Elements of Theatrical Texts: Dialogue, Structure, Characters
Theater Texts
In theatrical or dramatic texts, there are two possibilities for representation: Reading, which may be performed individually, and representation, which occurs on stage, bringing the written work to life.
Dialogues
Dialogues, the conversations between characters, are usually the fundamental elements of the play, driving the action. The font appearance in the written text often indicates dialogue. There is no narrator: the author assigns the words directly to the characters.
The main functions of dialogue are to:
- Present the characters
- Show their personalities
- Develop the action
Modalities of Dialogue
- Dialogue: Between characters sharing situations on stage, with alternating interventions from each.
- Narrative Monologue: Used to inform other characters and the reader-spectator about events happening offstage.
- Aside: Helps the character express, in a low voice pretending discretion, their true feelings about an event or situation.
- Soliloquy or Monologue: A character, alone on stage, thinks aloud, expressing their feelings.
- Mediated Monologue: The character speaks via phone, radio, or other media with another person who is offstage.
Stage Directions
In the theatrical text, besides dialogues, another type of writing exists with its own functions: stage directions. These are indications the author includes to point out certain aspects of the play’s staging. They usually appear in parentheses and/or with different fonts. Their function is instructional, and they are mainly used to:
- Connect scenes to the type of space where they occur.
- Place objects on stage, specify their arrangement, lighting, etc.
- Report character entrances and exits, their locations, and movements.
- Describe the physical aspects (physiognomy, clothing) and psychological traits of characters, or specify gestures and the tone for delivering dialogues.
Dramatic Structure
The dramatic action is usually divided into acts, parts corresponding to different moments of dramatic tension. Events are organized into scenes, fragments marked by a character’s entrance or exit. Sometimes, the division uses frames, corresponding to text developed in the same location. The internal structure of the theatrical text is typically organized into a beginning, middle, and end.
Characters
In the play, characters are presented directly: they reveal their characteristics through their actions and dialogues. A theatrical character can be defined by:
- The name: Can signify a character trait.
- Physical appearance: Gestures, movements, costumes.
- Psychological characteristics: Behavior shown on stage in relation to other characters.
- Mode of speech: Can reflect a particular register based on the character type.
Genre
The basic dramatic genres include tragedy, drama, and comedy.
Linguistic Features of Theatrical Text
Key linguistic features include:
- Abundance of personal pronouns and deictics.
- Abundance of vocatives and nicknames.
- Use of different registers (formal, informal, etc.).
- Presence of conversational markers.