The main difference between epic theater and dramatic theater is that epic theater has a non-linear narrative while dramatic theater has a linear narrative.
In epic theater, the audience is alienated or distanced from what is happening in the play so that they can freely focus on the larger social and political issues that the play reflects. In dramatic theater, on the other hand, the audience is emotionally engaged and identifies with the characters.
Key areas covered
1. What is epic theater - definition, functions 2. What is dramatic theater - definition, functions 3. What is the difference between epic theater and dramatic theater - comparison of the main differences
key terms
Brecht, Epic Theater, Dramatic Theater
What is epic theater?
Epic Theater is a theatrical movement that became popular in the mid-20th century. It is mainly associated with the famous playwright Bertolt Brecht. Epic theater has a broken narrative that is not linear. The narrative often leaves problems unsolved and makes the audience think critically and make judgments. In addition, scenes are usually self-contained and created in small pieces instead of being built up slowly and tediously. In other words, it presents a series or a montage of scenes. Epic theater is typically a clear political statement.
The main goal of epic theater is not to imitate reality; Instead, it encourages the audience to think, judge, and act critically. It presents an argument to the audience with their different points of view. However, the audience remains at an emotional distance from the story. Since the viewers are only observers and are emotionally outside the action, they can study the story objectively and recognize social realities. Indeed, Brecht used "alienation" or "distancing" techniques to help the audience think objectively and focus on the larger social and political issues that the play reflected. He also instructed actors to keep distance between themselves and the characters they are playing. In addition, he used unrealistic techniques in lights, visuals and sets to remind the audience that they were watching a play. Hence, we can describe epic theater as a staging of reality rather than reality itself.
What is Dramatic Theater?
Dramatic theater has a plot or story. Since events in dramatic theater are typically in chronological order, it has a linear narrative. At the end of the game there is a neat solution to all problems. In general, it provides entertainment for the audience and arouses their emotions. In addition, dramatic theater has different goals and techniques from epic theater. It allows the audience to see a representation of reality and encourages them to accept reality without thinking too much. This will give the audience a sense of inevitability and fate.
In addition, the audience in dramatic theater identifies with the characters in the play through emotions. It does not encourage the audience to think critically and make judgments about the world around them. This type of theater also consists of scenes that are interconnected and ultimately lead to a climax .
Difference Between Epic Theater and Dramatic Theater
definition
Epic theater is a theater movement that became popular in the mid-20th century, while dramatic theater is the traditional theater that presents a story or plot.
Narrative
Epic theater has a non-linear narrative while dramatic theater has a linear narrative.
Audience reaction
In epic theater, the audience is alienated or distanced from what is happening in the play so that they can freely focus on the larger social and political issues that the play reflects. In dramatic theater, on the other hand, the audience is emotionally engaged and identifies with the characters.
Scenes
In epic theater, scenes stand on their own, while in dramatic theater, scenes are linked to one another.
goals
The goals of epic theater are to encourage the audience to think, judge, and act critically, while the goals of dramatic theater are to provide entertainment and emotionally captivate the audience.
diploma
The main difference between epic theater and dramatic theater is that epic theater has a non-linear narrative while dramatic theater has a linear narrative. Furthermore, the goal of epic theater is to encourage the audience to think, judge, and act critically, while the goal of dramatic theater is to provide entertainment and emotionally captivate the audience.
Image courtesy:
1. "Lake Tahoe Shakespeare" Twelfth Night "25-07-2011 Actor 2 ″ By DimiTalen - Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Image courtesy:
1. "Epic Theater - Epic Theater and Brecht - GCSE Drama Revision." BBC News , BBC, Available here .
