UNDERSTANDING

PROSE, POETRY AND

DRAMA
 PROSE
• Expression that does not have a regular rhythmic
pattern

• Prose does not have rhythm but its rhythm lacks

any sustained regularity and is not meant to be
scanned.
 POETRY
• An expression that is written in verse, often with
some form of regular rhythm.

• The basis of poetic expression is a heightened

sense of perception or consciousness.
• Both prose and poetry share many elements.

• Prose and Poetry can be seen as two levels or planes,

each going in opposite directions, but partially
overlapping at their common ends.

• Prose pulls elements from poetry and poetry pulls

elements from prose until each reaches a finite point
at which prose becomes poetry and poetry becomes
prose.
 BE DRUNK

You have to be always drunk. That’s all there is to it – it’s the

only way. So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks
your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually
drunk.

But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be

drunk.
And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in
the mournful
solitude of your room, you wake again, drunkenness already diminishing or
gone, ask the
wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, everything that is flying,
everything that is
Groaning, everything that is rolling, everything that is singing, everything
that is speaking
…ask what time it is, and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you: “It is
time to be
drunk! So as not to be martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually
drunk! On
wine, on poetry or virtue as you wish.
 PROSE
Most everyday writing is in prose form.
The language of prose is typically straightforward The language of poetry tends to be more
without much decoration.
Ideas are contained in sentences that are
arranged into paragraphs.
There are no line breaks. Sentences to the right
margin.
The first word of each sentence is capitalized.
Prose looks like large blocks of words.
POETRY
Poetry is typically reserved for expressing
something special in an artistic way.
expressive or decorated, with comparisons,
rhyme and rhythm contributing to a different
sound and feel.
Ideas are contained in lines that may or may not
be sentences. Lines are arranged in stanzas.
Poetry uses line breaks for various reason – to
follow a formatted rhythm or to emphasize an
idea. Lines can run extremely long or be as short
one word or letter.
Traditionally, the first letter of every line is
capitalized, but many modern poets choose not
to follow this rule strictly.
The shape of poetry can vary depending on line
length and the intent of a poet.
 DRAMA
• A story intended to be acted out on stage.

• Some critics include pantomime, but others specify that drama

requires dialogue.

• Drama also requires a plot, a setting and characters.

• It is divided into two very broad categories: tragedy and comedy,

each with its own characteristics.
 TRAGEDY
• Is one of the oldest forms of drama. The theme of a tragedy usually
revolves around the ruins of a dynasty, downfall of man, emotional
betrayals, moral setback, personal loss, death, and denials.

• Protagonists often have a tragic flaw – a characteristic that leads

them to their downfall.

• This form of drama rarely has happy endings.

 COMEDY
• Is lighter in tone than tragedy and provides a happy
ending.

• The intention of comic playwrights is to make their

audience laugh. Hence, use highly improbable
situations, stereotyped characters, extravagant
exaggeration and violent horseplay.