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Modern drama places an emphasis on subtext-what lies beneath the words in the depths of the characters' psychology. In many respects, the subtext in modern drama is more eloquent than the actual words that are spoken by the characters. In traditional tragedy, the language is verse because it deals with lofty and profound ideals; is there any way that subtext can be equally lofty and profound in modern drama? Provide examples.

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Yes, in modern drama, the subtext can be...

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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of comedy?


A) suspension of natural laws
B) turning the notion of things upside down
C) sense that the universe is cruel and unfeeling

D) A) and C)
E) B) and C)

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With the plethora of comic book-based feature films there has been a surge recently in a heroic style of dramatic storytelling in film. Try to identify some examples that have elements in common with the heroic drama as defined in the textbook. Why is this form of storytelling so popular?

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Some examples of comic book-based featur...

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Contemporary plays that fit into the tragicomic genre are frequently referred to as dark comedies because they are filled with comical dialogue and many characteristics of comedy and yet the actual circumstances of the play and the actor's subtext are quite serious and realistic by contemporary standards. Make two separate lists: One list should have serious circumstances or actions (i.e. various forms of death, murder, robbery, war etc.); the second should have two or three characters for each of the items on your first list (i.e. father - mother - son, or teacher - student - parent, or boss and two coworkers, or friends or enemies, etc.). See how many darkly comic premises you might be able to develop through the use and various combinations of your two lists.

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List of serious circumstances or actions...

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Why might we tell ourselves tragic stories? Why would we want to subject ourselves to sadness, horror, and fear? How do you feel after witnessing a tragic play, movie, or television show?

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We might tell ourselves tragic stories a...

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The use of a word that sounds like the right word but actually is a different word altogether is the use of a(n)


A) epigram.
B) malaprop.
C) pun.
D) metaphor.

E) All of the above
F) B) and D)

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The text says that tragicomedy fuses the serious and comic. How can something be both? Can you give an example?

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Tragicomedy is a genre that blends elements of both tragedy and comedy. It can be both serious and comic because it uses the conventions of both genres to create a unique narrative experience. The serious elements often come from situations or circumstances that are inherently dramatic or sad, while the comic elements are usually derived from the characters' reactions to these situations, their interactions with each other, or unexpected twists in the plot. An example of tragicomedy is Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice". The play has a serious plot involving a merchant who risks his life for a loan, and a comic subplot involving a woman who disguises herself as a lawyer to save him. The serious and comic elements are intertwined throughout the play, creating a complex and layered narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Discuss whether it is possible to make a serious point through comedy. Give examples. Why would a dramatist choose comedy to make a serious point?

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It is absolutely possible to make a seri...

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Which of the following is NOT a technique of comedy?


A) verbal humor
B) comedy of character
C) plot complications
D) strong emphasis on suspense

E) None of the above
F) A) and C)

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Because we no longer have a society that believes in the concept of "the Gods" as they did in ancient Greece, traditional Greek tragedies are no longer feasible to consider for contemporary productions.

A) True
B) False

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Some tragicomedies, such as Shakespeare's Measure for Measure and All's Well That Ends Well, have been called


A) counterfeits.
B) antiplays.
C) problem plays.
D) farces.

E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

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When Horace Walpole said "This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel," he was probably NOT thinking


A) that life is often filled with irony.
B) that people are emotional beings.
C) one should think about one thing profoundly and a thousand things well.
D) that human beings might be the only living creatures capable of laughter.

E) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

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In many ways, melodrama seems to be the preferred form of entertainment for contemporary American society. Make a list of current movies and television shows that share the characteristics of melodrama. Why do you think such stories are so popular right now? What does it tell you about American society? Does this preference for melodrama spill over into other areas of daily life, such as politics?

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Current movies and television shows that share the characteristics of melodrama include "This is Us," "Grey's Anatomy," "Riverdale," "The Bold Type," "A Star is Born," "The Favourite," and "The Greatest Showman." These stories are so popular right now because they tap into the emotional experiences of everyday life and allow viewers to escape into a world of heightened emotions and dramatic events. Melodrama often features intense relationships, moral dilemmas, and larger-than-life moments that captivate audiences and provide a cathartic release. The popularity of melodrama in American society tells us that there is a desire for emotional engagement and a need for storytelling that delves into the complexities of human experience. It also reflects a cultural fascination with personal struggles and the pursuit of happiness. This preference for melodrama can spill over into other areas of daily life, including politics. Political campaigns and media coverage often rely on dramatic narratives and emotional appeals to capture public attention and sway opinions. This can lead to a focus on sensationalism and conflict, rather than rational debate and thoughtful discussion. Overall, the popularity of melodrama in entertainment and its influence on other aspects of society suggests that Americans are drawn to stories that evoke strong emotions and offer an escape from the mundane realities of life. It also highlights a cultural emphasis on individualism and personal fulfillment, which can shape attitudes and behaviors in various areas, including politics.

A humorous use of words with the same sound but different meanings is the use of a(n)


A) epigram.
B) malaprop.
C) pun.
D) simile.

E) B) and D)
F) A) and B)

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Which of the following would NOT be considered slapstick comedy?


A) A waiter smartly avoids slipping on a banana peel only to be hit by a swinging kitchen door.
B) A man dives under a bed, coyly avoiding his lovers' husband, only to have the husband jump in bed.
C) A woman watches her husband slowly die after giving him the wrong medication.
D) A woman wearing a large fancy hat in a five-star hotel gets the hat caught in a revolving door.

E) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

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C

Which kind of play do you prefer: a classic tragedy, a serious contemporary drama, a knockabout farce, a comedy, a musical? Can you explain why you prefer one type over the others?

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I prefer a serious contemporary drama. I...

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Many theories of tragedy require that the protagonist be of noble birth. Make a list of contemporary equivalents to nobility. Is tragedy possible in a democratic society? Would nobility of spirit be a substitute for noble birth? What might be the characteristics of a noble spirit? Can you think of any examples of characters that fit that description?

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In contemporary society, nobility of bir...

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Why is it necessary for natural laws to be suspended in order for comedy to take place? Is comic behavior that is performed without the suspension of natural laws tragicomedy? Discuss.

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It is necessary for natural laws to be s...

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Because existentialism suggests that characters have no personal history before the play begins, no background, and therefore no specific causes for their action, the structure of an existentialist play is often lacking in


A) exposition.
B) juxtaposition.
C) composition.
D) imposition.

E) All of the above
F) B) and C)

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A type of broad, exaggerated comedy that takes marriage and sex as objects of fun is called


A) domestic comedy.
B) bedroom farce.
C) comedy of infidelity.
D) sex satire.

E) A) and B)
F) All of the above

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