Some of the main components that determine whether a play is entertaining or successful are the story, script writing, performances of actors, stage management, set design and props, costumes, lighting design and sound. Dialogue and script writing style also contribute to the success of a play.

There are four steps you can take to analyze a play:

1. Identify the type of play.
2. Determine the theme.
3. Analyze for dramatic techniques.
4. Put it all together to illustrate how the playwright uses the dramatic devices to send a message to her audience.

Analyzing a play involves asking questions about the play in order to get a better understanding of the author’s message, style and the characters used. It usually involves analyzing the scripts for the theme.

Common Examples of Drama

• Citizen Kane.
• The Godfather.
• Platoon.
• The Shawshank Redemption.
• American Beauty.
• Forrest Gump.
• Jerry Maguire.
• Good Will Hunting.

The Elements of Drama: Theme, Plot, Characters, Dialog, and More. Drama is a composition of prose or poetry that is transformed into a performance on stage. The story progresses through interactions between its characters and ends with a message for the audience.

To sum up, the following are the major elements of theater:

• Performers.
• Audience.
• Director.
• Theater Space.
• Design Aspects (scenery, costume, lighting, and sound)
• Text (which includes focus, purpose, point of view,

Hamlet Soliloquy: To be, or not to be: that is the question (3.1.64-98) bare bodkin. i.e., a mere dagger. Bodkin was a Renaissance term used to describe many different sharp instruments, but it makes the most sense here to assume Shakespeare meant a dagger.

The famous fourth soliloquy of the play is preceded by Hamlet’s resolve to let the the action of the play, which will mimic the real actions of King Claudius, elicit a reaction from him that will then reveal the truth about King Hamlet’s death.

In the quote, “fardels” is another word for burdens. Hamlet is asking why anyone would bear the burdens of a long and weary life full of suffering and toil.

By “his quietus make” (line 83), Hamlet means “settle one’s account,” or ends one’s life. A “bare bodkin” (line 84) is an unsheathed dagger, so Hamlet means someone could settle his or her “account,” or end his or her life, with a dagger.