Approaching plays

Do you want to get more out of drama? This free course, Approaching plays, is designed to develop the analytical skills you need for a more in-depth study of literary plays. You will learn about dialogue, stage directions, blank verse, dramatic structure and conventions and aspects of performance.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Approaching plays
• 1 Approaching plays
• 2 Dialogue
• 2 Dialogue
• 3 Stage directions
• 3 Stage directions
• 4 Blank verse
• 4 Blank verse
• 5 Play structure
• 5 Play structure
• 6 From text to performance
• 6 From text to performance
• 6.1 Performance and production
• 6.2 Performance and reception
• 6.3 Performance spaces
• 7 Dramatic conventions
• 7 Dramatic conventions
• 7.1 Soliloquy
• 7.2 Asides
• 7.3 Masks and disguises
• 7.4 Doubling
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• References
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements