An effort to search the exact history of drama along with its development. This work also includes all the eras of English Literature with its link to Drama. However, one presentation couldn't define a complete history of drama. Thanks

1. Drama
Its Origin,
Growth
&
Development
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI
M . P h i l . E n g l i s h
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 1

2. Drama
The word “drama” is derived from the
Greek word “dran” means to do, to
perform; a kin to Greek “drainein” means to
be ready, to do and technically it means
deed, action on the stage.
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 2

3. Definition of Drama
Drama is an imitation of life in which dialogues and acting
are in full consonance with real life where acting and
performance occupy the first place and dance and
dialogues occupy the second place.
Drama is a branch of fine arts. According to some scholars the
drama is a literary miracle which is written for the stage; dialogues
and speeches are in the form of poem; sentiments and feelings are
expressed by body and tongue.
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 3

4. Functions of Drama
• Drama is said to have originated from rituals.
• It presents a story realistically through the actors to the
audience.
• Drama is therefore used to
• Entertain
• Inform
• Educate
For instance, most campaigns against AIDS, DRUG ABUSE, CHILD ABUSE and so on, are
presented in form of drama to educate
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 4

5. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 5
Play on AIDS Awareness
Play on Drug Abuse Awareness

6. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 6
Stage Performance on Child Abuse Awareness
Drama on Hand Washing Awareness

7. Origin of Drama
It is commonly believed that the art of drama is
western form of literature and it has been originated
from the Greeks. But in reality it is totally opposite to it
as the Encyclopedia Americana has rejected this theory. It
traces its origin in Egypt as far back as 3200 B.C.
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 7

8. Origin of Drama…
Some modem researches indicated that some knowledge of the
drama may have come from Egypt where it is known of
Egyptian drama was the famous Abydos or Osiris passion
play. Osiris being the name of the god whose history is
celebrated.
The pyramid texts of which at least 55 exists the coronation
festival plays, several of which survive in some forms;
Hebseds( Coronation Jubilees), physical evidences of which
still exist in great number Passion plays, at least three; and at
least one medicinal play recognized by Egyptology
(Freedly & Reeve)
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 8

9. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 9

10. Origin of Drama…
o Scholars are divided on the origin of drama Some
trace the origin to Greece but others insist that drama
in its definitive form or pattern evolved from Egypt
o However, the account of tracing the origin of drama
to Greece is more plausible. The evolution is clearer
and well-documented.
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 10

11. Origin of Drama…
Western Theatre
The origins of Western drama can be traced to the
celebratory music of 6th-century BC Attica, the Greek
region centered on Athens. Although accounts of this
period are inadequate, it appears that the poet Thespis
developed a new musical form in which he
impersonated a single character and engaged a chorus
of singer dancers in dialogue. As the first composer
and soloist in this new form, which came to be known
as tragedy, Thespis can be considered both the first
dramatist and the first actor.
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 11

12. Greek Drama
6th century BCE – was worship of the Greek god Dionysus
◦ Dionysus – god of wine (pleasure god)
◦ Had two sides to him good and bad (comedy and tragedy)
•Chorus – group of chanters – danced around an altar to
commemorate his death
•Song they sang was called the goat-song or tragos (the Greek
word for tragedy)

13. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 13
Thalia + Melpomene Masks

14. These performances evolved into dramatic contests
◦ Lasted 5-6 days.
◦ Last three days four plays were performed
◦ 3 tragedies (trilogy) and a comedy (satyr)
◦ Thespis (the first actor) won the first competition by
stepping out from the chorus and engaging in dialogue
◦ Thespian – the name given to actors ever since
Greek Drama

15. Held in the open on hillsides surrounding a circular
area called the orchestra
Wooden seats were added, then stone
Some theaters seated more than 17,000 people!!
Greek Theatre

16. oExplain the situation
oBring the audience up-to-date
oMake a commentary on the action
oEngage in dialogue with the actors
Eventually role diminished as actors’ roles expanded. The chorus is still
used to increase realism of scenes and to engage in scenes with the main
characters.
The Role Chorus

17. Aeschylus
o Expanded number of actors, reduced the
size of the chorus
o Only surviving trilogy – the Oresteia
•Sophocles
•Ranked with Shakespeare as one of the best
playwrights of all time.
•Refined plot structure to create unified works
•Author of Oedipus and Antigone
Authors of Greek Drama

18. Euripides
o Emphasized human relationships
o Master of pathos – human sorrow and compassion
o Author of The Trojan Women and Medea
•Aristophanes
oAuthor of Greek comedy
oConsidered nothing sacred
oSkilled satirist and observer of humanity
oAuthor of The Frogs, The Clouds, and Lysistrata

19. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 19
Menander
was a Greek dramatist and the best-known representative of Athenian
New Comedy. He wrote 108 comedies and took the prize at the Lenaia
festival eight times.

20. Roman Drama
Most were just copies of Greek Drama
Andronicus – first “Roman” playwright, an author
from a Greek colony
◦ First Roman tragedy was a translation from a Greek play
Roman Theater
◦ Amphitheaters – large circular
arenas surrounded by tiers of
seats.

