A Brief History of Drama Essay

The time period from about 1650 to 1920 was ever changing in the world of drama. Neo-classicism sprung up from Grecian and Roman models in Europe during the Enlightenment, romanticistism struck the Globe in the 1800s based on principles handle emotion, intuition and seeking God. During and after the 1800s naturalism and pragmatism began to guide major roles in the argona of drama. Naturalists such(prenominal) as August Strindberg and historicalists such as Henrik Ibsen show up an entirely different view of what drama is all about.During the time period known universally as the Enlightenment, an artistic drive flair came about in Europe that reflected in many ways the Greek and Roman tradition. Ancient Greeks and Romans focused their art on harmony, symmetry, and balance, while belongings an equal emphasis on logic and aesthetic. During the enlightenment there was a major importance placed upon science, reason and thought. These human, but multifaceted functions are dis bit ed in many neo-classicism tactical maneuvers. Plays such as Racines Phaedra clearly demonstrate the notion of parking lot sense and the idea that if you have a puzzle or cause a problem you will be punished.This course is very typical of the neo-classics because it is based on the ancient Greek play Hippolyths written by Euripidies in ancient Greece. Hippolyths is very closely link up to its modern version Phaedra. completely neo-classic era plays were in some way based on the French Academys rules for drama which refer a concrete moral, no monologues and truth along with few other qualifications. Most plays that possess some or all of these qualities are from the neo-classicism era. subsequently the 1700s a new way of thinking developed that didnt involve as much truth or structure. Free menses emotionally based romanticism paved the way for drama in the 19th century.The 1800s were a time of innovation and industrial revolution. In America, thousands of people were migrat ing to cities to find work in large factories powered by new, innovative technologies. New thinking developed through the likes of Charles Darwin and the Origin of the Species, and Karl Marx and the communist Manifesto. Romanticism deals with three main ideas, emotion, intuition, and seeking God, while grasping the audition with thick plots andpoetic language. All of these qualities are displayed in most romantic plays of the 19th century.Throughout the late 1800s and early 20th century, naturalist and heartyist took charge of the drama scene with a new outlook of what could be done on stage. With Naturalism comes plays which display daily life and passageway language with real settings meant to display a message or cause. With realism comes real language, strong plots, realistic settings and cordial critique. In realistic plays such as Henrik Ibsens A Doll House, a very common situation involving an everyday married couple is reviewed and critiqued. In the naturalistic play Miss Julie by Swedish playwright August Strindberg, a naturalistic tragedy develops as the characters find themselves trapped in an odd honor triangle.Both Naturalism and Realism were monumental to drama because they explored many social issues very critically while challenging the neo-classicism view of what is allowed on stage. It seems unadorned that both naturalism and realism attempted to over tonicity the boundaries of what was acceptable onstage and it is very apparent that it was a success because many naturalism and realism era plays are still popular today. Unlike the strict control neo-classicism or the emotionally based romanticism, naturalism and realism display real events, real people and real stories that can be related to by real people. Television shows today are very realistic. With the new roll out of reality T.V. hitting every station, it is obvious that the realist and naturalist took a step in the right direction when they looked beyond restriction and let what is real come to life.It is obvious that very monumental changes occurred in drama from 1650-1920. All over the world new ideas and innovations were being explored and challenged on stage.