‘Specifics’ Model of Analysis / The Basic Questions:

             Where are we?

               Geographical Temperature

                Textural References

                Place and Setting Descriptions

            When is it happening?

                Day, Month, Year?

                Special Occasion

                Significant Date or Season

            Who is involved?

                 Socio-economics and Relationships

                         What are the family relationships?

                         What are the marital statuses?

                         Who has wealth and who has poverty?

                         Who has the power and control?

                   Governmental Influences

                         Is it a democracy, monarchy, oligarchy, or dictatorship?

                         Is it in stability or turmoil?

                         Are the characters involved?

                   Religious Environment

                         Is it tolerant or intolerant?

                         Is it nationalized or independent?

                         Is it organized or paganistic?

                         Are the characters involved?

                    Morality and Ethics

                         How are Sex and the Sexes Viewed?

                         Are principles and ethics valued?

                        What exists to uphold these choices?

       What has happened before the play begins?

                        Extrapolate the past, using the facts in the text.

       What do the characters think about their world?

                          Are they representative or in revolt?

                          Are they insiders or outsiders?

                          Do they change their views throughout the play?

       What is the function of each character?

                         What are their contributions and do they need to be visually supported?

                         Who or what is the protagonist and antagonist?

                         Identify stereotypes, contrasts, and Supernumeraries (crowds).

       What is the dialogue mode?

                        Is it naturalistic (realistic), literary (period), poetic (intense/visual), or

                       rhythmic (comedy/romance)?

       What is the plays TOTAL action now?

                        Does the above information change your initial structural analysis?

       Who is the playwright?

                         Why was it written?

                         Who was it written for?

       What are the major flaws (plot holes) in the script?