Theatre

The dramatic structure of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE can be interesting to look at. The play is a very dark comedy that maintains a number of over the top humor scenes. However, the dramatic structure of the work is not much different from serious dramas that cover the well made play paradigm. Because of this, it is not very difficult to see where in the play ARSENIC AND OLD LACE presents the similar structure. This structure is clearly visible in the opening scene, the obstacles and complications, and the crisis and climax. Each of these components will be detailed as they relate to proper composition of dramatic structure.

The opening seen introduces the characters of Abby and Martha Brewster, and their nephew, Teddy. They are seen interacting with a reverend and two police officers. The purpose of such a dull introduction is to show there is nothing out of the ordinary in the family. This sets up the over the top ironic revelation that Abby and Martha are homicidal murderesses.

The complications arise when Teddy wishes to leave the family to marry but is conflicted when he discovers his aunts have been murdering men as a form of misguided charity. That is, they feel it is their duty to put these men out of their lonely misery. Needless to say, this makes for a number of complications in the drama of the play.

This ties into Mortimers fears that he himself may be insane due to sharing the same genes as his aunts. Plus, Mortimer wants to stop his aunts murder spree without sending them to prison. This crisis eventually ends in the climax where Mortimer

discovers he is not biological related to his aunts who he has convinced to move into a rest home where they will not be able to commit further acts of murder.
Regarding the dramatic structure of the play, some refer to the writing as being episodic while others state that the play is more climatic in its writing. It would seem that the play is far more climatic in design that it is episodic. The reason for this is that the play does not link together a series of scenes designed to present laughs on their own. A common play structure of this nature would be a Neil Simon play. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE does not follow such a paradigm. Instead, it builds to a conclusion that the audience cannot guess.

Mortimers plight is a complex one. How can he stop his aunts murder spree while at the same time protecting them This is further compounded when the obstacle of the madman Jonathan enters the fray. What is Mortimer to do How does he save himself and resolve the situation he is in These are the questions the audience asks and they are indicative of a climatic structure in the writing of the work.

Again, this is because a sense of mystery is built in the development of the play. The audience is not sure how the events will be resolved at the conclusion. Episodic writing doesnt really use this structure. The scenes in episodic writing could almost stand on their own without even being connected to the plot. This is not the case with ARSENIC AND OLD LACE which is most definitely a play that builds to a very clear ending and climax.