This book is a superb all-in-one guide to success GCSE English Language and English Literature - GCSE English 2003

Reading Plays
Section Three — Drama

Plays Can Be Serious or Funny

Tragedy

1) Tragedies are the most serious kind of play and are about big topics — e.g. religion, love, death, war.

2) Tragedies are meant to be really moving and often have a moral message.

3) A tragedy tells the story of the downfall of the central character due to a character flaw.

4) Tragedies are sometimes set in an imaginary or past world.

The characters are often kings and queens or even gods and goddesses.

Comedy

1) Comedies are supposed to be lighthearted and make you laugh.

2) Events and characters are based on things that happen in real life, but are much more silly and exaggerated.

3) Comedies sometimes have a moral too — such as good triumphing over evil.

Dialogue is One Character Talking to Another

A Soliloquy is Thinking Out Loud

A soliloquy only involves one character (like a monologue). The character doesn't talk to anyone — they're just thinking out loud. Only the audience can hear what they're saying — other characters can't hear a thing.

Stage Directions Give More Detail About the Story

You can write about stage directions. They tell you lots about how the playwright wanted the play to look.

Never forget — plays are meant to be PERFORMED, not read You need to know how plays are different from books and poems to write about them properly. That may sound obvious but you'll lose lots of marks if you ignore the fact that the text is a play.