Definition of the Play Kinds of Play In a strict sense, plays are classified as being either tragedies or

7

CHAPTER II THEORITICAL REVIEW

2.1 Play A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of

scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed or read. The term play can refer to both the written works of playwrights and to their complete theatrical performance.

2.1.1. Definition of the Play

According to Hornby, 1995:351 Drama is the art of writing and performing. Waluyo 2001:3 states that if the stage and the script are compared, the stage is more dominant than the script. This is where the comparative literature takes place. Meanwhile, Reaske 1966:17 states that the process of defining the play is tremendously aided by reference to the kind of play and the conventions of that kind of play. From the statement it can be stated that play is a type of literature that uses a lot of dialogue and is meant to be performed in front of an audience; also called a play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than reading. The term play can refer to both the written works of playwrights and to their complete theatrical performance. Universitas Sumatera Utara 8 Play is often combined with music and dance: the drama in opera is sung throughout; musicals include spoken dialogue and songs; and some forms of drama have regular musical accompaniment . Play has been written to be read rather than performed. In improvisation, the play does not pre-exist the moment of performance; performers devise a dramatic script spontaneously before an audience.

2.1.2 Kinds of Play In a strict sense, plays are classified as being either tragedies or

comedies. The broad difference between the two is in the ending. Comedies end happily. Tragedies end on an unhappy note. The tragedy acts as a purge. It arouses our pity for the stricken one and our terror that we ourselves may be struck down. As the play closes we are washed clean of these emotions and we feel better for the experience. A classical tragedy tells of a high and noble person who falls because of a tragic flaw, a weakness in his own character. A domestic tragedy concerns the lives of ordinary people brought low by circumstances beyond their control. Domestic tragedy may be realistic seemingly true to life or naturalistic realistic and on the seamy side of life. A romantic comedy is a love story. The main characters are lovers; the secondary characters are comic. In the end the lovers are always united. Farce is comedy at its broadest. Much fun and horseplay enliven the action. The comedy of manners, or artificial comedy, is subtle, witty, and often mocking. Sentimental comedy mixes sentimental emotion with its humor. Melodrama has a plot filled with Universitas Sumatera Utara 9 pathos and menacing threats by a villain, but it does include comic relief and has a happy ending. It depends upon physical action rather than upon character probing. Tragic or comic, the action of the play comes from conflict of characters how the stage people react to each other. These reactions make the play. So, from the description it can be said that: • Commedy is The lead character overcomes the conflicts and overall look of the comedy is full of laughter and the issues are handled very lightly. • Tragedy Aristotle’s definition of tragedy: A tragedy is the imitation in dramatic form of an action that is serious and complete, with incidents arousing pity and fear wherewith it effects a catharsis of such emotions. The language used is pleasurable and throughout appropriate to the situation in which it is used. The chief characters are noble personages “better than ourselves,” says Aristotle and the actions they perform are noble actions.

2.2 Free Will And Fate