BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY

NAME:

ADOGA GIFT EHI

COURSE CODE

THA 212

COURSE TITLE

PLAYWRITING

MATRIC NO

BSU/AR/PHL/20/56115

NATURE OF WORK

Assignment

QUESTION

Pick any play of your choice,choose an act and identify the dramatic technique and purpose
Conceptual clarification

PLAY: A dramatic composition or piece; drama. a dramatic performance, as on the stage.A

play is defined as a type of literary work that is designed for performance in a theater in front of
an audience. A play is composed of dialogue between various characters and divided into acts
and scenes to increase the dramatic effect.

TECHNIQUE: Literary techniques are specific, deliberate constructions of language which an

author uses to convey meaning. An author's use of a literary technique usually occurs with a
single word or phrase, or a particular group of words or phrases, at one single point in a text.The
most common literary devices used in literature, art, and everyday language are similes,
metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and symbolism.

PURPOSE:Purpose is the goal or aim of a piece of writing: to express oneself, to provide

information, to persuade, or to create a literary work.An author's purpose is his reason for or
intent in writing. An author's purpose may be to amuse the reader, to persuade the reader, to
inform the reader, or to satirize a condition. There are four purpose a writer writes a play for

Informative - A text informing the reader of factual information, relating to a real-life event or
non-fiction topic.

Persuasive - Some texts aim to persuade people to see a particular side of an argument or idea.

Instructive - A series of instructions informing someone how to do something.

Entertaining - A text written to amuse and interest readers.

ANALYSIS

means closely studying a text, interpreting its meanings, and exploring why the author made
certain choices. We'll use a play to expand it further. And the play we are using is Hamlet by
William Shakespeare.

"Hamlet" is one of Williams Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, believed to have been
written between 1599 and 1601. The play tells the story of Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who
seeks revenge against his uncle, Claudius, for murdering his father, King Hamlet, and usurping
the throne. As the plot unfolds, Hamlet grapples with moral dilemmas, existential questions, and
his own sanity. The play is renowned for its rich language, complex characters, and exploration
of themes such as madness, revenge, mortality, and the nature of existence. "Hamlet" is
considered one of Shakespeare's greatest works and has had a profound influence on literature,
theater, and popular culture.
THE CHARACTERS IN HAMLET

Here are some of the key characters in Shakespeare's "Hamlet":

1. Hamlet - The Prince of Denmark, the protagonist.

2. Claudius - Hamlet's uncle, who becomes the king after murdering Hamlet's father.

3. Gertrude - Hamlet's mother and Claudius's wife.

4. Polonius - The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court, father of Ophelia and Laertes.

5. Ophelia - Polonius's daughter, Hamlet's love interest.

6. Laertes - Polonius's son, Ophelia's brother.

7. Horatio - Hamlet's loyal friend and confidant.

8. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - Hamlet's childhood friends, summoned by Claudius to spy on

Hamlet.

9. Fortinbras - Prince of Norway, whose father was killed by Hamlet's father.

10. The Ghost - The spirit of Hamlet's father, who reveals the truth about his murder to Hamlet.

Our main focus is Hamlet

DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES AND PURPOSE:

Here's a comprehensive list of dramatic techniques used throughout Shakespeare's "Hamlet,"

along with their purposes:

1. **Soliloquy**: Allows characters to express their inner thoughts and feelings directly to the
audience, revealing their motivations and conflicts.

2. **Monologue**: Characters deliver extended speeches addressing other characters or the

audience, often used to convey important thematic ideas or advance the plot.
3. **Dialogue**: Conversations between characters reveal relationships, conflicts, and the
development of the plot.

4. **Foreshadowing**: Hints or clues about future events, creating suspense and anticipation.

5. **Irony**: Situational, dramatic, and verbal irony add depth and complexity to the narrative,
often revealing discrepancies between appearance and reality.

6. **Imagery**: Vivid descriptions and metaphors create sensory experiences for the audience,
enhancing emotional impact and thematic resonance.

7. **Symbolism**: The use of symbols and symbolic actions to convey deeper meanings and
themes.

8. **Allusion**: References to historical events, mythology, or other literary works enrich the text
and deepen its significance.

9. **Characterization**: The portrayal of characters through their actions, dialogue, and

interactions with others, revealing their personalities, motivations, and conflicts.

10. **Setting**: The time and place in which the play is set establish context and atmosphere,
influencing the mood and tone of the narrative.

11. **Stage directions**: Instructions provided by the playwright to guide actors' movements
and actions, as well as to convey important details about the setting and characters' emotions.

12. **Conflict**: The central tensions and struggles between characters or within characters
themselves drive the plot forward and create dramatic tension.
13. **Theme**: The central ideas or messages explored throughout the play, such as revenge,
madness, mortality, and the nature of existence.

14. **Structure**: The organization of the plot, including acts, scenes, and their sequencing, to
create dramatic momentum and coherence.

These dramatic techniques serve various purposes, including engaging the audience, exploring
complex themes, developing characters, and advancing the plot to its resolution.

IN CONCLUSION

The conclusion of "Hamlet" sees the culmination of the play's tragic events and the resolution of
its central conflicts:

1. Deaths of Main Characters: In the final act, several main characters meet their demise.
Hamlet, Laertes, Claudius, and Gertrude all perish, either directly or indirectly as a result of the
events set in motion by Hamlet's quest for revenge.

2. Revenge Fulfilled: Hamlet's quest for revenge against Claudius reaches its climax in the final
act. He finally avenges his father's murder by killing Claudius, fulfilling the ghost's prophecy and
bringing closure to his own internal struggle.

Overall, the conclusion of "Hamlet" is a poignant and dramatic finale that underscores the play's
themes of revenge, mortality, and the human condition, leaving a lasting impact on audiences
for centuries.