Melodrama, Parody, and Farce (Grade 10)

Question 1

A melodrama is a dramatic form that does not observe the laws of _______________.

Answer 1

Cause and effect

Question 2

A melodrama exaggerates ______________.

Answer 2

Emotion

Question 3

A melodrama emphasizes ___________ or _____________ at the expense of characterization.

Answer 3

plot, action

Question 4

___________ + ___________ = the art of ____________ to hook the emotions of the viewer (heart strings)

Answer 4

music, drama, overreacting

Question 5

Melodrama is a style of acting that was popular in the ______________. (Two answers)

Answer 5

19th Century (1800s)

Question 6

Melodramatic plays ate associated with the ______________ period in history.

Answer 6

Victorian (1835-1901)

Question 7

Live productions during this ear in theatre were known as ___________ plays (without religion) in which the battle of ________ ___ __________ was personified.

Answer 7

morality, good vs. evil

Question 8

The outcome of melodramatic plays was already known by the _____________.

Answer 8

audience

Question 9

Melodrama comes from ___________ which is Greek for song.

Answer 9

melos

Question 10

Before a melodramatic show, the audience participated in a __________ or ___________ done by the keyboardist

Answer 10

sing-a-long, warm-up

Question 11

The keyboardist was also known as the ____________.

Answer 11

professor

Question 12

The __________ consisted of a variety of acts that took place in between scenes or at the end of the show.

Answer 12

olio

Question 13

The olio usually consisted of the following: 
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Answer 13

musical numbers
short dance pieces
comic skit/monologues
blackout jokes
talents

Question 14

The three main characters in any melodrama were always the ________________. (three things)

Answer 14

the hero, the villain, and the heroine

Question 15

The heroine, who was a symbol of _____________ (two possible answers), often used the following two gestures: frames her face and ___________.

Answer 15

purity/innocence, blows a kiss

Question 16

These stereotypical characters are also known as ____________ characters.

Answer 16

archetypal

Question 17

The villain was known for _________, __________, and ___________ (screaming, threatening),

Answer 17

sneering, sulking, lurking

Question 18

The villain is always _____________ (two answers) in the end.

Answer 18

foiled/defeated

Question 19

Melodramatic plays were always performed in a _______________ (two words) theatre and featured a detuned __________ piano.

Answer 19

proscenium arch

Question 20

A common stage convention of the time was the ___________, since actors spoke directly to the audience by removing them from the ____________ wall.

Answer 20

aside, fouth

Question 21

A melodrama is:

Answer 21

• a sensational drama with exaggerated appeal to the emotions
• a sensational piece of writing, speech, or action that appeals to the emotions
• a sensational dramatic piece with crude appeals to the emotions and usually has a happy ending

Question 22

A parody is:

Answer 22

• a humorously exaggerated imitation of a piece of writing or work of art
• a poor imitation
• make fun of being imitated
• an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, genre, or person with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect
• a thing done so badly that it seems to be an intentional mockery of what it should be

Question 23

A farce is:

Answer 23

• a comic dramatic work full of ridiculous or absurd situations
• a kind of humour found in such plays
• a mockery or pretence
• a coarsely comic dramatic work based on ludicrously improbable events
• absolutely futile proceedings

Question 24

Melodramatic techniques

Answer 24

pregnant pause
the stare
the double take
the turtle take
slower, exaggerated, large movements
dragged out emotional moments
the repetition of action or events
plot based on the formula of three
the villain breaking the fourth wall

Question 25

Melodramatic gestures/movements

Answer 25

“in love” (eyes flutter, hands held at heart)
“fear” (wide eyes, hands over cheeks or temples)
“tragic walk” (slow, heavy steps, stooped shoulders)
“the hero’s entrance”
“cry for help”
“evil thoughts”
“great sorrow”
“the chase”
“woe is me” (slumped over, hands to head with palm out, head tilted back and sorrowful eyes)

Question 26

The hero always entered from ___________ (two words), while the villain always entered from ____________ (two words).

Answer 26

stage right, stage left

Question 27

The famous writing team of musical theatre known for using the melodramatic style is ____________.

Answer 27

Gilbert and Sullivan

Question 28

Melodramatic plots are usually based on the ______________ (4 words) that stand against the hero).

Answer 28

formula of 3 trials

Question 29

Today, melodrama means “___________” or “___________”

Answer 29

overdone, overacted

Question 30

Stereotypical melodramatic characters consist of:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Answer 30

1) the beautiful heroine (innocent)
2) the handsome hero (strong, courageous)
3) the ugly or deformed villain (the hunchback)
4) the dashing, sly villain (the vampire)
5) the “straight man” (the assistant, good citizen, sheriff, supporting role opposite the hero)
6) the sidekick (stupid, supporting role opposite villain