History of English Drama in English Literature l Notes on origin and growth of English drama l Ancient Greek Drama - Roman Drama - Roman Comedies - The Rebirth of Drama - Medieval drama - Renaissance drama - Modern drama - Post Modern Drama

Rise and Growth of English Drama from Ancient Greek age to Post Modern Age 

 Definition of Drama

The play is a literary work performed in front of an audience by professional actors on stage (or in theatre). It covers disputes, acts and a specific topic. A major element is the eye-catching composition, facial emotions and body language of the artists.

Drama origin: Western drama began about 500 B.C. in Greece. Three kinds of plays comprise of ancient Greek drama:

• Satyr's 
• Tragedy 
• Comedy

Ancient Greek Drama: 

The earliest tragedies are believed to have been staged in 534 B.C. Satyr plays were introduced in 501 B.C during Dionysus festival in Athens. Comedies were first produced publicly in 486 B.C. in Athens. The Greek play at Athens was flourishing between 500 B.C. and 300 B.C.

In ancient Greece, Athens seems to have been the main center of drama. Comedies also took place in Sicily from the beginning of the fifth century B.C. The first plays were intended to honor gods and divinities. Masks representing figures were utilized; thick bottom boots were used to enhance height. Antigone, Oedipus Rex and Medea are some of the best-known dramas of the period.

Roman Drama:

Roman drama refers to any theatrical genre written in the Latin language of tragedy, comedy, farce, mime and theatre. The people of the city of Rome employed Latin and ultimately became the official dialect of the Roman Republic (509 30 B.C.) and of the Roman Empire (30 B.C. 476 A.D.).

The Romans saw the first stage at Rome in 364 B.C. The Tuscan people performed to assist the Romans avoid a plague. They did some dance with flute music. In 240 B.C., Rome staged the first formal theatrical play. Livius Andronicus performs a tragedy and a ludi Romani comedy (Roman games). The Greek slave was Livius Andronicus. Whether his performances were translations or adaptations of Greek plays is unknown.

Roman comedies and tragic events in:

• Temple dedications.
• Triumphal parades.
• Funerals of Roman aristocrats.
• Festivals known as Ludi.

Roman theatres were temporary timber constructions pulled down. After 55 B.C., the first stone stage was observed. Roman aristocracy sponsored Roman plays, the performers were noble too.

Fall of Rome:

Roman dramas and Roman comedy had a lasting influence on the Western dramatic tradition in particular.

Death of Drama:

This was partly due to the lack of interest of Romans in the theatre and of late ancient Christians. Acting was deemed unchristian in the early mediaeval era when the theatre performances were prohibited by the Roman Catholic Church. Drama has been dead for a few of years.

The Rebirth of Drama:

Drama was reintroduced in Western Europe around the 10th century. Just as theatre among Greeks was born a component of religious observances, it was resurrected among Christians as part of religion. Drama has been revived in the Middle Ages (Medieval Period).

Medieval drama:

The Christian feast had always contained potentially dramatic aspects. In the 10th century, the Easter celebration was marked by pieces of repeated speech, termed tropes. This was the birth of the play in Western post-classical Europe. These little dramas (troops) became increasingly complex. Some of the later Latin songs were complex and took a long time to perform. These plays were intended to educate religion.

Dramatic content is to be found in the late 12th and early 13th centuries as well as in the 14th centuries. Most of it is inherently religious. These plays may be categorized as follows:

• Mystery Plays takes the shape of Christ's life.
• Miracle Plays are based on the saints' lives.
• Morality Plays were showing the good and moral sides.

Renaissance drama:

It opened the way for the domination of the country's drama. During the time, Queen Elizabeth I, reigned Great poetry and theatre were created. William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson and John Webster were the famous playwrights of this period. The playwrights were focused on topics such as history, comedy and tragedy. Shakespeare was an artist who created pictures based on all three topics. Drama was performed in temporary locations before. The first public theatre was constructed in 1567, the Red Lion Theater in the White Chapel. With the creation of public theatres and performing firms, a group of highly educated individuals who are well versed in classical literature fulfilled the need for plays.

Modern drama: 

By the end of the 9th century, the Industrial Revolution and other economic developments ensured that the most of theatre people were wealthy, educated middle classes. In the 19th century, romanticism gave way to realism, preparing the stage for modern drama in the 20th century. Contemporary drama displays the impact of everything that has happened before. Modern theatre included extensive experiments with new forms and concepts.

At the beginning of the 20th century, theatrical dramas prevailed in New York and England, but straight dramatic play was published every theatre season. W. S. Gilbert, Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw are famous writers during this period.

Post Modern Drama: 

Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the bulk of musical plays from the 20th century. His works were very popular. The dramas moved in New York and across the globe to Broadway. Some of them have also become feature films. At the conclusion of the 20th century, postmodernism had a significant impact on the existence of English play. However, a great number of theatres, in the west portion of London, still remain near Shaftesbury Avenue. The Royal Shakespeare Company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, performs most of the plays written by the famous playwright.

Conclusion :

Greeks who inspired most of the plays in Rome began the theatre in western Europe. The drama also perished as the world witnessed the collapse of the Roman Empire. Drama was resurrected as part of religion in early mediaeval times.

The way plays were viewed throughout the Renaissance has altered in people like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson and John Webster. The contemporary drama is still alive but most people are beginning to take more interest in other entertainment sources.