This document summarizes the origins and development of drama. It discusses how drama emerged from religious performances and went through religious, moral and artistic periods. It notes that drama first came from portraying saints' lives in churches. Genres like miracle plays and morality plays gained popularity in Europe in the 15th-16th centuries. The artistic period made drama more representative of human life. Classical Greek influences also shaped drama with conventions like the unities. William Shakespeare's predecessors who helped advance English drama are mentioned, including Christopher Marlowe.
1. Welcome
Presented by: Vipul H. Parmar
Course: M.A (English) sem. 1
Paper no.: 1 Renaissance literature
Topic: The origin of the Drama
Enrollment no: 2069108420200032
Roll no: 40
Email id: vipul1996p@gmail.com
Submitted to: S.B.Gardi Dept.of English
2. What is Drama?
In literature, a drama is the portrayal of fictional
or non fictional events through the performance
of written dialog (either prose or poetry). Dramas
can be performed on stage, and on film. Dramas
are typically called plays, and their creators are
known as “Playwrights or Dramatists.”
3. Periods in the Development of the Drama
1. The Religious period
2. The Moral period
3. The Artistic period
4. Classical Influence
4. Religious Period
● Drama first came out from
religion
● Especially in Greece and Europe
● This drama based on Santa's
life, and ancient time.
● This drama normally presented
in the Churches and on
Christmas time.
5. Miracle and
Mystery Play
In France the name Miracle was
given to any play representing
the lives of the Saints.
The early miracle plays of
England were divided into two
classes: the first, given at
Christmas, included the birth of
Christ; the second, at Easter,
included the plays of his death.
6. Moral Period
● Morality play, also called
morality.
● Popular in Europe
especially during the
15th and 16th century
● The characters personify
moral qualities (charity
and vice)
● And moral lessons are
taught
7. The Artistic Period
● It is the final stage in the
development of English
drama.
● The main purpose of this
drama is to represent
human life as it is.
● The first play “Ralph
Royster Doyster" written by
Nicholas.
● First acted by his School
boys before 1556.
8. Classical Influence Upon Drama
● It developed from the Miracle plays
● Present Greek or German plays at the yearly
festivals
● Seneca was the favorite Latin author, all his
tragedies were translated into English between
1559 and 1581.
● Unities of time, place and action were strictly
observed.
9. Shakespeare's
Predecessors
● They are Lyly, Peele,
Nash, Greene, Marlow
and others.
● Christopher Marlow
(1564-1593)
● Best English Playwright
● His major works: “Dr.
Faustus, The Jew of
Malta, and Tamburlaine”
