INTRODUCTION
A
drama unfolds through episodes in which characters interact. The
episode is a period of prepay communication between characters who,
after communicating, act as players in a game that's constructed through the
dialogue between them. The action that follows the episode is the playing out
of this game; it sets up the next episode. Most drama-theoretic terminology is
derived from a theatrical model applied to real life interactions; thus, an
episode goes through phases of scene-setting, build-up, climax
and decision. This is followed by denouement, which is the action
that sets up the next episode.
Drama
theory asserts that a character faced with a dilemma feels specific positive or
negative emotions that it tries to rationalize by persuading itself and others
that the game should be redefined in a way that eliminates the dilemma; for
example, a character with an incredible threat makes it credible by becoming
angry and finding reasons why it should prefer to carry out the threat;
likewise, a character with an incredible promise feels positive emotion toward
the other as it looks for reasons why it should prefer to carry its promise.
Emotional tension leads to the climax, where characters
