TYPES OF DRAMA
When we examine the history of English literature we come across different types of drama during different periods or ages. Mainly, we find following four types of drama in English literature.
1.
Comedy
2.
Tragedy
3.
Tragicomedy
4.
Melodrama
Each of the above type has its own distinct features, but some features like plot, character, setting, dialogues etc are common in them. Let’s discuss them all one by one.
COMEDY:
Comedy is a type of drama that aims to make
the audience laugh. Its tone is light and it has a happy ending. Comedy is full
of wit and satire. It aims at exposing the follies or weaknesses of the
society. During the ancient times Greek comedies were very popular. For
example, ‘Lysistrata’ and ‘The Frogs’ ‘The Birds’ and ‘The Knights’ written by
Aristophanes. In English literature, the first comedy ‘Ralph Roister Doister’
was written by Nicholas Udall. Shakespeare is also famous for his romantic
comedies.
TRAGEDY:
Tragedy is a type of drama which is full of murders, deaths, insanity, and pain. Main characters usually have some kind of weakness or defect known as ‘Hamartia’ which causes their downfall. It is serious intone. Aristotle believed that the main characteristic of tragedy was the change of fortunes of the main character because of his flaws. Tragedy arouses the feelings of pity and fear in the heart of the reader. Anicent Greek tragedies like ‘Oedipus Rex’ and ‘Electra’ written by Sophocles were highly popular. In English literature Marlowe is considered as the father of English tragedy. He is known for his four tragedies, namely ‘Doctor Faustus’, ‘Edward II’, ‘The Jew of Malta’ and ‘Tamberlaine’. Shakespeare too is acclaimed as the master of tragedy. His four famous tragedies, namely, ‘Hamlet’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘King Lear’ and ‘Othello’ are the gems of English literature.
TRAGICOMEDY:
Tragicomedy is a special kind of drama that combines the features of tragedy and comedy. It means that such play may be sad but will have a happy ending, or it may be serious with some elements of humor emerging throughout the whole play. Roman dramatist Plautus was the first to write a tragicomedy and to use the term. Plautus wrote ‘Amphitryon’ which is the best example of tragic-comedy. He believed that life is a mixture of happiness and sorrow and hence drama must represent both these sides of life. Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ too is a nice example of tragicomedy.
MELODRAMA:
Melodrama is a kind of drama in which everything is presented in an exaggerated manner. Usually, themes in melodramas are simple and the stories and characters are stereotypes. However, the main aim of a melodrama is not to tell a story but to awaken feelings in the audience. They are mostly love stories with beautiful heroines, charming heroes and scary villains. They are highly emotional and sometimes full of violence. It first appeared in France at the end of the 18th century. Later, it reached Britain and became one of the most popular types of drama in the 19th century. ‘Still Life’ and Brief Encounter’ by Noel Coward and ‘Mildred Pierce’ by James Cain are some examples of melodramas in English literature.
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