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Questions and Answers
Which medieval theater tradition involved complex retellings of biblical legends?
Which medieval theater tradition involved complex retellings of biblical legends?
What form of drama evolved from the mystery plays to address moral lessons?
What form of drama evolved from the mystery plays to address moral lessons?
Which playwright is NOT mentioned as a significant figure during the Elizabethan and Jacobean theatrical periods?
Which playwright is NOT mentioned as a significant figure during the Elizabethan and Jacobean theatrical periods?
What poetic form was commonly used in plays during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
What poetic form was commonly used in plays during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
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In addition to biblical themes, what other sources did playwrights draw from during this period?
In addition to biblical themes, what other sources did playwrights draw from during this period?
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What influence did the Italian Commedia dell'arte have on Renaissance theater?
What influence did the Italian Commedia dell'arte have on Renaissance theater?
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Which aspect of historical plays during the Renaissance was a focus?
Which aspect of historical plays during the Renaissance was a focus?
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Which of the following elements was a defining characteristic of Elizabethan theatre?
Which of the following elements was a defining characteristic of Elizabethan theatre?
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Which genres did Shakespeare primarily focus on in his early plays?
Which genres did Shakespeare primarily focus on in his early plays?
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What year was the First Folio of Shakespeare's works published?
What year was the First Folio of Shakespeare's works published?
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Which of the following is not considered one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies?
Which of the following is not considered one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies?
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What aspect of Shakespeare's writing has had a lasting influence on subsequent writers?
What aspect of Shakespeare's writing has had a lasting influence on subsequent writers?
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Which of the following authors was influenced by Shakespeare?
Which of the following authors was influenced by Shakespeare?
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What was happening in England while a flourishing of drama occurred in France?
What was happening in England while a flourishing of drama occurred in France?
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What is often regarded as the peak of sophistication in Shakespeare's art?
What is often regarded as the peak of sophistication in Shakespeare's art?
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In what way has Shakespeare's canon been described in terms of its status?
In what way has Shakespeare's canon been described in terms of its status?
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What genres of drama were produced in the city-state of Athens?
What genres of drama were produced in the city-state of Athens?
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Who is credited with the innovation of introducing an actor who speaks and impersonates a character?
Who is credited with the innovation of introducing an actor who speaks and impersonates a character?
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Which of the following dramatists is known for writing the oldest surviving drama?
Which of the following dramatists is known for writing the oldest surviving drama?
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Which part of the drama competition is specifically for tragedies?
Which part of the drama competition is specifically for tragedies?
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What was the typical composition of plays presented by tragic dramatists?
What was the typical composition of plays presented by tragic dramatists?
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When was comedy officially recognized with a prize in the City Dionysia competition?
When was comedy officially recognized with a prize in the City Dionysia competition?
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Which term describes the three divisions of ancient Greek comedy?
Which term describes the three divisions of ancient Greek comedy?
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What does the term 'classicism' imply when applied to drama?
What does the term 'classicism' imply when applied to drama?
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How many comic dramatists typically competed in the City Dionysia competition?
How many comic dramatists typically competed in the City Dionysia competition?
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Which of the following is not one of the recognized forms of drama from ancient Athens?
Which of the following is not one of the recognized forms of drama from ancient Athens?
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What aspect is commonly found in absurdist plays?
What aspect is commonly found in absurdist plays?
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Which playwright is NOT associated with the absurdist movement as defined by Esslin?
Which playwright is NOT associated with the absurdist movement as defined by Esslin?
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What is a common feature of dialogue in absurdist plays?
What is a common feature of dialogue in absurdist plays?
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Which work is considered one of the earliest theoretical accounts of Indian drama?
Which work is considered one of the earliest theoretical accounts of Indian drama?
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What role did theater play during British India?
What role did theater play during British India?
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Which playwright was added in subsequent editions of Esslin's definition of absurdism?
Which playwright was added in subsequent editions of Esslin's definition of absurdism?
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What is a characteristic of the characters in absurdist plays?
What is a characteristic of the characters in absurdist plays?
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Which factor significantly shaped Indian culture during the Middle Ages?
Which factor significantly shaped Indian culture during the Middle Ages?
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What is the primary purpose of epic theater?
What is the primary purpose of epic theater?
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Which effect discourages emotional engagement from the audience in epic theater?
Which effect discourages emotional engagement from the audience in epic theater?
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How does Brecht suggest actors should perform in epic theater?
How does Brecht suggest actors should perform in epic theater?
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What production technique is commonly used in epic theater?
What production technique is commonly used in epic theater?
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Epic theater is a reaction against which theatrical movement?
