Characteristics of Melodrama
Melodrama, according to Roberts, exercises both the visceral and cerebral parts of us vigorously. This means that it offers aesthetic delight as well as intellectual appeal. Michael Booth argues that “Melodrama must build on a firm foundation of absolute certainties and immovable verities”. The absolute certainties “are that virtue will be rewarded and evil will be punished; its immovable verities generosity, courage, industry, honesty, chastity, humility, and repentance will always triumph over cupidity, contrivance, cowardice, cruelty, pride, sin and sex”.
- According to Roberts (1971): The conflict between virtue and vice is presented in a cartoon style – exaggerated and unmistakable, in black and white.
- The appeal to emotions is direct, and is underscored by musical accomplishment, either in songs or background music.
- Action is the life of melodrama; events are of overriding importance. What happens is far more important than the whom or the why, because the persons and the reasons are foreordained by the imperative of the genre. The issue is never in doubt; members of the audience can thrill with impunity to the direst of circumstances, the most heroic of escapes, the most grandiloquent of stances, perfectly safe in the knowledge not only that they are watching a play, but also that in the world of this play (as distinct from the actual world) neat poetic justice will prevail.
There is no intent in melodrama to bring the hero to the point of self-discovery or recognition; repentance and remorse (two occurring phenomena in melodrama of crime and fallen virtue) were usually brought about by external phenomena such as exhortations, dreams, lost children, mothers, wives, or sweethearts. The fundamental issue is not the reordering of self, but the readjustment of the individual in his relations with others.
The characters of melodrama are divided into polarities, the good and the bad, the happy and the unhappy. The hero or the heroine is the good while the villain is thoroughly bad. Other characters group under these two groups. Most characters usually align with the good or the hero, but Roberts (1971) argues that “the villain makes up in diabolical cleverness what he lacks in numerical superiority”.
Many 19th century melodramatic plays espoused chastity and fidelity as the essence of domestic happiness and attempted to make the heroine pursue this as the most essential quality in a woman. Roberts (1971: 223) maintains that:
In spite of his centrality, however, the hero is more acted upon than acting. The prime mover of the action in melodrama is the villain who pursues the heroine, contrives to discredit or kill the hero, and keeps thinking up “dastardly plots’. He is strong – minded and bold, grim, determined, and immensely evil.… He usually has as accomplice a shifty, cowardly, half -comic personage who occasionally foils his plot at the end of the play and goes over to the side of the Good.
Music is a major element of melodrama. It is, as has been said, a tool for watering and heightening emotions. “sad and weary music for suffering heroines, agonising music for the deaths of children and old fathers, threatening music for the villain, mysterious music for ghosts, clashing music for storms, and joyous music for reunions of separated lovers” (Roberts, p. 225).
Melodramatic plot is diverse. It includes sensational detective stories, conspiracies, crimes, shipwrecks, burnings, murder puzzles, stories of profligacy, etc. The story is usually profuse and panoramic. Melodramatic language is highly elevated and inflated. The hero or the heroine has power of expression. According to Roberts, melodramatic language is rich in high – flown sentiments… inflated language full of inversions, circumlocutions, and metaphors”. However, the ordinary characters are permitted to speak the language of the everyday business.
Dazzling stage machinery helps to achieve spectacular effect in melodrama. Improved lighting system helps to create fascinating stage effect. In addition to improved lighting system in the nineteenth – century, the stage designers- for purposes of ensuring historical accuracy, “selected landscapes and architecture which were picturesque, striking, and very often spectacular rather than typical or classically beautiful” (Hewitt, 1970). Hewitt further adds that:
Hills, woods, cliffs, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, oceans, storms, floods, fires, volcanic eruptions, and effects of sun, moon, clouds, and waves were created not only for the melodrama but also for Shakespeare’s plays, thus depicting what heretofore had been merely described by the characters or implied by the action.
CONCLUSION
The Victorian drama witnessed poor development in dramatic literature in terms of artistic quality and originality; but the art of acting and production flourished greatly causing the audience to ignore lack of originality and freshness in drama productions. Since most of the Victorian audiences see the theatre as a mere relief from tedious day’s work, they see the drama mostly from aesthetic angle, hence their preference for melodrama that provides profuse spectacle.
This article has exposed you to the Victorian drama. It considered the nature of dramatic literature of the period and what makes the audience eminently susceptible to the melodramatic offering. The unit specifically examined the concept of melodrama, its ingredients and characteristics as the major dramatic fare of the time.
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and coverage!
Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my own blogroll.
Thanks for some other wonderful post. Where else could anyone get that kind of info
in such an ideal means of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the look for such information.
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do think that you need to write more on this
subject, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t speak about these issues.
To the next! All the best!!
If you would like to get much from this paragraph then you have to apply such techniques
to your won blog.
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
Hey terrific blog! Does running a blog such as this require a large amount of work?
I’ve virtually no knowledge of computer programming
but I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you
have any ideas or tips for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off subject however I simply wanted to ask. Many thanks!
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article.
Many thanks for supplying this info.
Hi there! I simply wish to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have got right here on this post.
I will be coming back to your web site for more soon.
If you desire to obtain a good deal from this piece of writing then you have to apply such methods to your
won website.
