama often reflects societal values, conflicts, and issues.
• Educational Tool: Teaches moral lessons and stimulates critical thinking.
• Entertainment: Provides enjoyment and emotional experiences.

Notes on Drama for UGC NET Examination