History of English Drama
Short Questions
1. What is drama?
- A performance with dialogue and action acted on stage.
2. Who coined the term ‘willing suspension of disbelief’?
- Samuel T. Coleridge.
3. Name one element of drama.
- Plot.
4. What is a one-act play?
- A short play with a complete story performed in one act.
5. What is the main difference between drama and a novel?
- Drama uses dialogue for performance; a novel uses narrative.
6. Name one type of comedy.
- Romantic Comedy.
7. What are Miracle plays?
- Early religious dramas in English.
8. Who is a famous Elizabethan dramatist?
- William Shakespeare.
9. What is a soliloquy?
- A character’s thoughts spoken aloud alone.
10. What is the focus of a one-act play’s plot?
- A single interesting episode.
11. Name one feature of a one-act play.
- Unity of time, place, and action.
12. What is the Restoration period known for?
- Comedy of Manners.
13. Who influenced modern realist drama?
- Henrik Ibsen.
14. What is a flat character?
- A character who doesn’t change in the story.
15. Name one modern dramatist.
- George Bernard Shaw.
Long Questions
1. What are the main elements of drama?
- The main elements are plot, characterization, dialogue, settings, stage directions, conflict, and theme. These work together to create a complete theatrical performance.
2. How is drama different from poetry?
- Drama is performed with dialogue and action on stage, while poetry uses rhythm and meter to express emotions. Drama focuses on visual and auditory storytelling, unlike poetry’s written form.
3. What is the importance of stage directions in a play?
- Stage directions guide actors’ movements, set design, lighting, and music. They help bring the dramatist’s vision to life on stage.
4. How did Elizabethan drama differ from modern drama?
- Elizabethan drama used open-air stages and blank verse, focusing on universal themes. Modern drama uses realistic settings and explores social and psychological issues.
5. What is the role of conflict in a drama?
- Conflict drives the plot and creates tension, engaging the audience. It is the essence of drama, pushing characters to act and resolve issues.
6. What are the features of a one-act play?
- A one-act play has a simple plot, limited characters, and unity of time, place, and action. It focuses on a single theme for a quick, impactful effect.
7. How did the Restoration period influence English drama?
- The Restoration period introduced Comedy of Manners, focusing on upper-class life. It brought witty dialogue and secular themes to the stage.
8. Why is setting important in a one-act play?
- The setting creates the play’s atmosphere and supports the story’s mood. It uses props and stage design to make the performance visually impactful.
Leave a Reply