Melodramatic vs Dramatic
Melodramatic is a word that is often used to describe to a drama, movie or TV serial that is really exaggeratingly dramatic. People remain confused with the two words melodramatic and dramatic because of the similarities between the meanings of these words. They do not know when a drama becomes a melodrama or when something is dramatic and when it is melodramatic. Despite similarities, there are differences between melodramatic and dramatic that will be highlighted in this article.
More on Melodramatic and Dramatic
At times when we are watching a drama, movie or TV serial, we get a feeling that the actors are over reacting and overacting. This is when we feel that the acts of the characters are trying to appeal to our emotions but in a rather exaggerated manner. When the actor is making sweeping gestures and exhibiting overboard emotions, the drama becomes a melodrama or an exaggerated drama. The word melodrama was popularized by the French during the 18th century with their music and song drama. Melodrama is essentially drama in nature, but the dramatic elements in a melodrama are pushed to the brink with the drama starting to look comical at times.
In melodrama, characters remain bad if they are bad and good if they are good. This means that characters do not change or even grow in a melodrama.
What is the difference between Dramatic and Melodramatic?
• Dramatic is when an actor is good at acting.
• Melodramatic is when an actor acts exaggeratingly.
• When a drama is sentimental in an exaggerated manner, it is known as a melodrama.