Melodrama – Questions and Answers

11.   In which century did melodrama develop?        

Ans = Melodrama developed in the 19^th century in France

2.  Why is it called ‘melodrama’?

Ans= It is called melodrama because it is a very dominant theatre form which involves over over exaggeration hence they use music to increase impact of the performance which is why it is called melodrama because ‘melo’ means melody or music

3.Why was melodrama so popular?

Ans= Melodrama was popular because it is filled with romance, action, thrill etc. Melodrama has spectacular settings, music and exaggerated acting and great costumes. They also encouraged audience interaction which made it popular.

4. List the three (3) segments of a standard melodrama plot. What action does each segment involve?

Ans= Segments of a standard melodrama plot              

 Provocation: The initial cause for the setting action.

 Pangs: The outcome which is suffering of the innocent characters who are caught up in the evil plan.

Penalty: The last minute twist of fate where the wicked characters are punished for their evil actions.

5. What are some conflicting themes a melodrama would usually explore?

Ans= The themes are generally action, violence, romance and sentimentality.

6. Are the characters in melodrama life-like or stereotyped?

Ans= The characters are stereotyped because they were not meant to be life like they were meant have identifiable types of personalities.

7. List three (3) stock characters and describe each of their personal qualities.

Ans= The hero: brave, courageous, handsome, honest, reliable and romantic

The maiden/heroine: ladylike, innocent, demure, brave and vulnerable

The villain: evil, sly, manipulative, cunning and dishonest.

8.What is the difference between the faithful servant and a maid servant?    

Ans= A faithful servant: Provides comic relief and does dirty work for the villain. He usually discovers evidence for the villain. 

A maid servant: A female character who is lively and go flirts with the faithful servant.

9. What is an ‘aside’?

Ans= An aside is where any character speaks directly to the audience to reveal a thought or plan that is kept secret from the rest of the other characters.

Train track terror

                                     This is my group's presentation and I played the maiden but since it is a 1 sec long clip I am going to evaluate Anju's group.I think there presentation was great, I love it, it was very funny. I think that most groups did a girl as a maiden and  a boy as a hero but Anju's group switched that and made the maiden a boy and the hero a girl.I like the where Anju leaps and she sings while coming which was very funny. Azan was doing female voice which was so funny.  I think that they should try and remember the script because looking at the script is distracting and the audience doesn't get the full effect of the scene. I think they should work on the where everybody's position because sometimes the group members would face the other way. There delivery of lines could improve. They should make the rope tieing part better. Anju can wear a white cape to make her look more like a hero. Azan can wear a wig to make him look more like the maiden. They can use a real rope as a prop.The villain can wear a black cape and mustache. They can use train sounds in the background to seem like the train is actually approaching them.To conclude I would like to say that there performance was great and it could be even better with these changes.  

 Picture 1 - This is a picture of me posing as a villain. Villains often have a mustache and very black eyes which is what I have. My pose is related to a villain because looks evil and it looks very manipulative which are 2 very important qualities in a villain. I am making a thinking face to come up with a way to capture the maiden since the villain often messes with the maiden. I am also coming up with ideas to defeat the hero since he always comes to rescue the maiden.

 Picture 2- This is me posing as a hero. I am making a victory pose since I manage to defeat the villain and rescue the maiden. I am happy that I save the day once again. I think that my victory pose looks courageous and brave which are important qualities in a hero which is how I manage to defeat the villain. 

Picture 3- This is me posing as a maiden. I am wearing a dress because I think it looks very ladylike on me. I am posting to look very innocent and very demure which are very common qualities in a maiden .  I am quite scared right now because I am afraid that the villain will catch me because he often does but I hope the hero comes and rescues me. 

Introduction to Melodrama

                                  Melodrama 

Key concept: Relationships 

Related Concept: Audience,Expression,Presentation 

Global Context: Fairness & Development 

Statement of Inquiry: A hero saves the day in Melodrama to ensure that justice and peace will overrule the destroying plans of evildoers. 

Inquiry Questions: Will the hero always destroy the evil plans of the villain to save the day? 

Will Melodrama always have a happy ending? 

Must all stories have a happy ending? 

Will good always win against evil?

How can the world become a better & peaceful environment for all?