SECTION FOUR: DRAMA
4.1 History of English Drama
The Elements of Drama:
The elements of drama are-
1. plot 2. characterization 3. dialogue 4. settings 5. stage directions 6. conflict 7. theme
The four closely related areas of focus are-
1. The focus of the scene 2. The focus of the audience 3. The focus of the character 4. The focus of the actor
A)
1. Name any four periods of History of British Drama.
Answer-
i. Medieval period
ii. Renaissance period
iii. Restoration period
iv. Victorian period
2. List the four elements of drama.
Answer-
i. plot, ii. characters, iii. theme, iv. stage direction
3. State a type of drama each from any four periods of history.
Answer-
i. Medieval period-Robin Hood, Everyman
ii. Renaissance period-Romeo and Julliet, Duchess of Malfi
iii. Restoration period-All for Love, The Way of the World
iv. Victorian period-The Importance of Being Earnest, A Doll's House
4. List at least four features of one act play.
Answer-
1. It has one or more scenes.
2. It is concise in manner.
3. It has single dominant theme which produces singular effect.
4. It has a beginning, a middle and an end.
5. Define drama.
Answer-
Dram is a composition in verse or prose to be acted on the stage. It tells a story through action, costume, setting and dialogue.
6. Explain the term plot.
Answer-
The plot is the series of events that take place during the play.
7. State the difference between drama and novel.
Answer-
Drama tells a story through the performances, acts, scenes and dialogues. A novel is written in a narrative form. It describes characters and actions. It is meant for reading and not for performance.
8. Difference between characters and characterization.
Answer-
Characters of a drama are the personalities performing actions to tell the story while characterization deals with the unique qualities that the dramatist bring in life.
9. Enlist a few reasons for watching a drama live on the stage.
Answer-
i. Gives real experience
ii. Gives joy and creates real atmosphere before the eyes.
iii. Develops spectators' involvement in the events
iv. Presents concrete picture before the audience.
10. Define the term-One Act Play
Answer-
A one act play is not exactly a shortened play. It is a complete story that has to be performed on the stage in stipulated time. It has its own features and characteristics. The action is confined to a single place and the number of characters is limited.
B) Choose the correct option from the given alternatives.
1. ...........is not the element of drama.
a. theme
b. plot
c. conflict
d. costume
2. Drama has its origin in........
a. Restoration theatre
b. Folk theatre
c. Modern theatre
d. Indian theatre
3. ............established vast amphitheatres.
a. Romans
b. British
c. Americans
d. Indians
4. Between.............century, drama began to have themes.
a. 12th and 13th
b. 13th and 14th
c. 14th and 15th
d. 15th and 16th
5. ............plays had nothing to do with religion.
a. Shakespeariaean
b. Renaissance
c. Modern
d. Classical
6. It was.........who discovered the transformation of blank verse into theatrical medium.
a. Thomas Kyd
b. Shekspeare
c. Christopher Marlowe
d. George Bernard Shaw
7. Shakespeariean era came into existence in the.........century to the public theatre.
a. 15th
b. 16th
c. 17th
d. 18th
8. The classicist, moralist and reformer,...........was contemporary to Shakespeare.
a. Ben Johnson
b. Thomas Kyd
c. Oliver Goldsmith
d. Samuel Beckett
9. Plot means...........
a. place where the story takes plac.
b. the logical sequence of events.
c. central idea.
10. Setting is.........
a. central idea of the play.
b. sequence of events.
c. a place where the story takes place.
d. story of the play.
11. ...........is the central idea around which the plot revolves.
a. plot
b. setting
c. theme
d. language
COMPILED BY-DR. SALUNKHE T. B.
