VIDEO: The characteristics of a classic drama

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General characteristics of the rule drama

Classical drama, also known as rule drama, is an important genre that has run through the centuries literature. You must have read some at school and recognize some of the features listed here.

  • The plot, place and time of the classical drama should form a unit. This means that the action takes place in a single place and no longer periods of time are shown, not even time jumps. Subplots should not occur.
  • The people involved should be limited to a very manageable group. After completing the first act, no more people should be introduced. The rule of the person chain also applies. This means that when there is a change of scene, only people who are in the previous scene were not present - so at least one person must be a bridge between the scenes beat.
  • The classic drama follows a certain structure (see below). The action is always completed. In the same way, the world in which it takes place is closed in on itself. Classic drama has a pure style - styles must not be mixed.

Structure of the classic drama

The characteristics of the classical drama also include a fixed structure. You can recognize it by the following structure:

Modern drama - this is how the drama analysis succeeds

Visiting the theater is not exactly one of the favorite pastimes ...

  • The first act introduces the people involved and introduces the problem. In this way, the viewer can get an overview of the location of the action and get to know all the people.
  • The action increases in the second act. She is heading for a conflict. This act receives the exciting moment, i.e. a trigger for the following events.
  • The third act accommodates the climax of the plot: it turns to the disadvantage (tragedy) or in favor (comedy) of the protagonist. This is the peak of the arc of tension and a turning point in the story.
  • In the fourth act the plot falls again. Tension is created by slowing down and delaying everything running towards the looming solution.
  • The fifth act finally has the solution. In classical tragedy this is the catastrophe, i.e. the downfall, in classical comedy it is a happy ending.
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