The Importance of Context in Drama

In literature, dramatic context refers to the relationship that a given event has with the story. Through a dramatic context, the audience is able to identify the intentions of the character based on the story. The book “Gilgamesh a Verse Narrative Book by Herbert Mason 2003” on page 49 provides a powerful poem describing a scenario involving a woman. Some of the poem lines utilized includes “because of her, she made me see, things as a man, and man sees death in things” (Mason, 2003, pp. 49). The following lines are a strong indicator of the dramatic context portrayed in the broader plot of the poem. 

Understanding the Character’s New Worldview 

Part of the dramatic context portrayed by the lines involves the search of a new point of view. The female character depicted in the lines accredits her colleague for providing her with a new worldview when she intimates that "because of her, she made me see things." The symbolic use of the word "see" illustrates a new beginning which further provides the readers with knowledge that the woman experienced a troubled past, and it is through her friend that she has been able to overcome her challenges and all odds against her to enjoy a new way of life. The readers of the poem can now understand that the character portrayed in the poem is in a transition from an old self to a new one. They can also deduce that the woman now applies a new approach in remedying all the mistakes that might have implicated her stuck in some form of mediocrity. When the character says "see things," the readers have a properly defined angle showing that the women have different dimensions of her life-changing including the social, economic, and the psychological aspects. From a dramatic perspective, the audience is able to experience a sense of transition to a new personality hallmarked by hope, self-reliance, and resilience. 

A Tough Individual 

The author continues by asserting that the lady character now saw "things as a man." The poet takes advantage of the use of imagery to depict how the woman has developed toughness and bravery normally associated with men. As such, the dramatic context painted here is that of a previously feeble, undetermined, and hopeless woman who has now received the much-needed impetus to overcome her challenges. The author draws from the societal beliefs which have always elevated the man to a more successful position in comparison to the woman. As a result, it becomes increasingly possible to explain how change sometimes requires additional ingredients such as bravery, courage, and determination. The readers are further introduced to a woman who must be suffering from isolation and rejection. Seeing things as a man reveals how the woman has to conform to the demands of two different genders. She has to fulfill both her motherly roles and also ensure that she performs the fatherly roles such as breadwinning amongst others. In essence, the woman learns how to develop an internal toughness or resilience that readies her to solve some of the most debilitating problems she could be experiencing. In acting like a man, the poet continues to paint a transition that seeks to create a new individual with a different position within the social network. 

The portrayal of the Man 

The third significant line that the author uses in this context says: “and man sees death in things.” Although the woman is asked to change her worldview by employing the approach of a man, the male gender tends to receive a negative depiction which symbolically exudes ruthlessness, violence, termination, and extinction amongst others. An ironical assessment occurs when the woman, who is required to change her perspective, is prescribed an approach that might not necessarily match her values and beliefs. The dramatic context portrayed here illustrates an increased sense of situational dilemma where the persona needs to choose a course of actions without which severe implications will also occur. In doing so, the man continues to draw from the societal perceptions regarding the institution of gender roles. Men are painted differently but with more aggressive and insensitive feelings. On the contrary, women are depicted as overly emotional individuals who constantly require a sense of direction to achieve the ultimate good. Form the scenario created by the words; the poet further attempts to show that change comes with its consequences. Although it is necessary for the woman to have a new life under new conditions, she is expected to acquire certain characteristics that might not conform to her beliefs. 

In conclusion, the most critical questions needed to be answered is how the lines help in fixing the problem at hand and how might this help. As earlier noted, the excerpt reveals a woman receiving help from her fellow woman. She is told to remain strong and view things in the same way a man would do. However, she also receives caution that men always see death in everything. Therefore, the problem is fixed when the woman develops a new way of dealing with her life. However, she has to become tough and apply any dirty or ruthless characteristics to survive in the face of the transition. Therefore, it helps her not only to embrace change but also to accumulate necessary characteristics to ensure that the change becomes sustainable. 

Reference 

Mason, H. (2003).  Gilgamesh: A verse narrative . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.