Dramatic poetry, also called dramatic verse or dramatization, is a type of writing that tells stories and connects with the reader through emotion or behavior. Dramatic poetry is closely related with acting. It can be performed either verbally or vocally. It is distinguished from prose by its use of a set meter or rhyme pattern. Although it has changed over time, the meter pattern is still used in opera librettos. It is difficult to define what constitutes a dramatic poem because there are no clear guidelines. However, four forms of dramatic poetry are generally accepted: soliloquy (serious monologue), character sketch, dialogue, and character sketch.
The past
Ancient Greeks went to the theatre to enjoy live theater plays, just as they do today. Playwrights attempted to make it easier for actors to memorize their parts quickly. As time went on, actors, writers, and general public started to favor a more free-flowing style. The Renaissance saw plays that were a mixture of prose and rhymes or metered sections. Unrestricted speech eventually became the standard. Dramatic poetry survived though, mainly because opera librettos allowed rhymes to be used with musical phrases.
Important Features
This poetry is composed of the spoken and/or performed actions of at most one person in order to portray a scene or plot. This type of poetry is not like plain narrative. The focus is on how the individual reacts or controls what is happening. The story is often told through the point of view of the character, giving an insight into his life, past and hopes.
It is easier to make a fictional character feel or act as if someone can physically show it. Dramatic poetry can stand out from other forms because it does not rely on words that are just read. This type of literature and acting have strong ties. Actors and actresses practice it.
The text is also known for its rhymes and verse form. This makes it feel rhythmic. This is something writers often consider when creating a dramatic poem. They want the person who delivers the lines to be able and confident in their delivery, as well as the audience to get the meaning of what they are saying. This naturalness is difficult to achieve. However, everyday speech tends to be more prose-like, so some writers are reluctant to use it.
Documents
Dramatic poetry comes in many forms. While any of these formats can stand alone, when writing plays, one might use several styles, depending on how the play is being developed. Even though some actors and actresses specialize, they are capable of seamlessly switching between forms.
Soliloquy is a dialogue between characters that is primarily directed at themselves and not with others. This is often a great way for a character to express his thoughts, desires, or plans. The best example of this is from Hamlet by William Shakespeare. In it, Hamlet asks whether it’s better to live or die.
Dramatic monologues are very similar to soliloquys in that they reveal something about the speaker. This monologue is different because the actor is speaking to another person in the play and not only himself. Although they don’t speak, their presence can make the speech seem more real. This dramatic poetry is usually found during crucial moments of the plot.
A character sketch is a way for a writer to get the audience to feel something about the character. Feelings can range from sympathy to hatred to anything in between. However, this usually leads to a better theater experience. The primary role is that of observer.
Two people must engage in dialogue. They can exchange lines of communication to take action, share information, or just tell their stories. This form offers actors the opportunity to interact naturally with one another and avoid the need for rehearsals.
It is important to keep the rhythm and meter consistent between both speakers when using it for dramatic poetry. However, he must make each person seem distinct. The scene can become too chaotic or disjointed if the rhyme scheme or meter is changed dramatically between the speakers. One example is
The obscure waters
By William Butler Yeats
Discuss
There are no clear guidelines as to what makes text poetic. Sometimes the line between structured writing and straight prose is blurred. This leaves the definition of dramatic poems open to interpretation. Sometimes, “regular” poems are adapted to the stage. To further complicate matters, it is equally important to know what someone does with the text when trying to categorize various works.
