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Semester 1: English Drama
Beginnings of Drama: Miracle and Morality Plays (Everyman), The Senecan and Revenge Tragedy (Thomas Kyd - The Spanish Tragedy)
Beginnings of Drama: Miracle and Morality Plays, The Senecan and Revenge Tragedy
Miracle Plays
Miracle plays originated in medieval Europe, primarily during the 12th century. They are based on the lives of saints and events from the Bible. The purpose of these plays was to educate the public about Christian values and the lives of saints. They were often performed in churches and used elaborate staging and costumes.
Morality Plays
Morality plays emerged in the late medieval period, focusing on moral lessons and the struggle between good and evil. Everyman, a significant morality play, depicts the journey of the protagonist, Everyman, as he seeks salvation. It emphasizes the importance of living a good life and the inevitability of death.
Senecan Tragedy
Senecan tragedy refers to the works of the Roman playwright Seneca, whose influence on Elizabethan drama is significant. His tragedies are characterized by themes of revenge, horror, and the supernatural. These plays often involve intense emotional conflicts and moral dilemmas.
Revenge Tragedy
Revenge tragedy became popular in the late 16th century, influenced by Senecan themes. Thomas Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy is a prime example, exploring themes of vengeance, madness, and justice. The genre typically features a doomed protagonist, a complex plot, and a tragic ending.
Cultural Context
The development of these forms of drama occurred during the transition from medieval to Renaissance England. The Church's influence on society began to wane, and secular themes gained prominence. The rise of the audience's interest in human experiences led to a richer exploration of character and morality in plays.
Elizabethan Theatre: Theatres, Theatre Groups, Audience, Actors and Conventions, Tragedy and Comedy, Christopher Marlowe - The Jew of Malta, Ben Jonson - Volpone
Elizabethan Theatre
Elizabethan theatres were primarily open-air structures. The most famous theatre was The Globe, built in 1599, which hosted many of Shakespeare's plays. Other notable theatres included The Rose and The Blackfriars. The design typically featured a thrust stage surrounded by the audience on three sides.
The most influential groups were the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which included Shakespeare. Other significant companies included Pembroke's Men and Leicester's Men. These groups were often patronized by nobility and played a crucial role in the popularity of theatre.
The audience was diverse, ranging from the wealthy upper class to commoners. Different social classes had specific viewing areas; the groundlings stood in the pit while the elite sat in boxes. Audience interaction was common, with viewers often shouting or responding to performances.
All actors were male, including those playing female roles. Performance conventions included minimal scenery, use of elaborate costumes, and the use of a prologue or epilogue. Actors were skilled in both tragedy and comedy, often switching roles between genres.
Tragedy typically focused on serious themes and portrayed the downfall of noble characters, as seen in plays like Hamlet. Comedy often involved mistaken identities and romantic entanglements; Shakespeare's comedies are prime examples, incorporating clever wordplay and humor.
Marlowe's play is a critical exploration of greed and revenge, centered on the character of Barabas. It showcases the complexity of its antagonist and reflects societal issues of the time, such as religious tension and the perception of Jews.
Jonson's satirical comedy examines themes of greed and deception. The titular character, Volpone, pretends to be dying to dupe various suitors. The play critiques the moral and social decay of society, using sharp wit and elaborate characterizations.
Jacobean Drama: John Webster - The White Devil
Jacobean Drama: John Webster - The White Devil
Historical Context
Jacobean drama emerged in the early 17th century under the reign of King James I. It is characterized by its complex characters and exploration of dark themes such as ambition, murder, and moral corruption. The socio-political environment of the time, including issues of power and the court's intrigues, heavily influenced the themes present in Webster's works.
John Webster's Background
Webster was a prominent playwright of the Jacobean era, known for his tragedy and dark themes. Little is known about his early life, but he gained recognition for his unique style, marked by an interest in the macabre and psychological aspects of characters. His works often delve into the darker aspects of human nature.
