Lesson on Creating Subtext for Dialogue
Teaching Drama Students How to Add Tension to Spoken Lines in a Play
Aug 24, 2009
If every spoken word in a play is meant exactly by the words spoken, the result would be a two-dimensional play with no contrast and little to compel the audience.
What is Subtext?
Creating disparity between the meaning of the words spoken and the hidden motives and suppressed desires of a character is likely to create a multi-layered drama and piles of tension. The true meaning beneath what is overtly said is what is known as “subtext” and is often used in plays to captivate an audience. For subtext to work in drama, the two must be starkly different. A simple example of subtext is when a devious fiancé of a princess who is interested only in money says, “The day I marry you, my dear, will be the happiest day of my life.”
The audience who is aware of his greed will see through his sentiment, whilst the princess will be taken in.
Exercise for Drama Students on Delivering Dialogue
After explaining the meaning of subtext, the teacher will show how subtext can be enhanced. Each student will deliver a simple line of dialogue in different ways in order to give it a different nuance. Consider the following:
- “You’ve got to be joking.” (chirping joyfully)
- “You’ve got to be joking!” (aghast)
- “You’ve got to be joking!” (in horror)
- “You’ve got to be joking.” (groaning in despair)
- “You’ve got to be joking.” (sarcastically)
- “You’ve got to be joking.” (laughing)
Lesson With Dialogue to Captivate the Audience
Using subtext with speech can be further explored in the following ways:
- How it fits in context with what is going on in the play
- Juxtaposition of body language with the speech
- The hidden motives and desires of the character/s
- Knowledge known exclusively to the audience
Enhancing Subtext With Evaluation
The drama teacher might request the students to select a line from a scene that belies the character’s motives, and to practice delivering the line within context of the scene, but again, to deliver the line in different ways as before. Examples this time might be: in surprise, angrily, happily, jokingly and nonchalantly. The other drama students may observe each performance and ask the following via discussion.
- Has the hidden motives of the character become more obvious to the other characters in the scene? (less subtext)
- Has the hidden motives of the character become less obvious to the other characters in the scene? (more subtext)
Practicing Subtext in Speech in Drama Classes
Subtext can be used to create drama and tension within the dialogue of a play by enhancing the difference between what is said and the hidden motives of the character. Drama students may explore subtext in speech by trying out different ways of delivering a line. Delivering the line within the context of a scene provides further exploration into subtext. Evaluating the performance provides opportunities for discussion, reflection and progression.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
