dimensional ”. It refers to a character which shaped in a “single idea or quality”
2009: 43. The second type of character is a round character. It means a character that
is “complex in temperament and motivation” 2009: 43. There are six elements used in analyzing the characterization of a character
in a drama as stated by Christopher Russell Reaske in 1966. The following are the ways to analyze the character.
a. The appearance of the character
According to Reaske, a character can be described by the physical appearance, “in the mere appearance of the character, we locate our first
understanding of him” 1966: 46. The description by the playwright can give the insight to the reader about the characterization of a character through the
description of how he looks like and the way he dresses.
b. Asides and soliloquies
Reaske also adds another ways to analyze the characterization is by seeing the speech of a character. Asides and soliloquies are the ways to identify the
characterization through the speech in order to know what character’s wants. In this case, a character tells to the audience about his characteristics, as Reaske
gives the example, “if he is villain, he usually explains his evil intentions or at least his malicious hopes;” 1966: 46.
c. Dialogue between characters
“speaking to others also sheds a great deal of light on his personality” 1966: 47. The reader can get the understanding related with the characterization
through the speech between a character to the other characters.
d. Hidden Narration
The description about the characterization of a character can be seen through the opinion, thought, and idea of the other characters. As Reaske notes,
“One of the devices of characterization frequently employed is having one character in a play narrate something ab
out another character” 1966: 47.
e. Language
This is the very important aspect in analyzing the characterization of a character. The language of a character can be one way to identify the personality
of a character. Reaske explains , “In short, the way a character speaks and the
expressions he uses sh ould always be our first concern” 1966: 47-48.
Furthermore, the characterization can be observed by seeing the attitude while a character expresses the speech.
f. Character in action
As Reaske argues, “As the characters become more involved in the action
of the play we quite naturally learn more about them” 1966: 48. Moreover,
Reaske adds that the characters must have certain reasons in doing an action in a particular way on the stage.
Reaske provides several ways of
identifying the elements of characterization. They are the appearance of the character, asides and soliloquies,
dialogue between characters, hidden narration, language, and character in action. The knowledge about those elements of characterization is used to help the reader
in identifying the characterization of a character in a drama.
