Major Drama Genres and Subgenres: A Detailed Look
Major Drama Genres
Tragedy
Tragedy is a dramatic form in which the characters face a mysterious, unassailable, and unavoidable fate, often decreed by the gods. This leads to a fatal outcome, driven by a blind force—fate or fatum—usually foretold by oracles. Tragedies typically conclude with the death or physical and moral destruction of the protagonist, who is sacrificed due to their pride or hubris. Classical tragedies aim to generate catharsis in the audience.
Comedy
Comedy is a dramatic genre where the protagonists confront everyday challenges, driven by their flaws, towards humorous outcomes that mock human weakness. Originating in ancient Greece, it remains relevant today. The main character is often an archetype—a liar, braggart, charlatan, or lover—yet also naive and innocent.
Drama
Drama is the generic name for theater born in the 19th century, associated with Romanticism (romantic drama), and opposed to the norms established by Neoclassicism. It advocates for absolute freedom in form, rejecting the classical unities of time and place, and allowing a mix of prose and verse, comedy, and tragedy. The ending can be either happy or tragic. Its clearest antecedent is the Spanish Golden Age theater.
Opera
Opera (Italian for “musical work”) is a dramatic musical genre where the action is staged and sung with instrumental accompaniment.
Operetta
Operetta is a theatrical performance that, unlike opera, alternates between spoken and musical parts. In Spain, it is known as Zarzuela.
Minor Genres
Auto Sacramental
An Auto Sacramental is a one-act religious allegorical play, preferably representing the Eucharistic celebration of Corpus Christi. Popular between the 16th and 18th centuries until its ban in 1765, it often featured elaborate staging.
Melodrama
Melodrama is a non-realistic genre with complex stories and simple characters. It aims to evoke a superficial emotional response from the audience. There is a conflict of opposing values (moral, aesthetic, etc.) in any setting.
Tragicomedy
Tragicomedy is a non-realistic genre. The protagonist, usually an archetype, seeks an ideal (love, friendship, brotherhood, etc.). The plot is complex. Despite its name, it is not a mixture of comedy and tragedy.
Farce
Farce is a type of theatrical work with a plot based on quirky situations and characters, though credible. The word comes from the Latin “farcire” (to stuff), referring to the custom of using comic antics as brief interludes in serious dramas.
Entremés (or Paso)
An Entremés is a one-act comedic play featuring characters from the popular classes. It was performed during the Spanish Golden Age until its ban in 1780, between the first and second acts of a larger work. Later, it would be called Sainete. In Europe, the equivalent is a farce.
Sainete
A Sainete is a one-act comedic play with popular characters, performed as an intermediate or final act. It replaced the Entremés in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
Loa
A Loa is a short, laudatory dialogue in verse, performed before the first act of a comedy.