1. Performance-Based:
* Drama is designed to be acted out, not merely read. This means the text is written with stage directions, character interactions, and dialogue specifically intended for performance.
* The audience's experience is vital. Unlike a novel, where the reader creates the world in their head, drama relies on the actors, set design, lighting, and sound to create the world for the audience to experience.
2. Dialogue-Driven:
* Dialogue is the backbone of drama. Characters interact through dialogue, revealing their personalities, motivations, and relationships.
* The playwright uses language to advance the plot, create conflict, and build suspense. Dialogue in drama often uses specific language patterns and rhythms that enhance the theatrical experience.
3. Conflict as a Catalyst:
* Drama thrives on conflict. This conflict can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or with society).
* Conflict fuels the narrative, driving the action and creating tension that keeps the audience engaged.
4. Limited Narrative Structure:
* Drama often adheres to a more structured narrative than prose. It typically follows a clear beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
* While plays can deviate from this structure, the focus remains on creating a compelling and coherent story that unfolds within a defined timeframe.
5. The Power of the Subtext:
* What is *not* said can be as powerful as what is said. Drama often uses subtext - unspoken meanings, emotions, and intentions - to create depth and complexity.
* The actors must interpret the subtext and convey it to the audience through their performance.
6. Emphasis on Visual and Auditory Elements:
* Drama uses visual elements (set design, costumes, lighting) and auditory elements (sound effects, music) to enhance the storytelling.
* These elements help create atmosphere, mood, and a specific sense of time and place.
7. The "Fourth Wall" and the Audience's Role:
* Traditionally, drama creates a fictional world separated from the audience by an imaginary "fourth wall." This barrier allows the audience to observe and experience the events of the play without directly participating.
* However, playwrights can break the fourth wall, directly addressing the audience and blurring the lines between reality and fiction. This can create a more intimate and engaging experience for the audience.
In summary, drama is a unique literary form that thrives on performance, dialogue, conflict, and a structured narrative. Its focus on visual and auditory elements and the power of subtext creates a powerful and immersive theatrical experience for the audience.