What Makes a Great Play? Aristotle Had Some Ideas (And They Still Work Today)
By FreshNote.com.ng
So I was watching this play the other night, and it got me thinking - what actually makes some stories stick with you while others just... don't? Turns out, this Greek guy named Aristotle figured this out way back in ancient times. And honestly? His ideas are still pretty solid.
In his book called Poetics, Aristotle broke down what he thought made drama work. He came up with six key things that every good play needs. However, don't t be confused, there are other 9 elements of drama that create the makes a Play so elegant as we have them now. Let me walk you through them, and I'll spend some extra time on character because, let's be real, that's usually what we care about most when we're watching something.
The Six Things Aristotle Said Every Play Needs
1. Plot - The Backbone of Everything
This one's pretty obvious, right? It's basically what happens in the story. But Aristotle was specific about it - he said you need a clear beginning, middle, and end. And everything should make sense. One thing leads to another.
Think about it like this: if you're telling your friend about something crazy that happened to you, you don't just throw random events at them. You start somewhere, build up to the big moment, then wrap it up.
Example: Take Oedipus Rex (yeah, that old Greek tragedy). The whole thing follows Oedipus trying to figure out who he really is. Each discovery leads to the next, and by the end... well, let's just say it doesn't go well for him.
2. Character - The Heart of the Story
Here's where things get interesting. Aristotle said characters should feel real and consistent. They need to make choices that actually matter to the story.
But here's what I find fascinating - he believed that what characters do is more important than who they are. It's not enough to have a "good guy" or "bad guy." Your characters need to drive the action forward through their decisions.
I remember watching this local theater production last year where the main character kept making these choices that seemed totally random. By the end, I didn't care what happened to him because I never understood why he did anything. That's exactly what Aristotle was warning against.
What makes a good character according to Aristotle:
- They're consistent (they act like themselves throughout)
- Their actions move the story forward
- They feel like real people, not just plot devices
- They face real consequences for their choices
3. Thought - What's Really Being Said
This isn't just about dialogue (though that's part of it). It's about the ideas and themes running through the play. What is the story actually trying to say about life, love, power, whatever?
Sometimes this is obvious - like a play about corruption in politics is clearly about, well, corruption. But the best plays layer this stuff in naturally.
4. Diction - How Characters Talk
Basically, this is about the language and style. Do characters sound like real people? Does the fancy prince talk differently from the common soldier?
Aristotle thought the language should fit the story and characters. No point having a street vendor speaking like Shakespeare unless there's a good reason for it.
5. Music - The Rhythm of It All
Back in Aristotle's time, plays often had actual music and singing. Today, we might think of this more as the overall rhythm and flow of the piece. How does it sound when spoken out loud? Where are the pauses? What's the pace?
6. Spectacle - What You See
This is all the visual stuff - costumes, sets, special effects. Aristotle actually thought this was the least important element. He believed a good story should work even if you just heard it, without seeing anything.
Smart guy. I mean, radio dramas were huge for decades, right?
Why Character Still Matters Most (At Least to Me)
Look, all six elements are important, but character is what makes us care. You can have the most incredible plot twists and amazing special effects, but if we don't connect with the people on stage, none of it matters.
I think about the last really good play I saw - it was this small production about a family dealing with loss. The set was basically just chairs and a table. No fancy costumes or music. But the characters felt so real, so human, that I was completely absorbed.
That's what Aristotle was getting at. When characters make choices that feel authentic, when their struggles mirror our own experiences, that's when drama really works.
The beauty of his system is that it's not just about ancient Greek theater. You can apply these same principles to modern plays, movies, even TV shows. Good storytelling is good storytelling, whether it's 2,400 years ago or today.