“It is through characterization rather than through conflict that a dramatic work achieve

its impact.”
With reference to ONE Shakespearean tragedy or romance AND ONE work of Modern
Drama that you have studied, discuss the validity of this statement.

Many playwrights utilize various techniques including conflict and characterization to

achieve the intended impact they wish to portray to the audience as well as to emphasize the

main theme of their work. Using the two tragic plays, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine

Hansberry and William Shakespeare’s, Antony and Cleopatra, the validity of the statement: “It is

through characterization rather than through conflict that a dramatic work achieve its impact,”

will be explored.

Characterization in literature can be defined as the act of creating and describing characters.

In drama characterization can be achieved through actions, descriptions, monologues, dialogues,

and much can even be revealed about a character in the various stage directions. It is an

important aspect of any drama as it helps the audience to truly understand and relate to the

different characters of the play. It also assists in helping the audience to truly understand and

grasp the main concepts and themes the playwright hopes to convey. Conflict on the other hand,

is a struggle that gets in the way of a character’s initial plan. An article posted by MasterClass

suggests that conflict means thwarted, endangered, or opposing desire; It's basically when a

character wants something but something else gets in the way. Its main importance is that

conflict provides the necessary tension in the drama as well as it is used to advance the narrative.

It is often used to reveal a deeper meaning while highlighting characters' motivations, values, and

weaknesses.

The characterization of the main characters in Antony and Cleopatra is very important as it

helps us to get an understanding of the character even before the character is introduced.For
example in ACT I SCENE I of the play, the first example of characterization and the audience’s

first impression of both Antony and Cleopatra was formed from the dialogue between two of

Antony’s Roman soldiers, Philo and Demetrius.

Nay, but this dotage of our general’s

O’erflows the measure. Those his goodly eyes,

That o’er the files and musters of the war

Have glowed like plated Mars, now bend, now turn

The office and devotion of their view

Upon a tawny front. His captain’s heart,

Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst

The buckles on his breast, reneges all temper

And is become the bellows and the fan

To cool a gypsy’s lust.

Through this statement, the audience gets the impression that Mark Antony is a general. One that

takes great pride in his work and have done marvelous things in battle. Also we see where the

pride he initially had in his work has been weakened by his infatuation with a ‘tawny front’

which was later revealed to be a description of Cleopatra. The description given by the soldiers

of Cleopatra was that she was a tramp.

The main conflict in Antony and Cleopatra stems from Antony being torn between whether

he should remain loyal to his country or to his lover Cleopatra. In an attempt to balance the two

he ultimately loses responsibility as a Roman military leader with the desire to live with

Cleopatra in Egypt, this decision later leads to the death of himself and Cleopatra. The true
message Shakespeare hopes to portray is centred around the main conflict just mentioned but

wouldn’t be executed as beautifully as it is without the use of characterization.

In A Raisin in the Sun, the main conflict can be seen as everyone in the Younger family had

dreams that seemed unattainable as a result of their family’s economic status, poverty, racism

and discrimination. This conflict caused a strain on the established relationships in the play, both

family and romantic relationships: as Ruth felt that she was drifting further from her husband,

and Mama too felt as though the relationship between her and her children was deteriorating

RUTH: No. Mama, something is happening between Walter and me. I

don’t know what it is—but he needs something—something I

can’t give him anymore. He needs this chance, Lena.

MAMA: No—there’s something come down between me and them that don’t let us understand

each other and I don’t know what it is. One done almost lost his mind thinking ’bout money all

the time and the other done commence to talk about things I can’t seem to understand in no form

or fashion. What is it that’s changing, Ruth.

Characterization in A Raisin in the Sun can distinctively be seen through Walter Lee as he is

the central character of the play. Walter can be seen as a dreamer, one who has high hopes for

the future. His dreams are fuelled by him wanting the best for himself and his family and in spite

of his pride and ambition, Walter Lee struggles with feelings of weakness and dissatisfaction as

he works to support his family and realize his goals. Walter Lee is characterized by his battle to

balance his aspirations with the harsh realities of his life throughout the play. Walter Lee's drive

is one of his most notable personality traits and it oftentimes evokes sympathy from the readers.
He aspires to build a prosperous business and give his family a better living. The racial and

economic barriers in his society, however, consistently hinder and prevent his ambitions.

WALTER: And I’ll come up the steps

to the house and the gardener will be clipping away at the

hedges and he’ll say, “Good evening, Mr. Younger.” And I’ll say,

“Hello, Jefferson, how are you this evening?” And I’ll go inside

and Ruth will come downstairs and meet me at the door and

we’ll kiss each other and she’ll take my arm and we’ll go up to

your room to see you sitting on the floor with the catalogues of

all the great schools in America around you. … All the great

schools in the world! And—and I’ll say, all right son—it’s your

seventeenth birthday, what is it you’ve decided? …

Although Walter Lee's drive is an admirable trait, he also has significant shortcomings. He

has an impulsive nature, short tempered, and frequently does not think through the effects of his

decisions. Beneatha's desire to follow her own goals of becoming a doctor irritates him, and he

mocks her for her intellectual determination.

After the previous examples, it can clearly be seen that characterization and conflict are two

very important elements that playwrights utilize to bring life and to greatly explore the message

they hope to bring across in the drama. Both playwrights, Lorraine Hansberry and William

Shakespeare have proven that it is not through characterization rather than through conflict that

a dramatic work achieve its impact, but they both contribute an equal amount in making an

excellent drama.