Abstract:
The focus of this research work is on the analysis of plot as the coause of events in two Siswati plays: Kwaphenya Inkhungu (The mist cleared) and Umtsimba (Traditional wedding). The formalists approach is evident from the topic, introduction, rising and falling actions levels to the denouement of each play. The essential elements that are put together for dramatic purposes are the following: performance, audience, theatre and actors. The depiction of characters is outlined and categorized using their types and methods. In these plays people are expected to imitate a real-life situation, where they understand each other, share their views, ideas and opinions at various encounters and situations. They react and communicate through words, facial expressions, gestures or non-verbal sounds. The dramatic actions can be coupled with oral communication consisting of vocal features; namely sentences, repetition and non-vocal features and gestures which amplify the meaning of words. The analysis portrays the abundance of wit, a glory of diction, originality of phrase and vocabulary as well as folk sayings in speeches of different characters. Both theatrical and literary aspects of the plays are of primary significance. The analysis is backed-up by Russian Formalism‘s theory of literariness.
