What is human context within drama?

Answer 1

The human context is split into four sections: roles, relationship and situation are the first three.

When discussing the human context what is discussed differs depending on whether the whole performance or a single scene is discussed.

Roles: This section should offer detailed descriptions of the characters, what motivates them, challenges, and their super objective. Try to leave out relationships with other characters.

Relationships: This section is devoted to relationships between characters. This is where how characters relate is discussed. Speak on why characters feel/act how they do to others. Every significant relationship should be addressed.

Situation: In this section sum up either the performance or the scene. Do not go into excessive detail. You can reveal what happens in the scene.

The forth section of human context is the four tensions: task, mystery, surprise, relationship.

Break the section up into the four tensions.

Tension of the task: State every relevant characters objective, then show what difficulties they face e.g. the task may be morally wrong or very difficult

Tension of Mystery: Show any mystery in the scene. This can tie in with tension of surprise.

Tension of Surprise: Show the surprise in the scene, whether the character or the audience is surprised. This can tie in with tension of mystery, the revelation of the mystery causing the surprise.

Tension of relationships: In this section write on the topic of relationships between the characters, much like the first paragraph on relationships, however this is more concerned with how the relationships affect characters actions.

Once this is done a short summary can be included, but is not necessary.

Congratulate yourself on a well written human context.