Dramatic Texts: What They Are, Types, Characteristics And Examples
Since writing was invented, billions of lines and texts have been written. Some for purely informative purposes, others for dissertations or essays and others solely for the purpose of generating an elaborate narrative in order to enjoy a good story.
But sometimes a text is not created to be simply read. Sometimes a person is asked to sing or express their content in a specific way, and in some cases texts are created not to be read but to be performed before the public. This last case is that of dramatic texts about which we are going to talk throughout this article.
Anyone who receives the name of dramatic text writing that is prepared with the purpose of being performed in public not through mere reading but through theatrical performance In this type of text, one or several conflict situations between different characters are interpreted, which make up a story that is represented through the dialogues and actions of the actors. The action takes place in a specific setting set in a specific space and time, and the conflict in question develops over multiple scenes.
The dramatic text is one of the three main literary genres, along with narrative and lyric or poetry It shares with the first the fact of generating a story with an introduction, development and outcome, while it has in common with the second the fact of seeking a representation that is far from mere literal reading.
It is the base text of theater, although it should not be identified as a synonym for it since the dramatic text will only be the literary elaboration and not the representation itself. It also has the peculiarity that although the author of the text is one (who is called a playwright) the story that reaches the viewer comes not directly through the text but through the interpretation of the actors and the editing made by the director.
Likewise, this type of text must include not only what happens but also the way in which it does so: the appearance, gestures or tone that the aspects maintain, as well as general information about the scenery (luminosity, place and exact time). in which the action occurs, etc.) and the costumes.
Two types of text in one
One of the most relevant characteristics of the dramatic text is that for its proper development it is necessary that two different types of text be created at the same time, or else its interpretation could vary enormously and distort or completely change the story in question or its meaning.
First of all we can find the main text, which refers to the set of lines that express the dialogues (or monologues) of the characters and which is the main element that makes the story move forward. It also includes the division into acts, frames and scenes, as well as the development of the action itself
The second type of text is secondary text, which are the set of directions that the author makes in order to indicate how the scene in question is carried out: movement, environment, clothing or gesticulation would fall within this type of text.
Basic structure
Dramatic texts have a general basic structure, analogous to that of the narrative genre In this sense, we can find the existence of an approach or introduction in which the circumstances prior to the conflict and its staging are presented.
After this, the knot or development occurs, in which the conflict progresses in such a way that the characters try to confront it, reacting and acting to resolve it. Finally, the outcome would occur, in which after a climax where the conflict reaches its maximum intensity, an end to the conflict situation is reached (whether said ending is satisfactory or not for the characters).
In addition to this, another aspect to take into account is how not the conflict but the entire work itself is structured. In this sense, while a narrative may be divided into chapters In the case of the dramatic text the action is divided into acts paintings (which do not necessarily involve the lowering of the curtain as in the act but in which the decoration is changed) and scenes (marked by the characters and their entrances and exits).
The main dramatic genres
Within dramatic texts we can find different types of genre. Yes ok There are various subgenres such as hors d’oeuvres, farce or vaudeville, or even opera the three dramatic genres are generally considered to be the following.
Drama
Drama is one of the first and main dramatic genres (not in vain, the name of the genre comes from the Greek word to refer to the action of acting).
It represents the existence of a conflict that is resolved throughout various scenes. It usually has a serious and realistic tone and presents great reflections regarding various topics, although it does not necessarily have to be sad.
Tragedy
Another of the great genres within this literary genre is tragedy, which It is characterized by presenting severe and solemn conflicts the characters being doomed to an extreme destiny or outcome and generally linked to death.
Often the characters are well-known and respected characters or heroes, and they feature the expression of powerful emotions that are difficult to control and generally a desperate action to avoid a misfortune from which they cannot escape.
Comedy
The third of the three great dramatic genres, in comedy we observe a type of work aimed at the search for a happy ending, always with a humorous tone and trying to make the viewer laugh and enjoy It usually deals with different aspects of everyday life and the acceptance of imperfection and the peculiarity of the events, situations and characters that are interpreted in it prevails.
An example of dramatic text
In order to make it clearer what a dramatic text is, below we leave you with a fragment of William Shakespeare’s work, Hamlet. Specifically, it is a fragment of the fourth scene of the third act: the moment in which Hamlet performs his well-known soliloquy.
“ Hamlet (soliloquy)
To be or not to be, that is the question. Which is a more worthy action of the mind, to suffer the penetrating shots of unjust fortune, or to oppose one’s arms to this torrent of calamities, and put an end to them with daring resistance? To die is to sleep. No more? And through a dream, we will say, the afflictions ended and the pains without number, heritage of our weak nature?…
This is a term we should eagerly apply for. Dying is sleeping… and maybe dreaming. Yes, and see here the great obstacle, because considering what dreams may occur in the silence of the tomb, when we have abandoned this mortal remains, is a very powerful reason to stop.
This is the consideration that makes our unhappiness so long. Who, if this were not the case, would put up with the slowness of the courts, the insolence of the employees, the outrages that peacefully receive the merit of the most unworthy men, the anguish of a poorly paid love, the insults and brokenness of age, the violence of tyrants, the contempt of the proud?
When he who suffers this, he could obtain his stillness with only a dagger. Who could tolerate so much oppression, sweating, groaning under the weight of an annoying life if it were not that the fear that there is something beyond Death (that unknown country whose limits no walker returns) embarrasses us with doubts and makes us suffer the evils that surround us; rather than go looking for others that we are not sure about?
This foresight makes us all cowards, thus the natural tincture of courage is weakened by the pale varnishes of prudence, the most important enterprises for this sole consideration change path, are not executed and are reduced to vain designs. But… the beautiful Ophelia! Funny girl, I hope my flaws will not be forgotten in your prayers.
Ophelia
How have you felt, sir, all these days?
Hamlet
Thank you so much. Good.
Ophelia
I keep in my possession some of your expressions, which I wanted to return to you a long time ago, and I ask you to take them now.
Hamlet
No, I never gave you anything.
Ophelia
You know well, sir, that I tell you the truth. And with them you gave me words, with such a soft breath composed that they extremely increased their value, but once that perfume has dissipated, receive them, for a generous soul considers the most opulent gifts as vile, if the affection of the one who gave them becomes lukewarm. See them here.
Hamlet
Oh! Oh! Are you honest?
Ophelia
Mister…
Hamlet
You are beautiful?
Ophelia
What do you mean with that?
Hamlet
That if you are honest and beautiful, you should not allow your honesty to deal with your beauty.
Ophelia
Can beauty have a better companion than honesty?
Hamlet
Without a doubt none. The power of beauty will turn honesty into a pimp, before honesty can give beauty its likeness. This was once considered a paradox; but in the present age it is a proven thing… I loved you before, Ofelia.
Ophelia
That’s how you made me understand.
Hamlet
And you should not have believed me, because virtue can never be ingested so perfectly into our hardened trunk that it takes away that original resentment… I have never loved you.
Ophelia
I was very deceived.
Hamlet
Look, go to a convent, why do you have to expose yourself to being the mother of sinful children? I am moderately good; but considering some of the things I can accuse myself of, it would be better if my mother had not given birth to me.
I am very arrogant, vengeful, ambitious; with more sins on my head than thoughts to explain them, fantasy to give them form, nor time to carry them out. To what end should miserable people like me exist dragged between heaven and earth? We are all famously evil; Don’t believe any of us, go, go to a convent… Where is your father? (…)