The White Devil Overview
The White Devil, written around 1612, is one of Webster's most significant plays. It tells a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and revenge, centering around the character of Vittoria Corombona and her tragic fate. The play showcases themes of love, power, and the duality of human nature.
Main Characters
Vittoria Corombona, the protagonist, is portrayed as a strong and complex woman. Other key characters include Brachiano, who embodies ambition and desire, and Francisco, who represents honor and revenge. The dynamics between these characters reflect the moral ambiguity prevalent in Jacobean drama.
Themes and Motifs
The White Devil explores numerous themes including corruption, revenge, and the struggle for power. The motif of appearance versus reality is central, as characters often wear masks of deception. The play also critiques societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding gender roles.
Language and Style
Webster's language is characterized by eloquence and vivid imagery, using a blend of poetic and realistic dialogue. His ability to convey complex emotions and psychological depth has contributed to the enduring relevance of The White Devil.
Critical Reception
Initially, The White Devil received mixed reviews, but over time it has been recognized as a masterpiece of Jacobean tragedy. Critics praise its exploration of moral complexity and its intricate plotting, considering it a precursor to later dramatic works that delve into the darker sides of humanity.
Restoration: William Congreve - The Way of the World, Irish Dramatic Movement, J. M. Synge - The Playboy of the Western World
English Drama
M.A.
English
1
Periyar University
Core II: English Drama
Restoration and Irish Dramatic Movement
Restoration Theatre
The Restoration period began in 1660 with the restoration of Charles II to the throne of England. It marked a significant revival of drama after the Puritan suppression of theatrical performances. Key features include the introduction of professional female actors and a focus on comedy and social commentary.
William Congreve and The Way of the World
William Congreve was a prominent playwright of the Restoration era. His most famous work, The Way of the World, showcases wit, complex characters, and a critique of contemporary society. The play revolves around themes of love, manipulation, and the societal constraints of the time.
Irish Dramatic Movement
The Irish Dramatic Movement emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aiming to create a distinct national theatre. This movement sought to express Irish identity and culture through drama, often drawing on folklore and language.
J. M. Synge and The Playboy of the Western World
J. M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World premiered in 1907 and is a seminal work of the Irish Dramatic Movement. The play explores themes of identity, heroism, and the clash between modernity and tradition in Irish society. Its controversial reception highlighted the tensions within Irish cultural identity.
Epic Theatre and Modern Movements: Bertolt Brecht - Mother Courage and her Children, Comedy of Menace, Harold Pinter - Birthday Party, Post-Modern Drama, Samuel Beckett - Waiting for Godot
Epic Theatre and Modern Movements
Bertolt Brecht and Epic Theatre
Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright and poet who developed the concept of Epic Theatre. This form seeks to provoke critical thinking in the audience rather than emotional involvement. Brecht aimed to create a theatre that was politically and socially engaged, using techniques that disrupted the illusion of reality.
Mother Courage and Her Children
One of Brecht's most famous works, Mother Courage and Her Children, explores themes of war, capitalism, and survival. The central character, Mother Courage, tries to profit from war but ultimately suffers tremendous losses. The play uses the 'Verfremdungseffekt' or alienation effect to encourage the audience to reflect on the implications of war.
Comedy of Menace and Harold Pinter
The Comedy of Menace is a genre associated with playwrights like Harold Pinter, characterized by a blend of humor and threat. Pinter's works often feature ambiguous situations, pauses, and language that conveys underlying tension. His play, The Birthday Party, exemplifies these themes through its portrayal of the ordinary turned sinister.
Post-Modern Drama
Post-modern drama challenges traditional narrative structures and often incorporates elements of absurdism, fragmentation, and metafiction. This movement reflects a departure from the certainty and realism of earlier forms, favoring ambiguity and open-ended interpretations.
Samuel Beckett and Waiting for Godot
Waiting for Godot is a seminal work in post-modern drama, exemplifying absurdist themes. The play features two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who wait for a character named Godot, who never arrives. The work explores existential questions, the absurdity of life, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
