In any performing art, the audience main aim is to gain a full understanding of the play. However, to fully comprehend the play, it’s essential to have a hint regarding some art concepts. Therefore, the essay aims to define tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, melodrama and performance art.

A tragedy is a branch of the drama treating in a severe and glorifying style the sorrowful or terrible events caused or encountered by a heroic individual. In other words, it’s a play that has an unhappy ending. Ideally, the tragic heroes make free choices which in effect results in suffering, defeat and some instances triumph due to frustration.

Comedy, in the modern sense, refers to a form of entertainment whether in literature, theatre, film, television or stand-up that is humorous and whose main aim is to induce laughter. Comedy usually focuses on everyday people through an examination of the unpredictable behavior and relationships aspects.

Tragicomedy is a dramatic work that incorporates both tragic and comic elements. The term describes plays that have a mood which changes from light to heavy or one which has an ending that is neither tragic nor comic.

Melodrama is a sensational dramatic peace with exaggerated characters and exciting events that are intended to appeal to the emotions. The characters usually show stronger feelings than a real person does. Melodrama illustrates good and evil forces battling in exaggerated conditions.

Performance art is a theatrical presentation that emerged in the late twentieth century. Therefore, is a time-based art form featuring a live presentation to an audience and which draws arts such as dance, painting, poetry, and acting.