Epic theater is a reaction against which theatrical movement?
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What role does comedy play in epic theater?
What role does comedy play in epic theater?
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Which statement about characters in epic theater is true?
Which statement about characters in epic theater is true?
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What aspect of traditional theater is most opposed by epic theater?
What aspect of traditional theater is most opposed by epic theater?
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Which of the following works is attributed to Aeschylus?
Which of the following works is attributed to Aeschylus?
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What is the total number of dramatists whose works are known to survive in reference to the theory about Prometheus Bound?
What is the total number of dramatists whose works are known to survive in reference to the theory about Prometheus Bound?
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Who edited The Cambridge Guide to Theatre?
Who edited The Cambridge Guide to Theatre?
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On which pages does Brockett and Hildy discuss the history of theatre extensively?
On which pages does Brockett and Hildy discuss the history of theatre extensively?
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Which of the following references discusses the work of multiple dramatists?
Which of the following references discusses the work of multiple dramatists?
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Which edition of History of the Theatre was published by Allyn and Bacon?
Which edition of History of the Theatre was published by Allyn and Bacon?
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What is the primary focus of Brockett and Hildy's discussion?
What is the primary focus of Brockett and Hildy's discussion?
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Which of these dramatists has their works attributed to a number of pages ranging from 442 to 445 in Banham’s work?
Which of these dramatists has their works attributed to a number of pages ranging from 442 to 445 in Banham’s work?
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Study Notes
Drama Definition
- Drama comes from the Greek word "dráma," meaning "action"
- Derived from the Greek word "dráō," meaning "to do"
- The enactment of drama on stage involves actors performing before an audience
- Found in almost all cultures
Traditional Generic Division
- Represented by two masks: Thalia (comedy) and Melpomene (tragedy)
- Thalia symbolizes the Muse of comedy
- Melpomene symbolizes the Muse of tragedy
Drama's Narrow Sense
- Dates back to the 19th century
- Refers to a play that isn't comedy or tragedy
- Examples include Émile Zola's Thérèse Raquin (1873) and Anton Chekhov's Ivanov (1887)
- Used by the film and television industry to categorize a genre
Theories of Drama
- Originate from Ancient Greek philosophers, such as Plato
- Plato argued against drama in his ideal state, believing theatrical imitation was harmful
- Aristotle emphasized tragedy's role in catharsis (purging emotions), serving the greater social good
History of Western Drama: Classical Athenian Drama
- Western drama originated in classical Greece, specifically in Athens
- Athenian drama included tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays
- Plays were performed during festivals honoring Dionysus (god of wine and fertility)
- Early dramatists like Thespis are known for innovations like actors presenting roles
- Plays involved a chorus interacting with the actor or actors (hypokrites), who impersonated characters
Characteristics of Classicism in Drama
- Emphasizes order, clarity, moral purpose, and good taste
- Often inspired by Aristotle and Horace
- Plays should follow the three unities:
- Unity of place: one setting throughout the play
- Unity of time: events should occur within a 24-hour period
- Unity of action: one central plot with all subplots connected
Roman Drama
- Encountered Greek drama after expanding into Greek territories
- Roman theater was more varied than earlier Greek forms
- Plays were more varied and extended in scope
- Drama continued throughout the Roman Empire
- Included plays by Plautus and Terence, adapting Greek comedies
- Roman tragedies, though some survive, are less known.
Medieval and Renaissance Drama
- Mystery Plays: Portraying biblical stories, performed in Catholic Churches or by wandering players
- Morality Plays: Exploring moral themes with allegorical characters
- Both Medieval and Renaissance forms were closely related to religious celebrations and festivals
Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama
- Plays from this era were often written in verse (iambic pentameter), notably plays by Shakespeare
- Included comedies, histories, and tragedies
- These plays were popular and are still known today
Film and Television
- With the invention of film, theater productions were recorded, offering a new medium
- Film brought new forms of drama such as "police dramas" and "medical dramas"
- Films often combined different story lines
Modern and Contemporary Theater
- Epic Theater: A reaction against realism and naturalism. Characters represent ideas not individuals. Audience is invited to judge the action rather than be emotionally swept away. Uses devices to "alienate" the audience.
- Theatre of Cruelty: Emphasizes physicality, psychological impact, and sensory experiences
- Theatre of the Absurd: Characters and plots often have little meaning or direction. Examines themes of human existence and suffering.
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Description
Explore the fundamental definitions and theories of drama, including its origins and the traditional classifications of comedy and tragedy. This quiz will guide you through the historical context and the evolution of drama as a literary and performative art form. Test your knowledge on key figures and concepts in Western drama.
