Drama Quote by David Mamet
““The basis of drama is ... is the struggle of the hero towards a specific goal at the end of which he realizes that what kept him from it was, in the lesser drama, civilization and, in the great drama, the discovery of something that he did not set out to discover but which can be seen retrospectively as inevitable. The example Aristotle uses, of course, is Oedipus.””
About This Quote
Source Play: American Buffalo, 1975 (quoted in interview)
He outlines drama as a hero’s struggle toward a goal, revealing deeper, unintended discoveries.
In simple terms: Drama reveals hidden, inevitable truths.
Key Takeaway
Embrace unexpected outcomes.
Themes
drama
hero’s journey
destiny
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- theatre productions
- creative writing
- film analysis
Key Concepts
literature
philosophy
narrative structure
Questions to Reflect On
- What “unintended discoveries” have shaped your path?
- How does recognizing inevitability affect your choices?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on goals can miss deeper meaning.
![“I kind of pride myself on coming onto things that are well-oiled machines and finding a way to bring what I bring and fit in, and raise it to another level if I can. And this [Code Black ] has been another one of those really fun success stories, much like Parks And Recreation, although obviously…” quote by Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea3/rob-lowe-855_black_i-kind-of-pride-myself-on-coming-onto-th_6557.jpg)