History of English Drama

 

History of Drama

Introduction

Drama is one of the oldest forms of literature. The word drama comes from the Greek word dran, which means “to do” or “to act.” Drama is a literary form written to be performed by actors on a stage before an audience. It includes dialogue, characters, action, conflict, and emotions.

The history of drama can be divided into several important periods, from ancient Greek theatre to modern drama.

1. Ancient Greek Drama (c. 600–300 BCE)

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Drama developed significantly in ancient Greece. It was closely connected with religious festivals held in honour of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility.

The two major forms of Greek drama were:

Tragedy: A serious play that often presents suffering, conflict, and the downfall of a central character.

Comedy: A humorous play that often makes fun of human behaviour and society.

Important Greek dramatists included:

Aeschylus — Agamemnon

Sophocles — Oedipus Rex

Euripides — Medea

Aristophanes — Lysistrata

Greek drama introduced important ideas about plot, character, conflict, and theatrical performance.

2. Roman Drama (c. 300 BCE–500 CE)

The Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano) at Merida

The Romans adopted many theatrical traditions from the Greeks. Roman drama included comedy, tragedy, mime, and public entertainment.

Important Roman dramatists were:

Plautus — famous for his comedies.

Terence — known for his character-based comedies.

Seneca — known for his tragedies.

Roman theatre influenced later European drama through its acting traditions, stage practices, and dramatic texts.

3. Medieval Drama (c. 500–1500 CE)

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During the Middle Ages, drama in Europe was strongly influenced by Christianity. Many plays were performed in churches and later in public places.

The main types were:

Mystery plays: Presented stories from the Bible.

Miracle plays: Depicted the lives and miracles of saints.

Morality plays: Taught lessons about good and evil through symbolic characters.

An important example is Everyman, a morality play about human life, death, and responsibility.

4. Renaissance Drama (c. 1500–1660)

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The Renaissance brought renewed interest in classical literature, human nature, and artistic expression. English drama developed rapidly during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and the early Stuart period.

The most famous dramatist of this period was William Shakespeare (1564–1616).

His major plays include:

Hamlet

Macbeth

Othello

King Lear

Romeo and Juliet

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Other important dramatists included Christopher Marlowe, known for Doctor Faustus, and Ben Jonson, known for Volpone.

Renaissance drama explored love, ambition, jealousy, power, revenge, and human nature.

5. Restoration Drama (1660–1700)

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In 1660, the English monarchy was restored under Charles II, and theatres reopened after being closed by the Puritan authorities in 1642.

Restoration drama became known for witty dialogue, social satire, and comedy of manners. Women were also allowed to perform professionally on the English stage.

Important dramatists included:

William Congreve — The Way of the World

John Dryden — All for Love

Aphra Behn — The Rover

These plays often explored fashionable society, marriage, love, and social hypocrisy.

6. Eighteenth-Century Drama (1700–1800)

During the eighteenth century, drama increasingly reflected middle-class life, morality, and social values. Sentimental comedy became popular, while satirical plays criticised social behaviour and political institutions.

Important dramatists included:

Richard Brinsley Sheridan — The School for Scandal

Oliver Goldsmith — She Stoops to Conquer

John Gay — The Beggar's Opera

The period helped establish new forms of comedy and social criticism.

7. Romantic Drama (Late 18th–Mid-19th Century)

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Romantic drama emphasised imagination, emotion, individual freedom, and extraordinary characters. Writers often challenged the strict rules of classical drama.

Important dramatists included:

Lord Byron — Manfred

Percy Bysshe Shelley — Prometheus Unbound

Victor Hugo — Hernani (French drama)

Although Romantic drama was influential in literature, many Romantic plays were more often read than performed on stage.

8. Realistic and Modern Drama (Late 19th Century)

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In the late nineteenth century, dramatists began presenting everyday life and social problems more realistically. They addressed marriage, gender inequality, class differences, morality, and social conventions.

Important playwrights included:

Henrik Ibsen — A Doll's House

Anton Chekhov — The Cherry Orchard

George Bernard Shaw — Pygmalion

Oscar Wilde — The Importance of Being Earnest

Realistic drama changed theatre by focusing on believable characters, ordinary settings, and important social questions.

9. Twentieth-Century Drama

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Twentieth-century drama experimented with new themes, styles, and performance techniques. It reflected war, political conflict, alienation, identity, and the difficulties of modern life.

Major movements included:

Expressionism: Presented inner emotions and distorted experiences.

Theatre of the Absurd: Explored the apparent meaninglessness and uncertainty of human existence.

Epic theatre: Encouraged audiences to think critically about society and politics.

Kitchen-sink realism: Presented ordinary working-class life and social problems.

Important playwrights included:

Samuel Beckett — Waiting for Godot

Arthur Miller — Death of a Salesman

Bertolt Brecht — Mother Courage and Her Children

Tennessee Williams — A Streetcar Named Desire

10. Indian Drama: A Brief History

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Indian drama has a long history. The Natyashastra, traditionally attributed to Bharata Muni, is an important ancient Sanskrit treatise on theatre, dance, and music.

Important Sanskrit dramatists include:

Kalidasa — Abhijnanashakuntalam

Bhasa — Swapnavasavadattam

Shudraka — Mrichchhakatika

Indian theatre also developed through regional and folk traditions such as Yakshagana, Jatra, Tamasha, and Bhavai.

In modern Indian drama, important playwrights include:

Vijay Tendulkar — Ghashiram Kotwal

Girish Karnad — Tughlaq

Mohan Rakesh — Adhe Adhure

Rabindranath Tagore — The Post Office

Modern Indian drama explores social inequality, identity, tradition, political power, and changing cultural values.

11. Contemporary Drama (Late 20th Century–Present)

Contemporary drama uses a wide range of styles, including realism, experimental theatre, multimedia, and interactive performance. Modern playwrights explore identity, migration, race, gender, technology, environmental issues, and political conflict.

Plays may be performed in traditional theatres, schools, community spaces, and outdoor venues. Film, television, and digital platforms have also expanded the ways dramatic stories reach audiences.

Timeline of the History of Drama

Period

Main features

Ancient Greek

Tragedy and comedy

Roman

Comedy, tragedy, and public entertainment

Medieval

Religious and morality plays

Renaissance

Shakespearean and Elizabethan drama

Restoration

Comedy of manners and satire

Eighteenth century

Sentimental comedy and social criticism

Romantic period

Imagination, emotion, and freedom

Late nineteenth century

Realism and social problems

Twentieth century

Absurdism, epic theatre, and experimentation

Contemporary period

Diverse themes and new technologies

Conclusion

The history of drama shows how theatre has changed alongside society. It began with ancient religious and cultural performances

 and developed into a diverse literary and performing art. From Greek tragedies and Shakespearean plays to modern experimental theatre, drama continues to entertain audiences, express human emotions, question social values, and communicate important ideas.