# drama

> formal type of literature intended for performance, where the text is written in the form of character lines and the author's remarks and is usually divided into acts and scenes

**Wikidata**: [Q25372](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25372)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drama)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/drama

## Summary
Drama is a formal type of literature intended for performance, where the text is written in the form of character lines and the author's remarks and is usually divided into acts and scenes. It is a literary mode that includes plays, theatrical works, and screenplays, and is one of the three classical literary forms alongside epic and lyric. Drama is performed by actors and often explores human experiences, emotions, and conflicts.

## Key Facts
- Drama is classified as a literary mode based on Aristotle's Poetics, alongside epic and lyric.
- It is a subclass of narrative literature and is intended for performance.
- Drama includes subgenres such as tragedy, melodrama, romantic drama, and legal drama.
- It is part of the broader field of literary studies and academic disciplines.
- Drama has been developed and performed across cultures, including Indian classical drama, radio drama, and Christian drama.
- Notable playwrights associated with drama include William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Bertolt Brecht, and Henrik Ibsen.
- Drama is used in television, film, and theatre, and can be adapted into other formats such as screenplays and Indian soap operas.

## FAQs
### What is drama?
Drama is a formal type of literature intended for performance, where the text is written in the form of character lines and the author's remarks and is usually divided into acts and scenes.

### What are the different types of drama?
Drama includes various subgenres such as tragedy, melodrama, romantic drama, legal drama, and Indian classical drama, among others.

### Who are some notable playwrights associated with drama?
Notable playwrights associated with drama include William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Bertolt Brecht, Henrik Ibsen, and many others from different cultures and time periods.

### What is the relationship between drama and other literary forms?
Drama is one of the three classical literary forms alongside epic and lyric, as classified by Aristotle's Poetics.

### How is drama used in different media?
Drama is used in theatre, television, film, and radio, and can be adapted into other formats such as screenplays and Indian soap operas.

### What is the significance of drama in literature and performance?
Drama is significant in literature and performance as it allows for the exploration of human experiences, emotions, and conflicts through performed narratives.

## Why It Matters
Drama matters because it serves as a fundamental form of storytelling that bridges literature and performance. It allows audiences to engage with complex human experiences, emotions, and social issues through the immediacy of live or recorded performance. Drama has the power to reflect, critique, and shape cultural values, making it an essential component of both artistic expression and social commentary. Its influence spans across theatre, film, television, and radio, impacting how stories are told and experienced globally.

## Notable For
- Being one of the three classical literary forms defined by Aristotle.
- Including a wide range of subgenres such as tragedy, melodrama, and romantic drama.
- Serving as the foundation for performance-based storytelling in theatre, film, and television.
- Featuring influential playwrights like William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, and Bertolt Brecht.
- Adapting to various cultural contexts, including Indian classical drama and Christian drama.
- Being a key component of academic study in literature and performance arts.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
Drama is defined as a formal type of literature intended for performance, where the text is written in the form of character lines and the author's remarks and is usually divided into acts and scenes. It is classified as one of the three classical literary forms alongside epic and lyric, based on Aristotle's Poetics. Drama is a subclass of narrative literature and is intended for performance.

### Subgenres and Types
Drama includes various subgenres such as:
- Tragedy, which is a form of drama based on human suffering that invokes an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in audiences.
- Melodrama, which exaggerates plot and characters to appeal to the emotions.
- Romantic drama, which dwells on the elements of romantic love.
- Legal drama, which is a genre of film, television, and theatre.
- Indian classical drama, which represents the dramatic tradition of classical India.
- Radio drama, which is the radio transmission of a recording of a play or dramatization of a literary work.
- Christian drama, which involves theatrical performances of Christian stories.
- Indian soap opera, which refers to soap operas written, produced, and filmed in India.

### Notable Playwrights and Dramatists
Drama has been shaped by numerous influential playwrights and dramatists, including:
- William Shakespeare, an English playwright and poet.
- Anton Chekhov, a Russian dramatist and author.
- Bertolt Brecht, a German poet, playwright, and theatre director.
- Henrik Ibsen, a Norwegian playwright and theatre director.
- Sophocles, an ancient Greek playwright.
- Lorraine Hansberry, known for her play "A Raisin in the Sun."
- Tennessee Williams, known for "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
- August Stramm, a German poet and playwright.
- Gerhart Hauptmann, a German dramatist who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1912.

### Cultural and Regional Variations
Drama has been adapted and performed across various cultures and regions, including:
- Indian classical drama, which represents the dramatic tradition of classical India.
- Indian soap opera, which refers to soap operas written, produced, and filmed in India.
- Christian drama, which involves theatrical performances of Christian stories.
- Radio drama, which is the radio transmission of a recording of a play or dramatization of a literary work.

### Drama in Media and Performance
Drama is used in various media and performance contexts, including:
- Theatre, where plays are performed live on stage.
- Film, where dramatic narratives are adapted for the screen.
- Television, where drama is a popular genre for series and movies.
- Radio, where radio drama is the radio transmission of a recording of a play or dramatization of a literary work.

### Academic and Literary Significance
Drama is a significant component of academic study in literature and performance arts. It is used to explore human experiences, emotions, and social issues through performed narratives. Drama has the power to reflect, critique, and shape cultural values, making it an essential component of both artistic expression and social commentary.

### Related Projects and Entities
Drama is related to various projects and entities, including:
- Screenplay, which is a written work by screenwriters for a film or television program.
- Indian classical drama, which represents the dramatic tradition of classical India.
- Legal drama, which is a genre of film, television, and theatre.
- Radio drama, which is the radio transmission of a recording of a play or dramatization of a literary work.
- Christian drama, which involves theatrical performances of Christian stories.
- Indian soap opera, which refers to soap operas written, produced, and filmed in India.

### Notable Works and Plays
Drama includes numerous notable works and plays, such as:
- "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry.
- "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by Tennessee Williams.
- "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" by Bertolt Brecht.
- "The Dybbuk" by S. Ansky.
- "The House of Bernarda Alba" by Federico García Lorca.
- "The Investigation" by Peter Weiss.
- "The L.A. Complex" as a television series.
- "The Living Corpse" by Leo Tolstoy.

### Drama in Education and Research
Drama is also a subject of academic research and education, with numerous scholars and institutions dedicated to its study. It is used as a tool for teaching literature, performance, and cultural studies. Drama is also used in therapeutic and educational settings to help individuals express themselves and develop communication skills.

## References

1. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q214887)
2. Nuovo soggettario
3. [Source](https://www.euskaltzaindia.eus/index.php?option=com_xslt&view=frontpage&layout=lth_detail&Itemid=474&search=drama)
4. BBC Things
5. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
6. UMLS 2023
7. ASC Leiden Thesaurus dataset of 5 June 2018
8. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/dramat;3894122.html)
9. National Library of Israel
10. KBpedia
11. GF WordNet
12. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)