Study Tips/Inspirational: Studying a Play

Studying a Play

As we said previously, a play is meant to be acted, so that if possible, you should see a production of the play. If you are unable to see it on stage, then try to see a film, or listen to a production on the radio or a gramophone record. If you are unable to do any of these things, ask some friends to read it with you and if possible act as you read.

Read the play through for the first time. After this, read the play for the second time, summarizing as you go along. Keep your summaries short. Scenes in a play can do a number of things. For example, a scene may develop the story ; may develop a character ; may create an atmosphere ; may pass the time between two events ; may give dramatic relief ; may unravel the plot ; or may do a variety of these. Some plays have a main character who is more important than anyone else. Shakespeare's plays often have this element, and in the tragedies at least, these characters have a flaw in their personalities. Thus, in "Macbeth" the flaw is ambition ; in "Hamlet" it is indecision and in "Othello" jealousy.

Quotations are very important, as they are often the subject of what in an examination is called a context question. (Details of how to tackle this kind of question are given later). Because of this, it is important for you to incorporate in your notes as many quotations as possible.

In your summary of the play include :-

The essentials of the story.

The part played by the main characters.

The details of the personalities of the play. Their attitudes to other characters in the play.

Where the climax occurs (the most important part in the play). How the plot and sub-plots are handled and how the play is "unravelled" (reaching its dénouement of culmination).

The time element in the play.

You should now read the play again in considerably more detail. Add to your notes points on the following topics, but leave space in case anything more occurs to you later.

Write one page about the story. Consider whether the story is original or whether it was copied from another writer. Shakespeare's stories, for example, are not completely original.
Consider the characterization. Is there anything which motivates the main character's action? Consider the heroes and the villians. Pick out any obvious contrasts or similiarities between them?
Consider the date of the play. What is its background? Consider the edition of the play and the details surrounding its appearance. Are there any difficulties of language? If there are, these will require careful attention later. Some words used by Shakespeare, for example, had different meanings for him than for us. Special notes must be made of these.
What is the aim of the playwright? Do you think he has achieved his object?
Is it a comedy, tragedy, or history? Does it try to teach us sonething? If there are elements of tragedy, comedy and didacticism (instruction) find which is the most important and consider how they are blended.
Consider the dramatic abilities of the playwright. How does he set his scene? How does he create pathos or suspense? Does he keep the same quality throughout his play or does his writing ability vary considerably? Consider scenery, costume and movement.
Is the play written in verse or prose? If written in both media, consider why this is done. How is the transformation from one to the other accomplished?
One of the most important attributes of a good playwright is to handle dialogue properly. Consider how the playwright you are studying uses
(a) dialogue

(b) soliloquy (if any)
Did the playwright write for a special audience or a special theatre? Shakespeare, for instance, wrote for an open air theatre. It was special also in that no scenery was used. Some playwrights write for a satirical purpose, and there are various other types of plays - e.g., comedy of manners, miracle plays, morality plays, etc. Consider the use of special dramatic techniques - for example, dramatic irony.
Many dramatists have theories on dramatic art and form. Some have theories on the characters they are depicting. Find out how they evolve these theories in dramatic form. If you are reading Shaw for example, read his theories in the voluminous 'introductions' he has written to his plays and see how he works them out in the plays themselves.
How does the play end? Do you like the ending? Do the characters deserve the reward or fate accorded them?
You may be asked to give your own views on a scene or act. What impression has each part, and the whole of the play made on you?
Note : Remember that Shakespeare's plays have a definite structure. This is

(i) the introduction ; the setting of the scene,

(ii) the development of the action,

(iii) the climax of the play (the most important part where the play has become involved or when excitment is at its most intense),

(iv) the working out of the action (at this stage, it is possible to see how things are going to work out),

(v) the dénouement or the part where the problems are solved.

Also remember that in many of Shakespeare's comedies mistakes in identity occur. Be aware of this and be able to give reasons why they occur.

You must get to know your play really well. Ask your friends to read small quotations from the play to test your knowledge of it. Keep on reading your notes and also try to read criticisms of the play (if any) by famous commentators. Above all, find time to read the play again and again - there is no substitute for this. Quotations are most important. If the play is in blank verse, you must quote accurately. It is a good idea to learn whole passages by heart. If you have an opportunity to take part in an actual production of the play, of course this would be admirable and most helpful to you.