PREP SOLUTIONS - MODULE 1 Paper II - DRAMA (UGC UNIT-1 Material)
Module One - Drama
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| Theatrical Mask |
· · Evolution of Drama (6000 BCE-2000 BCE)
· · Roman Drama (100 BCE-300 BCE)
Evolution of Drama (6000 BCE-2000 BCE)
Evolution
and its history mark civilization in three stages.
* Paleolithic (Ancient)
* Mesolithic (Middle)
* Neolithic (Modern)
Palaeolithic age marks the development of the human community in terms
of hunting by manmade stone weapons. This stage also witnesses the development
of language.
Mesolithic age introduced the usage of dog for hunting and
protection.
Neolithic age grandly promoted the development of agriculture for
survival. Trade also the landmark of this stage.
At the end of this stage, people started creating earth-pits for preserving their
animals and weapons. This is the exact reference of the Egyptian Pyramids which
are year-old ancient preserving station of respectable Lords and Pharaohs of
their times. The ultimate of this classification of Stone Age helps you to
witness the essence of drama in terms of textual evidences available in the
Egyptian Pyramid. The age-old glory of this textual evidence explaining the dramatic narration of the Kings and Lords of the earliest Egypt.
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| Aristotle's POETICS "Greek Drama reference" |
When
it comes to the origin and development of Drama, it is completely clueless to
precise the idea of evolution. As a textual piece of evidence available in
Egyptian Pyramids which is of 2500 BC years old primitive. But the absolute
performing art of Drama is getting the influence from the Greek Origin. The term “Drama” is etymologizing
from the Greek word “dran” which means “to act” or “to perform”.
In this regard, it is the Aristotle who represents the origin and the absolute form of Drama from the Greek Origin by simply stressing the term "Dithyrambic" in his "Poetics" which means the ancient Greek Folk song and dance performing at the prayers of Greek God "Dionysus". The young wine and fertility god of Greek that is Dionysus is characterized as the matter of prayers by getting the honours from Greek people. This genre was celebrated by Greek in terms of purely ritualistic and spiritual purpose.
The Greek Drama:
The theatrical drama that is Greek Drama flourished in between the period of 500 BC to 300 BC.
The reason behind its fame is the fundamental form of the present contemporary
Drama. The Structure of Greek Theatre was wider in size, usually carried 17,000
to 18,000 audiences all around the stage.
Features
of Greek Drama: (Ancient Drama)
· * Initially, there
were no actors on the stage. The earlier drama had Chorus part which was a
group of men and women who were narrating the play vocally. Situational substitute for the musical instrument was also the part played with the chorus.
· * The developed part of the drama introduced 3 actors on the stage and with the chorus part.
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| Structure of Greek Theatre |
1. Skene – Background of the Stage
2. Proskenion – Ground-level Front Wall
3. Altar – Undecorated space for dance & act props
4. Chorus – A group lead the drama by commentary & singing
5. Orchestra – Circular space for Dance, Song, Act &
Interaction
6. Parado – Two Gateways of entry
7. Theatron/ Koilon – Space for audience
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| Theatre of Dionysus |
Further, the next level developmental process of drama preceded the glory of Greek drama. The invasion of the Roman Empire governed the status of theatres and performing artists. As per nature, Romans were highly catholic in customs prohibited the establishment of theatres. Due to which theatres were banned for a certain period until the 10th Century.
Later John Wycliff one of the earliest translators of the Holy text Bible who translated both Old and New Testament in laymen's language so-called English in 1382. However, it was the times where Greek and Latin become so authoritative and fanciful language. Being accessed the barbarian language "English" was highly outdated. Wycliff a typical revolutionary who translated for the betterment of English man's Bible usage.
The common weapon was highly used by the church authorities in order to maintain superiority over laymen were sheer threatening. They threatened people in terms of spiritual fear that people those who read the English Bible were moved to hell just by disrespecting the honours of popes and clergies.
Heavy taxes were imposed on the laymen which
affected the usual lifestyle of people. Aggravated more by the actions of
clergies, the frustrated laymen and peasants started proclaiming a revolt known
as "Peasant's Revolt of 1381".
Roman Classical Drama: (Roman Plays)
Just after the expansion of Roman Empire into several parts of Greek terrorises between 270 - 240 BC. This is the exact date where Rome encountered Greek and the genre so-called Drama. The first important works of Roman literature were the tragedies and comedies.
Famous Roman Dramatists are,
* Andronicus
* Plautus (Comedy)
* Terence (Comedy)
Medieval Drama
Liturgical Drama: 10th & 11th Century
Liturgical Drama was the traditional genre used in England. This genre was an upbringing of Anglo-Norman age of literature. This age witnessed the direct influence of French interference both in literature language and societal language. The location of these dramas took place in Churches and Monastries. The theme consists of the plot or scene extracted from the scriptures of the Bible.
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| Drama at the front yard of the Church |
Features:
* Liturgical Drama was written and played only by clergies in the Latin Language.
* Staged in front of the huge mass at Churches and Monastries.
* Biblical themes were injected into the minds and souls of people by visual and oral representation.
* Used as a medium for purely religious didactic (Teaching) purposes.
This medieval development of drama later distinguished itself as three different parts;
1. Mystery Plays 12th Century
2. Miracle Plays 13th Century
3. Morality Plays 15th & 16th Century
Consideration of these plays:
In England, Mystery plays are for the life of
Saints and Miracle plays, the life of Jesus Christ were never be considered as
different both were simply mentioned by "Miracle Plays". But in
France, these differences named out differently as Mystery and Miracle plays.
Morality Plays:
These plays concentrated to give the essence of morals at the end of the play to the audience. This theatrical genre subjected the protagonist by figuring himself to choose the complications between the good and evil. Theme finalized according to the choice made by the protagonist. So both good and evil things and its impact projected accordingly by the protagonist. This genre celebrated in the 15th and 16th century all around Europe.
Interludes:
Basic distinguishable features of Drama:
Types:
Tragedy:
Comedy:
Melodrama:
Tragic-comedy:
Farce:
Opera:
Flash quiz questions:
Ans:
The two Greek Muses of Greek Mythology, Thalia and Melpomene.
Ans:
1382
Ans:
Four cycles
1. Chester Cycle - 25 plays
2. Covertly / Lincoln Cycle - 42 plays
3. Townley Cycle (Wakefield Plays) - 32 plays
4. York Cycle - 51 plays
Ans:
Pardoner
Palmer
Pedler
Potycary
Ans:
Theatre of Dionysus, located in Athens
Ans: 1381
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