Dramatis Personae
What Does Dramatis Personae Mean?
Dramatis personae is a Latin term used to designate the list of characters in a literary work, particularly a play. Historically, the phrase was often translated in early printed editions as "The Persons Represented" or "The Persons Presented" (John Russell-Brown et al., 2017). These characters are generally understood as "dramatic personae," meaning they possess distinct personalities that are separate from the author's own identity, functioning as independent entities within the narrative framework (G. Gust et al., 2009).
Historical Development and the Concept of Character
The term gained prominence in the 17th century, appearing in published texts such as The Roman Actor in 1629 (John Russell-Brown et al., 2017). During the Elizabethan era, the word "character" referred to handwriting or symbols rather than individuals; instead, theatrical roles were called "persons" (John Russell-Brown et al., 2017). This classical usage emphasizes the persona as a "mask" or "pretense," suggesting that a literary character is an assumed identity rather than a realistic depiction of a human being's true nature (G. Gust et al., 2009).
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Theoretical Framework and Character Construction
In literary theory, a distinction is made between standard dramatic personae and "I-personae," which serve as stand-ins or "divided selves" for the writer (G. Gust et al., 2009). While some authors create a vast repertoire of unique characters, others may operate with a "circumscribed dramatis personae" based on limited personal experience (Steve Waters et al., 2013). Ideally, a play's characters should possess their own internal logic, allowing the audience to experience a seemingly complete world that exists independently of the text (John Russell-Brown et al., 2017)(Steve Waters et al., 2013).