Comparison of Elizabethan and Restoration Drama

1. Comparison of
Elizabethan and
Restoration Drama
Presented at: Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English
MKBU,Bhavnagar.
Paper 105A: History of English Literature – From 1350 to 1900

2. Personal Information
Presented by: Yashrajsinh Sodha
Enrollment Number: 5108230043
Batch: 2023-2025
Date: 09 November, 2023
Subject Code: 22396
Roll No: 50
Email: yashrajsinhsodha0000@gmail.com

3. ● Dramatic literature, the texts of
plays that can be read, as
distinct from being seen and
heard in performance.
● The term dramatic literature
implies a contradiction in that
literature originally meant
something written and drama
meant something performed.
(Styan, Britannica)
What is Drama?

4. Characteristic of Elizabethan Drama
● Blank Verse
● Soliloquies and Asides
● Historical and Tragic Themes
● Complex Characters
● Comic Relief
● Supernatural Elements
● Theatricality
● Versatility of Themes
● Chorus
● Social Commentary (Long)

5. Characteristic of Restoration Drama
● Comedy of Manners
● Sexuality and Libertinism
● Wit and Wordplay
● Stock Characters
● Rhymed Couplets
● Themes of Marriage and Infidelity
● Restoration of the Monarchy
● Influence of French Drama
● Critique of Social Norms
● Moral Ambiguity (Long)

6. Comparison of Elizabethan and Restoration Drama
Aspect
Elizabethan Drama Restoration Drama
Time Period Late 16th century to early 17th century Late 17th century to early 18th century
Monarchs Queen Elizabeth Charles II
Influence of Classical
Drama
Influenced by Greek and Roman drama Heavily influenced by French Neoclassical
drama
Themes Historical, Tragedy, Comedy, Romance Satire, Social Comedy, Sexual Intrigue,
Farce
Morality and Censorship Plays often had moralistic elements Less moralistic, more permissive, and
bawdy
Female Actors No female actors; male actors portrayed
female roles
Female actors were allowed on stage,
leading to more gender-appropriate casting

7. Comparison of Elizabethan and Restoration Drama
Aspect
Elizabethan Drama Restoration Drama
Playwrights William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe,
Ben Jonson
John Dryden, William Wycherley, Aphra
Behn
Comedy Styles Romantic comedies and slapstick humor Witty, satirical, and often risqué humor
Political Influence Reflects the political climate of the time Often supported or mocked the monarchy and
aristocracy
Actors and Acting Style Performers often wore elaborate costumes and
masks
More emphasis on naturalistic acting and
facial expressions
Historical Significance Marked the flourishing of English drama Reflects the reopening of theaters after a
period of suppression
Audience and
Reception
Diverse audience from the common people to
the nobility
Focused on the upper-class society and
aristocracy

8. Conclusion
● The comparison of Elizabethan and Restoration drama highlights the
evolution of English theater.
● Elizabethan drama, with its romantic and poetic themes, laid the
foundation for English theater and Shakespeare's legacy.
● In contrast, Restoration drama, with its wit and satire, was shaped
by the changing political and social landscape of the late 17th
century.
● The two eras represent different styles and influences, but both
have left a lasting impact on the world of drama, showcasing the
adaptability of the dramatic arts to reflect and respond to the
changing world. (ChatGPT)

9. References
"Comparison of Elizabethan and Restoration Drama." ChatGPT, OpenAI, 2023,
https://www.openai.com.
Long, William. “English Literature.” The Project Gutenberg eBook of English Literature,
Kevin Handy, Dave Maddock and PG Distributed Proofreaders, 2004,
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/10609/pg10609-images.html. Accessed 08
November 2023.
Styan, J.L.. "dramatic literature". Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Oct. 2023,
https://www.britannica.com/art/dramatic-literature. Accessed 8 November 2023.

10. Thank You