THE 1041 Midterm Study Guide
1) Read Chapter 1: Mapping Reality in your textbook Theatrical Worlds
Pay special attention to the section “How to Read a Play.”
2) How did theater begin?
Theater began in ancient rituals and religious ceremonies, evolving into a formal art form in
ancient Greece, where tragedy and comedy emerged around the 6th century BCE. Greek
theater, with playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides, explored moral and human themes.
Later, Roman theater emphasized spectacle, and medieval Europe saw the rise of religious
mystery and morality plays. Thus, theater developed from ritual into structured performance,
reflecting societal values.
theatre= art and acting
- “playing” someone’s character
- Mimesis= imitation of an action
- production= onstage with live actors, script
3) What is the role of theater in today’s culture?
Theater entertains, reflects society, and fosters community. It provides a space for artistic
expression, tackles social and cultural issues, and brings people together through shared live
experiences. Theater remains a vital part of modern culture
4) Aristotle’s Poetics
Aristotle's Poetics is a key work on drama, especially tragedy. It emphasizes mimesis (imitation
of life) and defines tragedy as a genre that evokes catharsis (emotional cleansing). Key
elements include a noble character with a tragic flaw, a structured plot with reversal and
recognition, and strong characters. It remains influential in understanding drama's structure
and emotional power.
Catharsis
- feels pitty for the hero because of what happened nut feel bad for themselves because
even a hero can xperince something so bad
According to Aristotle and theatre=
- Theatre is about important things not common
- different rhyme, rhythm, metaphors
- about important issues
- Have the complete beginning middle and end
- in the form of action not narrative- “show not tell”
, 5) Know the definition of tragedy
Tragedy is a dramatic genre that depicts the serious experiences of a central character, often a
noble figure, facing suffering and moral dilemmas. Key elements include:
● Tragic Flaw (Hamartia): A character defect leading to downfall.
● Conflict: Struggles between opposing forces resulting in loss.
● Catharsis: Emotional release for the audience through pity and fear.
● Inevitability: The sense that the tragic outcome is unavoidable.
Overall, tragedy explores the complexities of human experience and the consequences of
actions
6) Know the 6 elements of tragedy–in order
6 elements of tragedy
1) plot- overall structure of the play. Most important element. It is the dramatic action.
2) character- the i boldest of the people on stage that’s re excusing the action. Physical,
social, physiological, moral- all applies to a character, why are they doing it, what's
necessary. Revealed through stage directions.
3) thought/ theme- overall meaning of the play. Present in all plays, gives unity and purpose
to everything that happens int he play, don’t confuse it with moral, The “big idea” that the
audience should take away after watching the play
4) diction- playwrights primary means of expression- give information about the story,
setting, and character. Direct attention to important plot elements, reveal the theme,
establish tone or mood, tempo and rythm. Lanaguage in the play must be appropriate to
the characters, situation, time period, or levels of probability and the genre of the play
5) melody/ song- patterned sound and its tempo. Rythm is important and it can serve the
following functions- establish mood and enhance expectations, establish the level of
probability, speed up characterization and exposition if needed, lend variety, and give
pleasure. Everything you hear
6) spectacle- everything you see. Visual elements. Such as movement of the actors,
lighting, set, costume, makeup, prop. Helps set mood and and establish character,
provides visual background, and entertain the audience. Puts this at least important
because even with visual and all the effects in the story telling that is important
7) Who was Aristotle?
- he was a Greek philosopher who described the elements of theate in the poetics
- He was the great disciple of Plato, but argued in favor of poets and poetry. He believed
that poetry was not only pleasant but also useful for man and society
- The poetics published in about 335 BCE, is a systematic exposition of the theory and
practice if poetry that has been highly influential in Western culture
- thinks all drama should have
1) dramatic inflict- so it’s entertaining
1) Read Chapter 1: Mapping Reality in your textbook Theatrical Worlds
Pay special attention to the section “How to Read a Play.”
2) How did theater begin?
Theater began in ancient rituals and religious ceremonies, evolving into a formal art form in
ancient Greece, where tragedy and comedy emerged around the 6th century BCE. Greek
theater, with playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides, explored moral and human themes.
Later, Roman theater emphasized spectacle, and medieval Europe saw the rise of religious
mystery and morality plays. Thus, theater developed from ritual into structured performance,
reflecting societal values.
theatre= art and acting
- “playing” someone’s character
- Mimesis= imitation of an action
- production= onstage with live actors, script
3) What is the role of theater in today’s culture?
Theater entertains, reflects society, and fosters community. It provides a space for artistic
expression, tackles social and cultural issues, and brings people together through shared live
experiences. Theater remains a vital part of modern culture
4) Aristotle’s Poetics
Aristotle's Poetics is a key work on drama, especially tragedy. It emphasizes mimesis (imitation
of life) and defines tragedy as a genre that evokes catharsis (emotional cleansing). Key
elements include a noble character with a tragic flaw, a structured plot with reversal and
recognition, and strong characters. It remains influential in understanding drama's structure
and emotional power.
Catharsis
- feels pitty for the hero because of what happened nut feel bad for themselves because
even a hero can xperince something so bad
According to Aristotle and theatre=
- Theatre is about important things not common
- different rhyme, rhythm, metaphors
- about important issues
- Have the complete beginning middle and end
- in the form of action not narrative- “show not tell”
, 5) Know the definition of tragedy
Tragedy is a dramatic genre that depicts the serious experiences of a central character, often a
noble figure, facing suffering and moral dilemmas. Key elements include:
● Tragic Flaw (Hamartia): A character defect leading to downfall.
● Conflict: Struggles between opposing forces resulting in loss.
● Catharsis: Emotional release for the audience through pity and fear.
● Inevitability: The sense that the tragic outcome is unavoidable.
Overall, tragedy explores the complexities of human experience and the consequences of
actions
6) Know the 6 elements of tragedy–in order
6 elements of tragedy
1) plot- overall structure of the play. Most important element. It is the dramatic action.
2) character- the i boldest of the people on stage that’s re excusing the action. Physical,
social, physiological, moral- all applies to a character, why are they doing it, what's
necessary. Revealed through stage directions.
3) thought/ theme- overall meaning of the play. Present in all plays, gives unity and purpose
to everything that happens int he play, don’t confuse it with moral, The “big idea” that the
audience should take away after watching the play
4) diction- playwrights primary means of expression- give information about the story,
setting, and character. Direct attention to important plot elements, reveal the theme,
establish tone or mood, tempo and rythm. Lanaguage in the play must be appropriate to
the characters, situation, time period, or levels of probability and the genre of the play
5) melody/ song- patterned sound and its tempo. Rythm is important and it can serve the
following functions- establish mood and enhance expectations, establish the level of
probability, speed up characterization and exposition if needed, lend variety, and give
pleasure. Everything you hear
6) spectacle- everything you see. Visual elements. Such as movement of the actors,
lighting, set, costume, makeup, prop. Helps set mood and and establish character,
provides visual background, and entertain the audience. Puts this at least important
because even with visual and all the effects in the story telling that is important
7) Who was Aristotle?
- he was a Greek philosopher who described the elements of theate in the poetics
- He was the great disciple of Plato, but argued in favor of poets and poetry. He believed
that poetry was not only pleasant but also useful for man and society
- The poetics published in about 335 BCE, is a systematic exposition of the theory and
practice if poetry that has been highly influential in Western culture
- thinks all drama should have
1) dramatic inflict- so it’s entertaining
