The document discusses realism in theatre through its emergence in the late 19th century as a movement away from sentimental comedies and melodramas of the 1700s. It portrays life on stage through the use of symbolism, character development, settings, and storylines. Plays like Ibsen's A Doll's House and Chekhov's The Three Sisters exemplified realism, promoting greater audience involvement and raising awareness of social issues. Realism provided a medium for playwrights to express views about societal values and morals.