INTRODUCTION
This article introduces you to a detailed study of dramatic genres. You need this background to enable you appreciate different forms of drama in the course of your study. The classification is also necessary for both the playwright and the critics in their appreciation of dramatic composition.
Etymologically, the term genre is taken from the French language and it means type, kind, or form. In simple terms dramatic genre means type or kind of dramatic composition. Drama is grouped into distinct types, kinds or categories because there are qualities that are common to all dramatic compositions. There are also qualities that make each composition unique. It is these similarities and differences that determine each genre.
The dramatic genres include tragedy, comedy, tragic-comedy, melodrama, drame, mime, etc.
Tragedy
We are familiar with the words ‘tragedy’ and tragic as they are associated with misfortune. Usually, they are used to describe personal misfortunes that do not concern the rest of the society. For example, the breakdown of a marriage or death of a dear one in an accident or even natural causes could be described as tragic. Also, some public events that are unpleasant like the assassination of a head of state or a political leader, natural or human disasters like earthquakes, flood disasters, plane crashes and other such disasters are referred to as tragedies. In this unit we are not concerned with these tragedies or tragic’ events in our daily lives but as they relate to dramatic compositions.
Tragedy according to the Oxford English Dictionary is “a play of a serious or solemn kind … a very sad event, action or experience.” The last part of the definition explains why the word is used to describe misfortunes, natural and human disasters in everyday life. However, we will be concerned with the aspect of the definition that sees tragedy as a play of a serious or a solemn kind.
Tragedy in drama is believed to have originated from the Greek worship of Dionysius, the god of wine and fertility. During the festival, the dithyramb, a choral lyric in honour of the god is sang and danced around the altar by fifty men dressed in goat-skin (goat was the sacred animal of the god).
This is perhaps from where tragedy got its name because in Greek, “tragoedia” meant goat song. During this song, a story about the god was improvised by the choral leader but later Thepsis stood out and instead of singing in honour of Dionysius, sang as Dionysius. However, the song continued but a minimal part of it was acted by one actor.
As time went on, the spoken part was increased and Aeschylus added a second actor while Sophocles added a third actor. As time went on, the number of chorus decreased gradually as more actors increased. Thus tragedy was born. The scope of the plays increased as they started including myths concerning other gods. The plays became so popular that by 534 BC, the state gave official recognition to tragedy and instituted a prize for the best tragedy presented at the annual Donysian festival.
Tragedy is the most esteemed of all the dramatic genres. It has attracted many definitions and rules, from the days of Aristotle, who is the first person to write on the circumstances of and what tragedy should be, to the present day. According to him in his “Poetics”:
Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of acertain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornaments, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the from of action not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting a proper purgation of these emotions.
Aristotle explains all the aspects of this definition and moves further to give the elements of tragedy as plot, character, thought, diction, music and spectacle. Try to read Aristotle’s “Poetics”. These principles have continued to influence the definition till date. However, some dramatic scholars agree with him while some others disagree with him. In drama, tragedy is a serious play that deals with the misfortunes of man. It presents a man (tragic hero) who is not too virtuous or too vicious but one who aspires for higher ideals. He tries to improve himself and the world around him. In the course of this, he makes a mistake, or commits an error of judgment. This leads to his fall. Traditionally, in classical tragedies, the hero must be of noble birth, suffer and is overwhelmed in the end. Tragedy presents injustice, evil, pain, misfortunes, paradoxes and mysterious aspects of human existence.
Greek tragedy has a set pattern or structure. It starts with the prologue which introduces the play with the episodes of the play and the choral songs in between and finally the exodus. The play contains a “single integral plot” which is presented in a very short period with one setting.
The action could be simple or complex and contains a reversal of fortune or discovery or both. They are very short plays and many of them were presented in trilogies. The tragic hero is drawn from princes and kings. He is a man who is not pre-eminently good, virtuous or vicious but who commits an error of judgment. Oedipus Rex is a good example of classical tragedy. It has a single plot, the story of how Oedipus killed his father and married his mother. The setting is just in front of the palace. Oedipus, the tragic hero is a king who by the end of the play, discovers the truth about himself, his fortune reverses from good to bad. His catastrophe is caused by his tragic flaw which is arrogance.
The plays were based on myth and legends drawn mainly from the legends of the house of Atreus and the events of the Trojan wars. They were presented as a part of a great festival and the state was involved.
Music, songs and dances were important elements of the plays. To maintain a single setting, indoor actions and violence were reported on stage. As part of a religious festival, the plays were used to show how vices like arrogance and pride lead men to destruction. The gods also play important roles in Greek tragedy. However, the dramatists differ in their attitudes to the gods as characters in their plays.
