Drama and melodrama are both literary genres and in this article, we have discussed the difference between the two (drama vs melodrama).
The English dictionary defines the term “drama” as a composition, normally in prose, telling a story, while the term “melodrama” refers to a kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes.
Drama is a literary genre that specifically deals with characters and realistic stories intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
Both drama and melodrama are literary genres and the main difference between them is that the former depicts a realistic character and also focuses on character development, while the latter is characterized by exaggerated emotions and stereotypical characters.
What Is a Drama?
According to the English dictionary, the term “drama” is a composition normally in prose, telling a story- intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
It’s the specific mode of fiction that is represented in performance, such as a play, ballet, mime, opera, etc. Dramas are performed in theatres or on radio or TV.
Generally, drama is one of the largest literary genres as it includes a wide range of works.
Dramatic themes in general can comprise various societal problems, political unrest, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, corruption, poverty, mental illness, alcoholism, social division or sexual inequality.
Drama is generally represented in a wide range of performances. For example, mime is a form of drama where the audience understands the action of a story through the movement of the body performed by the actor.
Also, drama can be combined with music- such as the dramatic text in opera sung throughout the performance. In musicals, it’s a combination of both spoken dialogue and songs- but some forms of drama are performed with incidental music or musical accompaniment underscoring the dialogue. i.e. melodrama.
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What Is a Melodrama?
The English dictionary defines the term “melodrama’ as a kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes.
Melodramas mainly concentrate on dialogue that is excessively sentimental. Melodrama characters are often written to satisfy stereotypical roles.
A melodrama typically focuses on morality and family issues, marriage and love. Melodramas on stage, filmed or shown on TV are often accompanied by suggestive music- a kind of music that gets the audience’s attention to the drama being presented.
Additionally, the term “melodrama” is from the combination of the Greek word “melos”, which means “melody” or “song” with the French word “drame”, meaning “drama”.
Melodramas were very popular during the Victorian Era. They were originally theatrical stage plays performed with a combination of music and dialogue.
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Drama vs Melodrama: Difference between Drama and Melodrama
Both drama and melodrama are literary genres and the main difference between them is that the former depicts a realistic character and also focuses on character development, while the latter is characterized by exaggerated emotions and stereotypical characters.
Drama is the specific mode of fiction that is represented in performance such as a play, ballet, mime, opera, etc. Dramas are performed in theatres or on radio or TV.
Melodramas mainly concentrate on dialogue that is excessively sentimental. Melodrama characters are often written to satisfy stereotypical roles.
Modern melodramas offer emotional and exaggerated performances that have been essential in the entertainment industry.
Melodramas are often associated with gestures and distinctions between good and evil.
In contrast, drama is characterized by a more realistic performance and complex characters, and it also focuses on character development. Dramas over the last decades have been a constant presence in the form of films, plays, and TV shows.
Drama vs Melodrama: More Difference between Drama and Melodrama
Dramas typically revolve around the characters and their reaction to the ups and downs of life. The main aim of drama performance is to portray a more realistic situation regarding the character’s reaction to life challenges.
On the other hand, melodramas heighten these reactions to emphasize exaggeration and sensationalism.
Drama and melodrama generally aim to evoke emotional responses, melodrama does so through exaggerated performances, and extreme situations and often uses music to amplify emotions, while drama tends to portray more realistic genuine human experiences.
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History
According to Wikipedia, western drama originates in classical Greece. All thanks to the theatrical culture of Athens, three genres of dramas came into existence- tragedy, comedy, and satyr play.
Dramas are said to be institutionalized in the 5th century BC in completions organized as part of the festivities celebrating the god Dionysus.
In contrast, melodrama originated in the 18th century but the melodrama approach is said to be revived in the 18th and 19th century French romantic drama and sentimental novels that were quite popular in France and England.
The French dramas and sentimental novels were more focused on moral codes relating to family life in general, marriage, and love.
While melodramas may be criticized for their overt sentimentality, they remain impactful in engaging the audience.
On the other hand, dramas are considered a more realistic and sophisticated form of art.
Drama vs Melodrama: Comparison Chart
| Drama | Melodrama | |
| Definition | A composition normally in prose, telling a story- intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue. | A kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes. |
| Nature | Realistic portrayal of situations | Exaggerated and sensational portrayal |
| Character depth | Multi-dimensional character | Stereotypical, clearly good or evil |
| Historical origin | Ancient Greek | 18th century musical theatre |
| Emotional response | Derived from genuine human experience | Achieved through heightened situations and emotions |
| Public perception | Sophisticated and nuanced | Captivating but often overtly sentimental |
| Theme | Wider concepts | Interpersonal and highly emotional themes |
Drama vs Melodrama: Examples of Drama and Melodrama
Let’s look a few examples of dramas and melodrama.
Examples of Drama
One of the examples of a drama is the 1949 stage play “Death of a Salesman” written by Arthur Miller.
Other examples of drama include Academy Award-winning dramas such as A Beautiful Mind, 12 Years a Slave, on the Waterfront, American Beauty, Going My Way, All About Eve, and, The Godfather, No County for Old Men.
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Examples of Melodrama
Melodramas mainly concentrate on dialogue that is excessively sentimental. Melodrama characters are often written to satisfy stereotypical roles.
A few examples of melodrama include A Star is Born, Gone with the Wind, Brief Encounter, and All That Heaven Allows.
Conclusion
Drama is a literary genre that specifically deals with characters and realistic stories intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
Both drama and melodrama are literacy genres and the main difference between them is that the former depicts a realistic character and also focuses on character development, while the latter is characterized by exaggerated emotions and stereotypical characters.
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References
- Wikipedia: Drama
- Wikipedia: Melodrama
- Pediaa: Difference Between Drama and Melodrama
- Studiobinder: What is Melodrama — Definition & Examples in Literature & Film
