Final answer:
A melodrama is a genre that can cross into other genres, characterized by ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances with serious themes and a clear division between good and evil.
Step-by-step explanation:
A melodrama is a genre that can cross into other genres. It is characterized by ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances with serious themes and a clear division between good and evil.
Melodramas often involve a damsel in distress being saved by a hero and follow a straightforward plot line. The genre originated in the 19th century as a form of entertainment for the middle class.