The dramatic genre is one of the types of literary genres, being also called theatrical.
The word drama comes from the Greek term drama, which has the meaning of action. The genre is based on action and dialogue, with narration being a secondary feature in this type of text.
Texts are produced in proof or in verse and are used to bring dramatizations to life in film, theater or television. But, although it can be used in different media, it is in the theatrical world that the dramatic genre has its greatest use.
The emergence of the dramatic genre
The genus is very old and emerged during the historical period of Ancient Greece. For this reason, the dramatic texts produced in the period are popularly known as greek tragedy.
At that time, most of the texts produced represented stories of the gods worshiped in Greece. Three names of Greek dramatists stand out in history: Aeschylus (525 a. C - 456), Sophocles (497 a. C - 406) and Euripides (480 BC C - 406 a. Ç).
See some examples of the best known dramatic texts of these Greek authors are:
- Prometheus in Chains (Aeschylus)
- The Persians (Aeschylus)
- Antigone (Sophocles)
- Oedipus Rex (Sophocles)
- The Trojans (Euripides)
- Medea (Euripides)
Oedipus King, by Sophocles (496-406 a. C.), is one of the most famous Greek Tragedies.
Gender in Ancient Greece
At Ancient Greece, the dramatic genre dealt with passions and social or family disorders, provoking cathartic feelings in the audience. The reality of the time and of the members of the aristocracy was a constant presence in the texts, as well as the references to the Greek gods.
The space where the reenactments took place was also very important. Usually the performances took place outdoors, in theaters built in circular or semicircular shapes.
Ancient Greek Theater in the city of Athens.
Characteristics of the dramatic genre
The dramatic genre has some characteristics that are present in most texts.
THE catharsis it is one of the main ones and represents the existence of a cleansing and purification process within the presented story. The presence of subjects that provoke emotions or reflections is the representation of catharsis in the texts.
The main element of the dramatic genre text is a conflict, usually among the main characters, which permeates the entire story.
Other common features in the dramatic genre are:
- In most cases the dramatic text has no narrator.
- The text is usually written in second person singular or plural (you or you).
- Strong presence of body language and sign language.
- They occur mainly in the form of the monologues (a person) or dialogues (two or more people).
- In general, the texts are divided into three fundamental parts: beginning of the action (presentation), development of the central theme (conflict) and ending of the text (closure).
Read more about the meanings of Catharsis and Monologue.
Dramatic Genre Types
Dramatic texts can be presented in various types, such as tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy and farce.
Tragedy
The text staged in tragedy in general deals with stronger and more forceful themes or events that can provoke reflections, surprise or discussions in the public (catharsis).
In tragedies, the end of the story is almost always surprising or unfortunate.
Comedy
In the comedy text, the content gives the audience the opportunity to have fun, even if the text is about some serious matter. Comedy can, for example, through humor and satire, deal with social problems.
The characters are common people, often presented in a very stereotyped and comical way.
Tragicomedy
In tragicomedy, on the other hand, both elements of tragedy and elements that belong to comedy are present.
farce
The text called a fake is usually smaller and simpler than the other types. It is common for the farce to address less complex and more everyday subjects, making use of comic tools in the dialogues and in the staging.
Examples of Dramatic Genre
See the names of some well-known dramatic texts:
- The Auto da Compadecida (Ariano Suassuna)
- Razor in the flesh (Plínio Marcos)
- The Baron's Bones (Jorge de Andrade)
- Wedding Dress (Nelson Rodrigues)
- Romeo and Juliet (William Shakespeare)
- The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde)
- Waiting for Godot (Samuel Beckett)
Also read the meanings of theater, Drama, Epic and Epic.