The Changing Relationship Between Individual and Society in Modern Drama

When people think of theatre they usually think of acting, directing, and maybe script writers. They would correct, all of those disciplines are part of theatre but there's more to theatre than just that; however, due to personal interests those specific disciplines will be exactly what this essay is about. What most people don't think of when they think of theatre is how much thought is put into it. The different type of methods, not just for acting but, for directing, and script writing as well. Everyone has a different method of running a show but this paper will discuss some of the legendary people that have influenced theatre the most.

No society remains immobile, even if some human beings resist changes. The advances in technology and the emergence of new beliefs allow people to have a broader imagination. Thus, numerous new interpretations of ancient works, whether they are plays, folktales, or poems, permeate around the world. These renditions re-tell the original stories in contexts that adjust to modern world. What was regarded serious in the past becomes mockery nowadays. William Shakespeare, one of the greatest English play writers, has a profound influence upon different societies globally since the fifteenth century, for his plays inspire many contemporary artists to present new scopes reflecting their societies. Considered as one of Shakespeare’s greatest

According to the Odyssey, and Agamemnon, ancient Greeks value violence as a way of maintaining their society because the stories showcase how violence functions in ancient Greece polis system. The stories indicate the structure of ancient Greece society and the ideal principles that held the people together. Because works of Homer and works of Aeschylus represent a different period of ancient Greek culture, the form of society differs. However, the fundamental principles of ancient Greek society remain similar. Regardless of what period of ancient Greece, the admiration of violence by the ancient Greek can be seen from both Homer and Greek Tragedy.

Ibsen hopes to show women that they could have lives outside of marriage and he questions the duty of women in this time period. The affect this would have on the audience is that it would shock and modernize their thoughts surrounding the subject of gender equality.

We then talked about the essence of how this grand type of story could be effectively performed in a small wooden theater. We talked about the bond between the author, actors, and audience that exists in the theater. We also talked about the text of the prologue in which the chorus simply asks the audience to use their imaginations by requesting that they suspend disbelief. In this the Chorus essentially pleads with the audience to view the representations presented to them as what they are intended more than what they are. For this to be effective the triple bond comes into play, the writing, acting and audience participation are all required to properly appreciate the story as it was intended.

They started them off easy with Shakespearian sonnets, but by Middle School, the students tackled his lighter material, the comedies. But, by ninth grade, it became time for these young minds to tackle the histories and, most importantly, the tragedies. In fact, their senior year centered on a research paper, while citing MacBeth, King Lear, Hamlet, and Othello, they were to craft their own definition of tragedy for Mr. Naething’s English class. Lawrence Levine’s chapter “William Shakespeare in America” addresses why this private school focused not only its curriculum on Shakespeare but centered it’s advertising literature to prospective parents about that fact. He argues the performance of William Shakespeare’s works, whether rote or adapted, did not belong to any one cultural group or classification in the early to middle nineteenth century. Additionally, no one claimed cultural authority over its presentation, as Shakespearian works were presented equally amongst other entertainment of all varieties. It was neither fine art nor was it middle of the road entertainment, it belonged to the cultural commons. Levine observes, “But it was a Shakespeare presented as part of the culture they enjoyed, a Shakespeare rendered familiar and intimate by virtue of his context.” So, how and why did the works of William

2. I have a retail job, which requires me to put on a performance for the audience also known as the customers. Goffman states that life is like a theater, which has different regions in which we must act in order for our performance to be deemed as successful by the audience (Goffman, 1959). A performance is defined as the act that one puts on for the audience, which has some influence on the actor (Goffman, 1959). Regarding my retail job I must put on an act of helpfulness and caring in the product that I am selling, I must change my approach according to each person. If I approach a customer and ask if they need assistance and they state they do not, then I must respect their decision. On the other hand if I have a person that need my assistance I must make myself available to this customer; therefor my attentiveness changes depending on costumers and their needs. For my performance to be successful my colleges and I must work together as a team (Goffman, 1959). Team is situation that we define as a group through a social situation (Goffman, 1959). At my retail job we must work together as a team to help one another. As a team we must all act as helpful and caring sale associates if we do not the performance is seen as insincere (Goffman, 1959). We must help one other to keep the performance (Goffman, 1959). Since in our store there are different sections, sales floor, fitting rooms, and cash, no one person can do all three especially

“Theatre makes us think about power and the way our society works and it does this with a clear purpose, to make a change.”

Our choice to tell stories should exist in the same moment that we identify an audience who needs to hear that story – now, in this context, in this time, and in this medium. The best relationship with an audience begins dramaturgically, at the beginning of a rehearsal process. We must ask: How can we keep our minds open to the audience we have and also to the audience we want and the audience with whom we hope to collaborate? How do we enter a community and work with new people, learn from them and hope they learn from us? Partner with our similar goals and share resources. Work with them and never for them. Theatre isn’t a service—it’s a

In the genre of theatre, there are multiple plays and playwrights that touch on controversial topics found throughout society. These playwrights utilize their own personal styles and theatrical elements to convey a certain message or theme to their audience.

Throughout theatre history performances have changed to become more than the mere spectacles for audience to go and mindlessly observe, there have been many different factors effecting this change either through environmental, political or economic circumstances which has resulted in theatre becoming more meaningful whilst providing a wide range of genres. However in this essay I will be discussing the importance of feminism in modern theatre through the beginning and height of modernism, and how waves of feminism have influenced theatre today.

“In roughly built playhouses and cobblestone inn yards, an extraordinary development took place in England in the 1500s.” (Yancey, 8). At that time, an opportunity combined to produce literature achievement never before witnessed in the history of drama and theater. The renaissance, helped spark this movement by inspiring scientific and artistic creativity throughout the land. Models began writing dramas that portrayed life in both realistic and imaginative ways. This created work later captured the attention of the world that changed the English drama. The many aspects of Elizabethan theater helped to shape the acting and theater world forever.

In our lives, we are surrounded by moments of tragedy that drives our will to keep moving forward. Our daily lifestyles are no different from the famous stories that playwrights have written throughout history. Playwrights are masters at combining theatre elements of tragedy, religion, violence, and numerous relative elements that the audience embrace faithfully. Today, Greek and Roman influence is the main topic since they have inspired the famous plays Desire under the Elms and The Glass Menagerie.

     There have been many dramatic plays over the centuries. Many of these plays have died in their time, while others have lived on. What makes these plays endure time and continue to be influential over time? Perhaps it is the storyline or the interesting nature of the play is what makes these dramas last. I think that it is the focus on human nature and its essential truths that keep these plays alive. Most of the plays, still enacted in theaters today, deal with social issues that people can learn from and relate to.

This essay focuses on Ibsen’s way of representing women, it explains why does he represent them in that specific particular way and how the time, era and context he lived in affected this aim.