Hello There. I discovered your weblog the usage of msn. This is an extremely
neatly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of
your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs
I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be interesting to read
articles from other authors and use something from other
web sites.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide
credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog is in the very same area of
interest as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit
from some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
Thanks a lot!
This article provides clear idea in support of the new people
of blogging, that really how to do blogging and site-building.
Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid
option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed
.. Any recommendations? Many thanks!
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it,
you could be a great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your
blog and will come back very soon. I want to encourage you to
continue your great writing, have a nice evening!
Fastidious answers in return of this matter with real arguments and
explaining all concerning that.
Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a
similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam comments?
If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.
excellent points altogether, you just won a new reader.
What might you suggest in regards to your put up that you made some days ago?
Any positive?
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
site, how could i subscribe for a blog website?
The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit
acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear
concept
At this time it sounds like WordPress is the preferred
blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is
that what you are using on your blog?
What’s up, this weekend is good in favor of me, as
this moment i am reading this great informative paragraph here at my house.
If you wish for to get a good deal from this paragraph then you
have to apply these strategies to your won website.
I am actually happy to read this weblog posts which carries lots of helpful data, thanks for
providing such data.
Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no data backup.
Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?
If a game only counts ten%, it signifies that only $.10 of each and every $1 you stake goes towards the playthrough
requirement.
When the ball goes into the wheel, there’s no telling which
color or number that it will land on.
Very good info. Lucky me I found your blog by accident (stumbleupon).
I’ve book-marked it for later!
It is illegal for any enterprise to engage in, administer, or sell
on the internet poker or gambling in Korea.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thanks for providing this
info.
Howdy I am so happy I found your site, I really found you by error,
while I was searching on Digg for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for
a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all
at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also included your
RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal
more, Please do keep up the excellent job.
You actually make it appear really easy with your presentation however
I in finding this topic to be actually one thing
which I think I might by no means understand.
It kind of feels too complex and very huge for me. I am having a look
ahead to your subsequent put up, I’ll attempt to get the hang of it!
Unquestionably believe that which you stated.
Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware
of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take
a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
When someone writes an post he/she keeps the thought of
a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it.
Thus that’s why this piece of writing is outstdanding. Thanks!
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites
for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
I have heard good things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?
Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
It’s nearly impossible to find educated people in this particular subject, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your
blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you present
here and can’t wait to take a look when I get
home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great site!
Hello, this weekend is pleasant in favor of me, as this
occasion i am reading this fantastic educational article here at my
house.
My relatives always say that I am killing my time here at web, except I know I am getting know-how every day by reading thes pleasant posts.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on website.
Regards
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your website?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could
a little more in the way of content so people could
connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures.
Maybe you could space it out better?
I visited many blogs except the audio quality for
audio songs existing at this web site is genuinely marvelous.
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am having troubles
with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t join it. Is there anyone
else getting identical RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
Yes! Finally someone writes about website.
Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my
comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having
trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
Thanks for finally writing about > A CRITICAL
STUDY OF THE VICTORIAN ENGLISH DRAMA – Recruitment Portal < Liked it!
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after looking at some of the posts I
realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely happy I stumbled upon it and I’ll
be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i
am genuinely happy to read all at alone place.
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of
this blog; this website carries remarkable and genuinely good information in favor of readers.
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website
with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information.
I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Superb blog and brilliant design.
It is in point of fact a great and useful piece of information. I’m happy that you simply shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
If some one needs expert view concerning running a blog after that i recommend him/her to pay
a quick visit this web site, Keep up the pleasant job.
I really like it when individuals get together and share thoughts.
Great website, continue the good work!
Hi I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Digg for
something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a remarkable post and a all round exciting blog
(I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so
when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the great job.
*LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM*
♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
*NO MORE EXCUSES*
1. I don’t have money
2. I can’t talk to people
3. I don’t do stuff like this
4. I’m too Busy
Your excuses may be legit but they won’t improve your Life.
• *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM is Fully Registered with CAC. WHICH IS COOPERATE AFFAIR COMMISSION( For those Who Think LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT is Not Registered)*
*LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM is a platform network that deal with investing of money just within 45mins you will get back your money double*
CONTACT:- +2349036369810
*LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM PACKAGE’S*
*N20,000====N40,000*
*N30, 000====N60,000*
*N50,000====N100,000*
*N100,000====N200,000*
*N200,000 ====N400,000*
*N400,000====N800,000*
*==============*
*I know you are skeptical about this because of the negative experience a lot of issues as regards scamming in the global world. I assure you 101% that you won’t lose your money this is because I know the risk of this profit oriented business and I know how to avoid them using my trading skills and signals to make only wins and no losses.*
*Are u a worker?*
♊ *Are u a student looking for your school fees? Are u a woman looking for money to pay your children school fees?*
♊ *Are u jobless and u need where u can make source of income?*
♊ *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM is here for you! With a little amount u can earn and make more more source of income without any problems*
♊ *LAVITA RICCA INVESTMENT PROGRAM is a platform network that deal with investing of money just within 45mins you will get back your money double*
*Thank you for your time you can click on the link below to get started, please only serious minded People are expected to message the administrator.*
CONTACT NAME Mrs. ELIZABETH TINA
CONTACT:- 09036369810…..