Many critics argue that there are no tragedies in the modern period. The argument is based on the fact that many playwrights do not adhere to the Aristotelian principles of tragedy especially as regards the treatment of the subject matter, tragic hero and the language. Modern playwrights feel that they should not be restricted by any rules.
According to them, drama reflects the society, so they should reflect their society in the works. In the modern society, little or no attention is paid to kings, princes and their exploits so a poor man who is hard working can rise to esteem. The society also encourages him to rise. He also has the capacity to fall into misfortune through an error of judgment and according to Arthur Miller, since kings and monarchs are no longer available, tragedy should be based “… on the heart and spirit of the average man” (Dukore: 897). Contemporary issues and human beings should, therefore, be treated in tragedy.
The important factor is that the tragic hero pursues a particular goal he believes in relentlessly to its logical conclusion even if he loses his life in the pursuit. Tragedy attempts, therefore, to ask some basic questions about human existence like, is there justice in the world?
It’s nice to see the best quality content from such sites.
Good site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find excellent writing like
yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you!
Take care!!
Superb post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a
litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Cheers!
Keep this going please, great job!
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I have found something that helped me.
Kudos!
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who had
been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually bought me lunch due to the fact that I discovered it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for
the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time
to talk about this topic here on your website.
May I simply just say what a relief to uncover a person that really
knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to
light and make it important. More and more people have
to read this and understand this side of the story.
I was surprised that you are not more popular because you definitely have
the gift.
I think that what you posted made a bunch of sense.
However, what about this? suppose you composed a catchier title?
I ain’t saying your information is not solid, however suppose you added something that makes people desire more?
I mean MEANING AND TYPES OF DRAMATIC GENRE – Page 3 –
Recruitment Portal is a little plain. You should peek at Yahoo’s home page
and see how they create article headlines to grab viewers to
click. You might try adding a video or a related pic or two to get people interested about everything’ve got to
say. Just my opinion, it could make your posts a little bit more
interesting.
If some one needs to be updated with most up-to-date technologies afterward he must be go to see this website and be up
to date everyday.
You’ve made some decent points there. I checked on the net to find out more about the issue
and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
I am really thankful to the holder of this web site who has shared this impressive post
at here.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post!
It’s the little changes that make the most important changes.
Thanks for sharing!
My partner and I stumbled over here by a different website and thought I might check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to
looking over your web page again.
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous
to and you’re just too wonderful. I really like what you’ve
acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still care
for to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you.
This is actually a great website.
I’m not sure exactly why but this web site is loading
incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is
it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this outstanding blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to new updates and will talk about this
blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
I’m extremely pleased to find this web site.
I need to to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!!
I definitely liked every little bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to check out new things on your website.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs
really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back in the future.
Cheers
I have read so many content regarding the blogger
lovers but this piece of writing is in fact a fastidious post,
keep it up.
Hi there this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors
or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a
blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get
guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously
appreciated!
I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been working
with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find
something more safeguarded. Do you have any suggestions?
This is very fascinating, You’re an excessively professional blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and stay up for in search of extra
of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks
What i don’t understood is if truth be told how you’re no
longer really much more well-appreciated than you may be right now.
You’re so intelligent. You already know thus significantly in the case of this subject,
produced me in my view consider it from so many numerous angles.
Its like women and men aren’t involved unless it
is one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding.
All the time handle it up!
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was
wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having
a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web
savvy so I’m not 100% positive. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Appreciate it
What’s up, the whole thing is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s really excellent, keep up writing.
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your website, how could i subscribe for
a weblog site? The account helped me a appropriate deal.
I have been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided shiny transparent
idea
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading
through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow,
I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking
back often!
Great article! This is the kind of info that are supposed to be
shared around the internet. Shame on the seek engines for now not positioning this publish higher!
Come on over and seek advice from my site . Thank you
=)
Great post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m inspired!
Very helpful info particularly the remaining phase 🙂 I care
for such info much. I used to be seeking this certain info for a very lengthy time.
Thanks and good luck.
Whats up very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb ..
I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?
I’m satisfied to find so many useful info here in the publish,
we need work out more strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
I wanted to thank you for this very good read!! I certainly enjoyed
every bit of it. I’ve got you saved as a favorite to check out new things you post…
It’s an remarkable piece of writing in support of all the
web viewers; they will take advantage from it
I am sure.
Having read this I thought it was very informative.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this content together.
I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both
reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand
new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with useful information to work on. You’ve
done a formidable job and our entire community will likely be grateful to you.
Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure
where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?
With thanks
Hey are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any coding expertise to make your
own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I am sure this article has touched all the internet users, its really
really nice piece of writing on building up new webpage.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next post thanks once
again.
I’d like to find out more? I’d like to find out more details.
This site truly has all the information and
facts I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually
something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad for
me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing
this website. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade
blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing
abilities has motivated me to get my very own site now 😉
It’s an amazing paragraph for all the online visitors; they will take advantage from it I am sure.
Thanks in support of sharing such a good thinking, article is
good, thats why i have read it completely
Hey there would you mind letting me know which
webhost you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price?
Kudos, I appreciate it!
Just follow these four steps to make your account, fund it and
decide on a game.
Asking questions are genuinely nice thing if you are not understanding something totally, except
this post offers fastidious understanding even.
Hi there I am so grateful I found your webpage, I
really found you by accident, while I was looking on Askjeeve for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just
like to say kudos for a tremendous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love
the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I
have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so
when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more,
Please do keep up the awesome work.
I visited various websites but the audio feature for audio songs existing
at this web page is actually superb.
Greate article. Keep writing such kind of info on your blog.
Im really impressed by your blog.
Hey there, You’ve performed an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and
personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while
you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this
your broadcast offered bright clear concept
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and I to find It truly useful
& it helped me out much. I am hoping to present one thing
again and help others such as you aided me.
Amazing! Its genuinely awesome article, I have got much clear idea regarding
from this post.
Fastidious replies in return of this matter with firm arguments and explaining the whole thing regarding that.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However I am
having problems with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it.
Is there anybody else getting identical RSS problems?
Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
I think the admin of this website is actually working hard in support of
his web page, for the reason that here every stuff is quality based information.
This information is invaluable. Where can I find out more?
Hello, of course this paragraph is actually fastidious and
I have learned lot of things from it about blogging. thanks.
Wow! Finally I got a weblog from where I know
how to truly take useful data concerning my study and
knowledge.
Good day very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb ..
I’ll bookmark your web site and take the
feeds additionally? I’m satisfied to search out a lot
of helpful info here within the submit, we want develop more strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing.
. . . . .
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a
few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
Good day I am so glad I found your webpage, I really found you by error,
while I was researching on Google for something else, Regardless
I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a fantastic post and a all
round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it
all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS
feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much
more, Please do keep up the great work.
Tremendous issues here. I’m very glad to see your article.
Thank you so much and I’m taking a look forward to contact you.
Will you kindly drop me a mail?
Truly when someone doesn’t know afterward its up to other
viewers that they will help, so here it happens.
Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Informative article, exactly what I was looking for.
Asking questions are really nice thing if you are not understanding something totally, but this piece
of writing provides pleasant understanding even.
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words
in your post seem to be running off the screen in Firefox.
I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with
browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Many thanks
I’m not sure the place you are getting your info, however great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or working out more.
Thanks for great information I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.
I could not resist commenting. Very well written!
I used to be recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not positive
whether or not this post is written through him as no one else
know such particular about my problem. You are incredible!
Thank you!
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should
also pay a quick visit this website on regular
basis to obtain updated from latest news.
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are
you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
I all the time used to read article in news papers but now as I am a user of web
so from now I am using net for posts, thanks to web.
Hi there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and
personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was
a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable
from you! However, how could we communicate?
I wanted to thank you for this good read!! I certainly loved every little
bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you
post…
Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this
website, and your views are good for new viewers.
I love what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and exposure!
Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve included you guys to blogroll.
There’s definately a great deal to learn about this issue.
I love all the points you’ve made.
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all
of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Do you offer guest writers to write content available for you?
I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a few
of the subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome web site!
Hi, I do believe this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return once again since I saved as a favorite it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
Pretty component of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact loved account your blog posts.
Any way I will be subscribing on your augment and even I achievement you
get entry to persistently fast.
LAVITA RICCA INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT*
♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
*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 is Fully Registered with with FGN. with RC NO 1582489( For those Who Think Lavita Ricca is Not Registered)* *Contact Administrator Management Mrs. Elizabeth Tina On *(09036369810)
*Lavita Ricca Investment is a platform network that deal with investing of money just within 45 minutes you will get back your money double*
?phone=+2349036369810
*Lavita Ricca PACKAGE’S*
*N20,000====N40,000*
*N40,000====N80,000*
*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 MMM. 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 is here for you! With a little amount u can earn and make more more source of income without any problems*
 *Lavita Ricca Investment 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.( 09036369810 ).