PLAY: ORIGIN, CHARACTERISTICS, ELEMENTS, SCRIPT - LITERATURE - 2025

A play is a genre or literary form whose main purpose is to recreate a story on stage. In a simple sense, this representation occurs through staging of scenes that are developed with the intervention of characters embodied by actors, who use dialogue to interact with each other. Examples of plays are Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare or Life is a dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca.

A theatrical work is carried out by means of a script, which establishes the guidelines or guidelines to be followed by each actor so that the story makes narrative sense. The theatrical script is developed by a playwright, who is a professional in charge of creating the dramatic texts.

Play. Source: pixabay.com.

Although several characters usually participate in a play and there are many conversations, this modality is not the only one. This means that there may be a script that establishes the participation of a single character (monologue).

There is also the case in which there is no dialogue structure, so the actions are developed through gestures; such is the case of the silent theater. In addition to the above described, a play is classified according to its narration, historical environment and artistic style.

Due to its narrative form, the work can be: tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, monologue, puppet theater, musical theater, black theater and drama. Now, in the sense of its artistic style and historical context it can be: Greek, oriental, baroque, modern, romantic, symbolist, expressionist, neoclassical, absurd, bourgeois and melodramatic.

Historically the play has served to recreate real or imaginary episodes with the intention of amusing, teaching, distracting or leaving a moral to the public. Its functionality is accompanied by music, lights, dances, costumes, sounds and other elements that give it vitality and strength.

Historical origin

The play has its origin in the 6th century BC. C., from the hand of Thespis and in times of Ancient Greece. At that time the Greeks made representations to thank and exalt the god Dionysus.

The performances of the worshipers were accompanied by dances and music, which were known as Dionysian dirithambs. With the passage of time the celebrations spread throughout the territory and began to have importance.

Ancient Greek theater. Source: pixabay.com.

Later, the play evolved in such a way that it not only served to worship gods, but also developed to entertain the public. This is how some writers focused on giving their texts theatrical form.

Evolution

With the passage of time, the plays were known in other nations. For example, in India they were performed to honor the deity known as Brahma. Then they were incorporated into the Roman Empire as a kind of holiday. Later the theater reached the Christian era, went through the Renaissance and reached our century.

Characteristics of the plays

This characteristic in a play refers to the distance that exists between the actors and the audience. The wall is imaginary, only mention is made of it to separate the reality from what happens or from the story that is represented with the staging.

However, the fourth wall can be broken by those who perform the play, with the aim of involving the audience. This aspect occurs especially in modern theater.

Example

The character who is against the protagonist addresses the audience to ask him if he has seen his enemy pass or ask him for some advice to defeat him.

- Purpose

The purpose of a play has to do with its objective, that is, if it seeks to entertain, make people laugh, teach or educate. This characteristic is set by the creator of the play (the playwright).

Example

Act I.

“Narrator: Juan, the youngest in the class and teacher Clara's favorite, with his high IQ, used to create a pleasant atmosphere in the classroom. However, his self-esteem declined by the day due to the frequent harassment of which he was a victim.

(Juan, his teacher and classmates in the classroom).

Ana Clara: Good morning my dear ones, please open your book to page number thirteen. Dear Juan! Could you do the reading?

Juan: With pleasure, teacher! ”.

Featured authors and works

- William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello and Macbeth.

- Lope de Vega: Fuenteovejuna, El caballero de Olmedo and Punishment without revenge.

- Miguel de Cervantes: The altarpiece of wonders, The portrait of Algiers, The Spanish gallant, The happy ruffian and The siege of Numancia.

- Federico García Lorca: Yerma, Mariana Pineda and La casa de Bernarda Alba.

- Pedro Calderón de la Barca: Life is a dream, The mayor of Zalamea and La dama duende.

Articles of interest

Parts of a play.

Types of play.

References

1. Imaginario, A. (2013-2019). Meaning of play. (N / a): Meanings. Recovered from: significados.com.
2. Play. (2019). Spain: Wikipedia. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org.
3. What are the parts of a play? (2017). (N / a): Don't Set Me A Scene. Recovered from: blog.teatroscanal.com.
4. Urrieta, J. (2018). Play. Colombia: Characteristics. Recovered from: caracteristics.co.
5. Characteristics of a play. (2019). (N / a): Meanings. Recovered from: significados.com.