Performed as part of the
Mass, these dramas depicted scenes from the
Bible, particularly the Passion of Christ.

refers to a specific genre of
writing, typically plays, that is primarily
presented through dialogue and is intended for
performance.

This period saw the
emergence of structured drama with
the advent of mystery plays, miracle
plays, and morality plays.

These plays were part of a
larger cycle and were performed on pageant
wagons. Each guild was responsible for a different
play, such as the Creation, the Fall of Man, or the
Last Judgment.

This play follows the character
Everyman as he is summoned by Death and must
account for his life, teaching moral lessons about
the importance of good deeds and repentance.

particularly
the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, is
considered the golden age of English
drama. This era witnessed the rise of
professional playwrights, permanent
theaters, and a focus on humanism
and individualism.

Known for his mastery of the English
language and deep exploration of human nature, his works remain pivotal

is a comedic exploration of love and magic.

This play tells the story of
Faustus, who makes a pact with the devil in exchange for
knowledge and power, exploring themes of ambition, sin, and
redemption.

A satirical comedy that critiques greed and
corruption through the story of Volpone.

also known
as the Restoration era, marked the
revival of classical ideals in drama.
This period was characterized by a
return to the principles of order,
decorum, and rationality, influenced
by classical Greek and Roman
models.

A
quintessential comedy of manners that satirizes the
superficiality and hypocrisy of Restoration society,
focusing on the romantic entanglements of Mirabell
and Millamant.

This play is a lively comedy
that explores themes of love, betrayal, and gender
roles through the adventures of a group of English
cavaliers in Naples.

placed
emphasis on emotion, imagination,
and the individual’s connection to
nature. Drama in this era often took
the form of melodrama and poetic
drama, reflecting the bro

A tragic drama based
on a true story, exploring themes of tyranny, revenge,
and familial corruption.

is a dramatic poem combining
tragedy and the supernatural elements. It centers on
the tormented character of Manfred, who seeks
redemption for past sins.

A psychological drama
that delves into themes of jealousy, revenge, and the
destructive power of intense emotions.

witnessed a return
to realism and social commentary in
drama. This period saw the rise of
the well-made play and a focus on
detailed character development and
contemporary social issues.

A groundbreaking play
that critiques the traditional roles of women and
explores themes of individuality and self-discovery.

is a play that
explores themes of social class and transformation
through the story of Eliza Doolittle, a flower girl who is
transformed into a lady by Professor Higgins.

A
comedic play that satirizes Victorian society and its
obsession with social status, identity, and marriage.

This period was marked by
experimentation and a departure
from traditional forms. Playwrights
explored new techniques such as
expressionism and the theater of the
absurd to reflect the complexities
and uncertainties of the modern
world.

A social critique
disguised as a musical, addressing issues of capitalism,
poverty, and corruption through the story of the criminal
Macheath.

A poetic drama that
depicts the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket,
reflecting themes of faith, martyrdom, and power.

A seminal work of the
theater of the absurd, exploring themes of existentialism
and the human condition through the story of two tramps
waiting for the mysterious Godot.

This period continues
the experimentation of the modern
era but with greater emphasis on
deconstructing traditional narratives
and embracing eclectic and diverse
styles. This period is marked by its
questioning of reality and blending
of genres.

A
metatheatrical play that reimagines Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” from
the perspective of two minor characters, blending tragedy and
comedy while exploring themes of fate and free will.

A play characterized by its use of
Pinteresque pauses and ambiguity, exploring themes of power,
family dynamics, and psychological manipulation.

An innovative play that critiques
capitalist society and gender roles through a non-linear narrative
and a dinner party featuring historical and fictional women.

is the events in the play and the order in which the events are told. There is
no one correct way to structure a drama! However, the structure of a drama is
only as effective as it is intentionally formed to elicit the desired response from its
audience.

A play can be anywhere from a
few minutes to several hours.
Usually a play will be divided into
anywhere from one to five.
These usually hinge upon a
central plot point.

This is usually set in a
particular moment in time and
setting.v

are the dialogue that they speak to one
another. A long time ago, poems and plays were
often written in verse such as iambic pentameter,
so poems and plays shared the concept of their
structure

it can be made up of detailed backdrops,
specifically designed props, strategic lighting, and
sometimes even background noise.

the hero of the play. Usually the main
character or the character with the most
spoken lines, or the character around whom
all the other characters seem to orbit.

• the villain of the play, usually
  opposite the protagonist. Claudius
  would be an example of an
  antagonist.

in most plays, there is a wise old man or
figure of wisdom who guides the
protagonist.

a character who delivers news

this is a character meant to define another
character through juxtaposition or
comparison.

again, in most plays, there is usually a
love interest of the protagonist, though
not always.