What is Melodrama
The melodrama
was the primary form of theatre during the 19th century, despite
other influences, becoming the most popular by 1840. Melodrama is still with us
today.
In the early 1800’s, most were
romantic, exotic, or supernatural.
In the 1820’s, they became more
familiar in settings and characters.
In the 1830’s, became more elevated:
"gentlemanly" melodrama.
Characteristics
of Melodrama:
-
Comes from "music drama".
Music was
used to increase emotions or to signify characters (signature music).
-
A simplified moral universe; good
and evil are embodied in stock characters.
-
Episodic form: the villain poses a
threat, the hero or heroine escapes, etc. with a happy ending.
-
Almost never five acts usually 2-5
(five acts reserved for "serious" drama).
-
Many special effects: fires,
explosions, drownings, earthquakes.
Types of
Melodrama:
-
Animals used (along with the
Romantic concept of nature):
-
Equestrian dramas: horses, often
on treadmills forerunners of the modern Western.
-
Canine melodramas: like
Lassie
-
Nautical melodramas: interest in
the sea.
-
Disaster melodramas.