THEA 1314 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Subplot, Dramatic Structure
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How Plays Work
Foundations of Theatre
• Aristotle
o Student of Plato
o Wrote Poetics
o Six elements of drama
Aristotle's Six Elements of Drama (ranked from most to least important)
1. Plot
• Structure or arrangement of events
• Plot is the structure of the "story", but "plot" is not the same as "story"
• Main plot = main character(s)
• Subplot = other characters
• Aristotle believed that the plot should be credible and astonishing
2. Character
• Agents of the plot
• Aristotle believed that the main character should be consistent and moral and of high status
3. Thought
• Theme
• Moral of the story
4. Diction
• Language used in the writing
• Should explain plot
o Reflect character
o Convey theme
5. Rhythm
• The "music"
• Refers to sounds of the play
o Pacing
o Songs
o Dance
• Creates mood
6. Spectacle
• Something striking or impressive
• The coolness in the 5 C's of Theatre Appreciation
Climactic structure (Freytag's Triangle)
• Set up - exposition : who, what where
• Inciting incident - first conflict setting off action, protagonist pursues goal as a result
• Rising action - series of complications
• Climax - highest point in action where protagonist also changes personally
• Falling action - events leading to resolution
• Resolution - denouement : the aftermath