Melodrama


 * Melodrama** means "song drama" or "music drama". It usually refers to a theatrical form made popular by the French at the end of the eighteenth century. Melodrama focuses on serious dramatic elements, storylines, and characters. It is similar to drama, but these dramatic elements are pushed over the edge - often becoming comic, and may even seem facetious in intent. The characters in a melodrama or a work with melodramatic tendencies will typically be stereotypes that embody the forces of good and evil according to their role. You won't see them sitting down to ponder over their actions. Oftentimes secondary characters in these stories and simple minded and flat, and provide comic relief. The conflict of a melodramatic work often lies in the Hero vs. Villain, and is therefore predictable in nature. The hero always wins.

//Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull// is a modern example of something close to a full-fledged melodrama. Is the movie laughable? To some, yes it is.

A sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions.

Alex Chaney- Melodramas are dramas that include a melody, such as in a musical or opera. this comes from early French theatre where they would have a storyline that included music in the background

http://literarydevices.net/melodrama/

Sean Hayes a drama, as a play or film, characterized by exaggerated conflicts and emotions, stereotyped characters, etc.

Carina Calvaresi-
 * **__Melodrama Definition:__** drama in which many exciting events happen and the characters have very strong or exaggerated emotions or a situation or series of events in which people have very strong or exaggerated emotions.
 * Originally, it makes use of melody and music, while modern melodramas may not contain any music.
 * In fact, a melodrama gives preference to a detailed characterization where character are simply drawn, one-dimensional or stereotyped. Usually, it uses stock characters including a heroes, heroines and villains.