The elements of a drama

What are the main elements of the drama? Why is Hamlet so dramatic? Why is a murder mystery like a rat trap so convincing?

Many people wrote about composing a drama. One of the first and most influential people was Aristotle, who concluded that there were six elements in the play: plot, character, thought, dictionary, spectacle, and song.

A lot of people have had a say since then. What about symbols and metaphors? Or the atmosphere and atmosphere? Is tension and suspense important? Are these the key elements of the drama?

When you watch an amazing show in a theater, you may leave thinking, "What made it so cool?" Why did the play move me, or did it make me nervous?" A play, movie, or TV show can become great only when all the main elements of a drama work together.

In this blog, we will talk about some of the main elements of drama and the importance of drama in the way we tell stories.

Plot

The plot is about the sequence of events and the progress of the play. Without a plot, it is difficult to make a convincing drama. The success of a dramatic play generally depends on how the events of the play unfold. The plot is essential for dramas because it takes audiences on a trip. We become immersed and want to know the results.

A plot can have multiple shapes. Plots are often represented as curves in graphs because they accumulate as climaxes and then return to a calm and stable new state. The storyline is not just about one thing happening one after another. In a good play, there is a reason for each action or event to occur. The plot can help the topic and will affect the character's growth or decline.

Aristotle pointed to the plot and personality as the two most important elements of the play. And even today, it will be hard to find anyone who believes that the plot is not a key element of the drama.

Personality

Plot = What is the letter = Who. The main characters, antagonists and supporting characters are essential to the drama. These are the elements of plays, TV shows, and movies that audiences can encounter.

They make decisions, influence the plot, and live in a fictional universe created by writers, directors, and producers. Just by looking at the list of characters in Romeo and Juliet, you can see how the relationship between the characters affects the plot and the tension and atmosphere in the story, and how they shape the core elements of the drama.

tension/suspense

Coach Alfred Hitchcock said, "There is no fear in the bat. It's just when you expect it." If the audience expects something scary, meaningful, or dramatic, it can attract the audience's attention. This is the tension.

Do Romeo and Juliet live happily together? Although the relationship may seem fateful from the start, Shakespeare creates tension in the way their story unfolds. You want the audience to ask, "What happens next?" And this is best accomplished through tension and suspense. It is difficult to make a real drama if the audience is not interested in what will happen next.

Language

Stories can be raised through language. A play can have simple plots and uncomplicated characters, but it can be attractive and beautiful by using language. Language allows you to hide clues, humor, and create subtexts.

Characters express themselves in language, actions are driven by words, and tension can be created through conversation. Language is also a key element of drama because it can connect with people in unique ways.

Spectacular/Atmosphere

Aristotle's fifth drama element was Spectacle, which is about the setting and what the audience sees. Dramas need visual elements. Spectacles and atmosphere can bring new meaning to language and characters.

The atmosphere and spectacle can make the drama memorable. Often when you go to a play or watch a movie, you will remember how it made you feel.

The plot, personality, and language of Shakespeare's plays may remain the same for years, but the troupe will conduct stage production and visual experiments to create a fresh and exciting spectacle or atmosphere.

What makes a great drama?

Dramas are made when all these key elements are combined. In some plays, TV shows, or movies, they can focus more on one element than the other. But both character-oriented and storyline-oriented stories require creative and capable people to work.

The plot, the characters, the tension, the language, and the spectacle are evident in all the best plays, TV shows, and movies. These elements form the basis of some great dramas, and it is interesting to see how other artists use them to tell stories.

Meta Explanation: What makes a great dramatic play, a movie or a TV show? What are the special ingredients? Find out about the main elements of the drama on this blog.