00014--Horace's Observation on Drama

                                   Horace        

Horace's observations on drama are largely influenced by Aristotle's views on Drama.  He expresses his views under three heads:

a) Plot,
b) Characterization, and,

c)  Style.

PLOT

Plot for a play should be borrowed from well-known episode in Greek legend so that it may be easily comprehended by the spectators.  However if a new theme is to be chosen, it should be developed consistently from the beginning to the end.  Structurally it should have a well demarcated beginning, a middle and an end.  it should not be a long chain of many events.  The play should not have more than five acts. 

CHARACTERIZATION

According to Horace it is safer to borrow characters from Greek legends.  But characters can also be taken from life, but they should be natural and life like.  

STYLE

A drama should be written in IAMBIC PENTAMETER in easily comprehensible language and the style should be adjusted to the spirit of the play whether tragic, comic or satirical.

*******************************************