21. Roman Dramatist
Where the Greek dramatists were writing for festival
presentation and the kudos that would ensue, the
Roman theatre was commercial and the dramatists
wrote for money or patronage. Plautus and Terence
adapted Greek originals.
It is known that they used the plays of Menander
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 21

22. AMPHITHEATRE

23. Medieval Drama
Battle between Christian religions (Catholicism mostly) and Pagan religions. Trying to “reform” the
world. Any play that was not approved by the church was considered blasphemous.
Liturgical drama – question-answer song performed by monks on Easter
Saint plays – based on legends of saints
Mystery plays – based on biblical history
Passion plays – address the last week of Christ’s life
Morality plays – taught the difference between right and wrong
(context of devil and God battling for souls).

24. Medieval Drama
Performed on platforms called mansions.
◦ Three mansions represented Heaven, Hell and the Sea of Galilee
Medieval craft guilds took over the presentation of drama
◦ Pageant wagons – stages on wheels
◦ Divided into two levels (upper = stage, lower = dressing area)

25. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 25
Medieval Drama
Medieval Drama

26. Medieval Drama
Folk Drama – secular drama (non-religious)
Discouraged by the church
Took place around planting and harvest time and presented
outdoors
 Most pagan religions gave thanks to an earth goddess, hence celebration around
planting and harvest.
Example: Robin Hood

27. The Renaissance Italy
Weak imitations of classical plays
Opera – an attempt to revive Greek Drama
Commedia Dell’arte – “comedy of the profession”
◦ Professional improvised comedy
◦ Plot outlines posted before performance
◦ No scripts
◦ Stock characters which represented two classes

28. Harlequin (Arlecchino in Italian) is the most popular of the zanni or
comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell'Arte.

29. The Renaissance England
Climax came during the Elizabethan Age
◦ Queen Elizabeth supported the arts more than any other
ruler of the time
◦ Threats of closing the theatre due to the plague were often
stopped because of her
◦ Financially assisted some troupes and theaters

30. The Renaissance Dramatist
Christopher Marlowe
◦ Introduced important use of blank verse
◦ Shakespeare’s main competition
◦ Author of Doctor Faustus (story of a man who sells his soul)
Ben Johnson
◦ Master of English comedy
◦ Author of Volpone, The Alchemist and Every Man in His
Humour

31. William Shakespeare
◦ The greatest dramatist of all time!!
◦ The characters form the center of interest in Shakespeare’s
plays
◦ Iambic pentameter/blank verse
◦ Author of Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and
35 others!
◦ Also wrote 154 sonnets!!

32. The Elizabethan Playhouse
The Globe and The Rose two most famous
Platform (thrust) stage with courtyard around on three sides
Three tiers of seating – the higher the tier the more expensive
the seat (opposite of today’s theatre) Open air – if it rained, the
groundlings got wet

33. GLOBE (INSIDE VIEW)

34. Restoration Drama
English Royal Patent of 1662 – women appeared as
players for the first time
Raked stages – sloped upward so audience could see
the performance

35. Restoration Drama
Authors
John Dryden (1631-1700)
- The conquest of Granada
- All for love
William Congreve (1670-
1729)
- The Way of the World
- Love for Love
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 35

36. 18TH CENTURY ENGLISH Drama
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 36
Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774)
Considered best comedy writer since Shakespeare

37. Romanticism Drama
Relied on emotions and feelings
Melodrama- most popular type of Romanticism where the hero
always succeeded
Playwrights made clear distinctions between good and evil
Forces of good always won
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 37

38. Realistic Drama
1820-1920
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 38
Began as reaction against Romanticism
Mid century dramatic style = Realism
◦ Seeks the truth / depicts a selected view
Presented things as in real life (often dealt with social problems)
Major author: Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)
◦ “Father of Realism”
◦ Revolutionary themes
◦ Ghosts
◦ A Doll’s House
◦ Realistically showed the day’s problems

39. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 39
England’s George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
Pygmalion
◦ Wanted to reform the world through his work
◦ Ranked with Shakespeare

40. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 40
Oscar Wilde (1856-1900)
◦The Importance of Being Earnest
◦ Comedy of Manners

41. 20th century playwrights
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 41
oArthur Miller (The Crucible and Death of a Salesman)
oEugene O’Neill
Issues range from interpersonal relationships to faith
Long Day’s Journey into Night
oTennessee Williams (The Glass Menagerie)
Lillian Hellman – most influential female playwright

42. Goethe – Germany in 1770s to early 1800s – Faust
Edmond Rostand – France – Cyrano de Bergerac
Samuel Becket – France – Waiting for Godot
Chekov – Russia – greatest Russian Dramatist
Other Drama/Dramatist

43. Theatre of the Absurd
A reaction to the disappearance of the religious dimension form
contemporary life
◦ Authors felt that life is meaningless; there is no hope of salvation – thus
their plays reflected these ideas.
An attempt to restore the importance of myth and ritual to our age, by
making man aware of the ultimate realities of his condition
◦ Not everything is scientific and can be figured out – so plays showed
illogic of life.
Shows that language is unreliable
◦ There are so many clichés in language that it doesn’t convey real
human thought
◦ Language in plays can be purposefully confusing. As in Hamlet, language means
something and sometimes nothing
SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 43

44. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 44
Its almost impossible to cover each and every writer as well as theatre in one lecture

45. SUHAIL AHMED SOLANGI 45
THANK YOU