Drama may be divided into types, or genres, such as tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy and melodrama, each with its specific conventions. You should consult a literary handbook, not a dictionary, for a description of these dramatic types. Understanding the conventions of each genre helps explain the world of the play and your reaction to it.
For example, tragedies deal with decline, death and disaster and end unhappily for the main characters. Comedies treat of obstacles easily overcome and end happily for the main character s, usually with the prospect of marriage for the young lovers and the reunion of family and friends. The world of tragedy is gloomy and dark; the world of comedy is sunny and light -hearted. We weep at the one spectacle and laugh at the other.