What does the script, or text, of a play contain?
A. an essay by the playwright on the theme
B. dialogue and stage directions
C. the list of cast members for the first performance
D. the soliloquies of the major characters
My answer is B
Yes, B.
Correct! The script or text of a play typically contains dialogue and stage directions. The dialogue includes the spoken lines of the characters, while the stage directions provide instructions for the actors and production team on how to perform the play, such as movements, expressions, and scene changes. The script may also include an introduction or preface by the playwright, but it does not typically include a list of cast members or soliloquies of major characters.
You are correct! The script or text of a play consists primarily of dialogue and stage directions, so option B is the correct answer.
To arrive at this answer, you can first eliminate options A, C, and D, as they do not accurately describe the contents of a play script.
Option A suggests that the script contains an essay by the playwright on the theme, but typically plays do not include such essays within the script itself. Authors may, however, include a preface or introduction in published versions of the play, but this is not a standard component of the script.
Option C mentions the list of cast members for the first performance. While this information may be included in the production notes or as a separate document in the context of preparing for the performance, it is not a part of the script itself.
Option D refers to the soliloquies of major characters. While soliloquies can be part of the dialogue in a play, they do not comprise the entirety of the script. The script also includes other dialogue, interactions between characters, and stage directions that describe the setting, actions, and movements of the characters on stage.
Therefore, your choice of option B, dialogue and stage directions, is the most accurate representation of what the script of a play contains.