Plays and short stories are two very distinct genres. They include many different characteristics, as well as similar ones. One of the greatest plays ever written was Shakespeare, "Hamlet-. In "Hamlet-, there is plenty of room for interpretation because, first of all it is a play, and second the writer does not give you painted scenery in which to imagine the characters, and setting. .
Just as there are great plays there are great short stories. A perfect example of this is Tolstoy's, "The Death of Ivan Ilyich-; even though this is a short story the author does not give you any room for interpretation. You imagination is limited because Tolstoy's description of details is very vivid.
One of the most important scenes in "Hamlet- is the "to be or not to be- scene. Shakespeare does not tell us anything about this scene; all we know is that Hamlet is in some type of stage of pain and despair, and he is questioning is life. We as readers have the opportunity to set the scene as we wish. I could imagine him on top of an edged mountain just about to throw him off. In one of the Hamlet movies, this scene is set as Hamlet being inside a tomb filled with caskets. But this scene is up to the director. .
Another important point is that we don't know how the characters are dressed. All we know is that this play was written a long time ago; therefore, obviously, the characters are not wearing space suits. Also we know that they live in a castle, with kings, and queens, so they also do not dress in rags and dirt. Let's take this scene again, for example we don't even know what Hamlet may be holding. As far as we know he could be holding a skull and speaking to it. We as readers have not idea what Shakespeare vision was, all we have is our vision. .
The severe problem with plays is that it can be difficult for a reader to imagine the scene. This is why plays are acted and put on stage, other than just read in a book.