In this respect let us look into the growth of English drama in a passing manner to assert our point. The subject of the Miracle plays of the 12th Century, were taken from the legends of the saints and acts ascribed to them, while the Mystery plays had scriptures for their subjects. Their teaching was of a religious nature. The morality plays, later, actually personified virtue, and though they were not ass true to life as were the interlude in the Revived Era of learning, yet their influence was meant to throw a heavenly light on life.
Now the public which showed an interest towards historical studies sought in its drama the treatment of actual human life and affairs. The characters in the interludes were real men and women even of English life of the day and these served some purpose. Pageants, Masques and Pantomimes were at a later age, sources of delight through drama, whatever their nature may be, they echoed those aspects of life, which were amusing and light in their own way.
A similar kinship can be traced in two great branches of drama, that is Classical and Romantic: Classical drama dealt with the great legends of a remote mythological age, say of Great of Roman Mythology. Its character was above commonplace humanity and experience. here the scope was enhanced and limited to a sort of definition of life. No attempt to mirror ordinary life, or to reproduce common human nature was ever permitted. So was the case with the Neoclassic concept of drama. The extraordinary coherence and heightened imagination brought about the Romantic drama in the Elizabethan age and the intermingling of so many lively plots, freedom in respect of time, place and action, religion reflected variety and complexity of actual life for our delight.
The various directions of drama may also be referred to in support of our contention. The events and incidents in a tragedy really hold a mirror to life, the appeal to the sense of sympathy fills the mind with pity and terror. The chief aims of tragedy are to affect the feeling and to have a profound effect on the mind The ruin of the principal character, the predominating influence of Fate, intense situation all remind us of the subtle realities of life around us.
On the other hand, the happy ending a comedy and the hero's triumph over difficulties and poetic justice teach us delightfully. Same is the case with other kinds of comedies including the tragicomedy. The historical plays can also be associated with this human kinship. On the whole drama as pointed out by Schlegel, statesman-generals holding the great event of the past similar to those in which they themselves are called upon to act, lays open their inmost springs and motives.
Here are too the philosopher finds subjects for profoundest reflection on nature and constitution of man and with curious eyes the artist follows the groups which pass rapidly before him and impresses on his fancy the outline of every future picture, and the susceptible youth opens his heart to every elevating feelings, age becomes young again in recollections, even child sits with anxious expectations before the grand curtain.
This estimate portrays the influence of drama of life. Whatever the form of drama may be the dramatic circumstances in our daily life seem appropriate to the theater and it can be remarked that the portrayal of action which is the function of drama is itself an action of life. Drama has a free scope and significance as it depends upon the force and fidelity of the images rather than upon any individual agency. This image of life as a whole has a lasting influence for every taste in the society.
[ Part 1 ] [ Part 3 ]
Now the public which showed an interest towards historical studies sought in its drama the treatment of actual human life and affairs. The characters in the interludes were real men and women even of English life of the day and these served some purpose. Pageants, Masques and Pantomimes were at a later age, sources of delight through drama, whatever their nature may be, they echoed those aspects of life, which were amusing and light in their own way.
A similar kinship can be traced in two great branches of drama, that is Classical and Romantic: Classical drama dealt with the great legends of a remote mythological age, say of Great of Roman Mythology. Its character was above commonplace humanity and experience. here the scope was enhanced and limited to a sort of definition of life. No attempt to mirror ordinary life, or to reproduce common human nature was ever permitted. So was the case with the Neoclassic concept of drama. The extraordinary coherence and heightened imagination brought about the Romantic drama in the Elizabethan age and the intermingling of so many lively plots, freedom in respect of time, place and action, religion reflected variety and complexity of actual life for our delight.
The various directions of drama may also be referred to in support of our contention. The events and incidents in a tragedy really hold a mirror to life, the appeal to the sense of sympathy fills the mind with pity and terror. The chief aims of tragedy are to affect the feeling and to have a profound effect on the mind The ruin of the principal character, the predominating influence of Fate, intense situation all remind us of the subtle realities of life around us.
On the other hand, the happy ending a comedy and the hero's triumph over difficulties and poetic justice teach us delightfully. Same is the case with other kinds of comedies including the tragicomedy. The historical plays can also be associated with this human kinship. On the whole drama as pointed out by Schlegel, statesman-generals holding the great event of the past similar to those in which they themselves are called upon to act, lays open their inmost springs and motives.
Here are too the philosopher finds subjects for profoundest reflection on nature and constitution of man and with curious eyes the artist follows the groups which pass rapidly before him and impresses on his fancy the outline of every future picture, and the susceptible youth opens his heart to every elevating feelings, age becomes young again in recollections, even child sits with anxious expectations before the grand curtain.
This estimate portrays the influence of drama of life. Whatever the form of drama may be the dramatic circumstances in our daily life seem appropriate to the theater and it can be remarked that the portrayal of action which is the function of drama is itself an action of life. Drama has a free scope and significance as it depends upon the force and fidelity of the images rather than upon any individual agency. This image of life as a whole has a lasting influence for every taste in the society.
[ Part 1 ] [ Part 3 ]
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