Prose Drama vs. Poetic Drama

Prose Drama vs.
Poetic Drama
Exploring the Dichotomy and Characteristics
Introduction
 Drama is a versatile genre encompassing various forms and styles.
 Prose and poetic drama are two primary categories that differ in structure, language, and
presentation.
 In this presentation, we will delve into the characteristics, types, examples, and
dichotomy of prose and poetic drama.
Prose Drama
Characteristics
 Language: Written in ordinary language, resembling everyday speech.
 Structure: Follows a natural flow with minimal or no specific rhyme or meter.
 Realism: Often focuses on realistic portrayal of characters and situations.
 Versatility: Allows for diverse themes and settings.
Types of Prose Drama

1. Naturalistic Drama: Emphasizes detailed realism and often explores darker aspects of
life.
 Example: Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House."
2. Comedy of Manners: Satirical and witty, highlighting the foibles of high society.
 Example: Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest."
3. Domestic Drama: Focuses on family life, relationships, and domestic issues.
 Example: Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire."
4. Absurdist Drama: Often characterized by surreal and illogical elements, focusing on the
meaninglessness of human existence.
 Example: Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot."
5. Farce: Emphasizes humor, physical comedy, and absurd situations, often involving
mistaken identities and misunderstandings.
 Georges Feydeau's "A Flea in Her Ear."
6. Tragicomedy: Blends elements of tragedy and comedy, offering a mix of humor and
serious themes.
 Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead."
7. Political Drama: Explores political themes, power struggles, and social issues.
 Example: Bertolt Brecht's "The Threepenny Opera."
8. Historical Drama: Set in a specific historical period, often featuring real historical figures
and events.
 Example: Friedrich Schiller's "Mary Stuart."
9. Melodrama: Exaggerated emotions, clear moral conflicts, and often featuring virtuous
heroes and evil villains.
 Example: Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables."
10. Psychological Drama: Explores the inner workings of the human mind and emotions,
often delving into complex psychological states.
 Example: Henrik Ibsen's "Ghosts."
Poetic Drama
Characteristics
 Language: Utilizes heightened, lyrical language with rhyme, rhythm, and meter.
 Structure: Often adheres to specific poetic forms (e.g., blank verse, rhymed couplets).
 Symbolism: Symbolic and allegorical elements may be prevalent.
 Elevated Themes: Tends to explore profound, philosophical, or mythological subjects.
Types of Poetic Drama

1. Tragedy: Explores the downfall of a central character due to their own flaws or external
forces.
 Example: Shakespeare's "Macbeth."
2. Comedy: Uplifting and humorous, typically ending with reconciliation and harmony.
 Example: Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
3. History Play: Depicts historical events or figures in poetic form.
 Example: Shakespeare's "Henry IV."
4. Epic Theatre: Developed by Bertolt Brecht, it emphasizes critical and didactic elements
to provoke thought and reflection in the audience.
 Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children."
5. Symbolist Drama: Symbolism is a key feature, with an emphasis on dreamlike,
allegorical narratives.
 Maurice Maeterlinck's "Pelléas et Mélisande."
6. Verse Drama: Written entirely in verse, often adhering to specific poetic forms.
 Christopher Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus."
7. Romantic Drama: Explores themes of love, passion, and idealism with a focus on
emotional intensity.
 Lord Byron's "Manfred."
8. Expressionist Drama: Emphasizes the emotional and psychological experiences of
characters, often using distorted and abstract techniques.
 Georg Kaiser's "From Morn to Midnight."
9. Surrealist Drama: Influenced by the Surrealist movement, it often features dreamlike and
irrational elements.
 Antonin Artaud's "The Cenci."
10. Metaphysical Drama: Explores philosophical and metaphysical themes, often employing
complex symbolism and allegory.
 T.S. Eliot's "The Cocktail Party."
Dichotomy: Prose vs. Poetry

Dichotomy
 Language: Highlight the difference in language styles.
 Poetic drama uses verse and artistic language.
 Prose Drama uses everyday language. * no poetic elements
 Structure: Explain how they differ in terms of structure and use of verse.
 Prose Drama: Typically employs sentences and paragraphs for dialogue
and narrative, resembling regular conversational language.
 Poetic Drama: Often incorporates stanzas, verse, and poetic elements in

the dialogue and structure, creating a more rhythmic and stylized form of
expression.
Influence and Evolution
 Classical Greek Drama: Often written in poetic form (e.g., Sophocles' tragedies).
 Shakespearean Drama: Masterfully blended prose and poetry.
 Modern Theatre: A mix of both forms, with experimentation and innovation.
Conclusion
 Prose and poetic drama offer distinct experiences and storytelling approaches.
 Both have evolved over time and continue to influence contemporary theater.
 Understanding their characteristics and dichotomy enriches our appreciation of dramatic
literature.

Prose Drama vs. Poetic Drama

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Prose Drama vs. Poetic Drama

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Prose Drama vs. Poetic Drama

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Prose Drama vs.

Types of Prose Drama

Types of Poetic Drama

Dichotomy: Prose vs. Poetry

 Poetic Drama: Often incorporates stanzas, verse, and poetic elements in

You might also like