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Verse Drama and Dramatic Verse

Dramatic Genres

Verse drama is any drama written significantly in verse to be performed by an actor before an audience. Verse drama does not need to be primarily in verse to qualify, but significant portions of the play should be in verse. Verse drama is primarily spoken, so libretti or books of musicals with song lyrics also written in verse are not considered verse drama, and a verse drama may also include portions formatted as prose.

Facts
Notable Example
The Tragedie of Gorboduc by Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville (1561) 1
Defining Trait
Drama written significantly in verse, with line endings, to be performed by an actor before an audience 1
Sources
1. Verse drama and dramatic verse, Wikipedia
  • Early Modern Drama and the Rise of Blank Verse
    In 1561, The Tragedie of Gorboduc, or, Ferrex and Porrex by Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville performed before Queen Elizabeth.
  • Opening definition
    Verse drama is any drama written significantly in verse (that is: with line endings) to be performed by an actor before an audience.
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