The Life and Works of Dramatist Aphra Behn Essay

Black theater is as old as the first tribes in Africa who would dance with wooden masks to represent gods or legends (Kerr, p3). The playwrights of this time were the Griots, who were known as the keepers of history in African tribes and mark the beginning of African literary tradition (Freeman.) But when does the development of black playwright actually take off?

Catherine Bush is an author and by extension, a novelist who has an outstanding record of publishing books with interesting stories and real life experiences summarized in novelty. In 1985, she published a book that reviewed and brought back the reality the past life of England's Queen, Elizabrth1.In this book, Bush gets deeper in the life of England Monarchy Lady. She explores her inner life and personality. She goes overboard to narrate the Queen's relationship with her family, her subjects, and her state duties. Queen Elizabeth is one lucky woman who rose to Queenship at

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” William Shakespeare may have written these words in As You Like It in 1600, but Erving Goffman truly defined the phrase with his dramaturgical theory. Dramaturgical analysis is the study of social interaction in terms of theatrical performance. Unlike actors though, who use a script telling them how to behave in every scene, real life human interactions change depending upon the social situation they are in. We may have an idea of how we want to be perceived, and may have the foundation to make that happen. But we cannot be sure of every interaction we will have throughout the day, having to ebb and flow with the conversations and situations as they happen.

Lorraine Hansberry was the first Black woman to pen a Broadway play. In her writings, she wrote male characters, many of whom were male protagonists. Being the feminist that she was, many people saw Hansberry’s depiction of Black men in one of two ways; either as an unhappy retreat from her feminist concerns or as a negative representation of Black manhood. Throughout her career, in works such as “The Village Voice” and “Les Blancs” Hansberry’s wrote other male characters that showed a progressive, revolutionary movement towards a positive and withstanding view of Black masculinity.

One of the first things that sticks out is the way in which she described Oroonoko physically. Behn stated that his

Suzan-Lori is an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. Innovative and occasionally controversial and she is one of the most highly acclaimed African-American woman playwrights in contemporary theater. Reading the excerpts from Suzan-Lori Parks’ essays actually helped me because her main purpose in her writings is to guide newcomers (play writers) by offering some background information and ways to help on how to appreciate plays. Such as the Element of Style essay which is intended primarily for the new generation of theater makers. One thing that I liked the most about her way to guide new playwright that she never tells you what to add or not what to add in your plays. The only thing that she really emphasizes is that a playwright should ask themselves why they feel whatever they are writing have or should be a play? According to Parks “ the words “why”, “have” and “play” are key. If you don’t have an answer then get out of town. No joke. The last thing American theater needs is another lame play.” (Pg. 7) One thing that we should always do about playwriting is not to take anything for granted.

Over the course of approximately one-hundred years there has been a discernible metamorphosis within the realm of African-American cinema. African-Americans have overcome the heavy weight of oppression in forms such as of politics, citizenship and most importantly equal human rights. One of the most evident forms that were withheld from African-Americans came in the structure of the performing arts; specifically film. The common population did not allow blacks to drink from the same water fountain let alone share the same television waves or stage. But over time the strength of the expectant black actors and actresses overwhelmed the majority force to stop blacks from appearing on film. For the longest time the performing arts were

Since the end of her teaching career Atwood has written many notable publications such as The Handmaid’s Tale, Oryx and Crake, The Blind Assassin, and several more. She has also written over 15 published poem books and many more texts such as short stories, and articles and has even written an Opera. Atwood has also done humanitarian work and was named Humanist of the Year for her works for feminism and the

Louisa May Alcott very famous author best known for her book “Little Women” was born in the 1800s, I read a fable about her called “The Frost king: or, the power of love”, when i read this fable i thought well she is a good writer, she entertains the readers with her writing but through her writing she was also trying to teach us something through her meaningful writings.

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

"Nothing will come of nothing." This quote is from Shakespeare's King Lear. “When you put nothing in, you get nothing back.” Quotes like this show how influential Shakespeare is today. Even from looking at events in his life, you can tell that he went by this quote during his life. He didn’t just become famous or rich overnight. He had to put in some work. He started out as the son of a man who dabbles in many things, and eventually after a lot of criticism, he performed in front of Queen Elizabeth the 1st and became rich enough to own the second biggest house in Stratford. His career began when he:

      "All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of AphraBehn, . .

Aphra Behn’s novel, Oroonoko, gives a very different perspective on a slave narrative. Her characters embody various characteristics not usually given to those genders and races. Imoinda’s character represents both the modern feminist, as well as the subservient and mental characteristics of the typical eighteenth-century English woman. Oroonoko becomes an embodiment of what is normally a white man’s characteristic; he is the noble, princely, and sympathetic character that is not usually attributed to black men in general throughout most novels of slavery. The complete opposite character style is given to the slavers; the English are viewed as the barbaric, cunning, brutal characters that are usually portrayed in opposite and more generous

Oroonoko is a novel by author Aphra Behn, in which Behn tried to illustrate the life of the African Prince, who was captured and made slave, Oroonoko. Behn offers criticism for the cruelest of Europeans, while still holding a bias against people of color. She ignores self-identity while focusing on the exotic other that fills the pages of her book. Though she tries to make the African character relatable, she maintains her sense of European superiority. She also portrays a somewhat accurate depiction of slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Finally she often relates religion and Christianity the lack of society and civilization or barbarianism. This work will prove the themes of otherness, European superiority, slavery and the slave trade, and religion as it relates to barbarianism.

Aphra Behn, who is the first female to achieve status of a professional playwright attempted to alter and influence the literary cannon through her writing, which was a precarious occupation but allowed literature to evolve in a wider range. Behn was also one of the wittiest and entertaining as evidenced through her most renowned play, The Rover, which is a restoration, yet dark comedy set in 17th century Italy while under the colonial reign of Spain. The large cast of characters becomes embroiled in scenes and consist a mix of themes of infidelity, seduction, misrepresentation, and elaborate swordplay, which create tension and confusion in addition to many comedic episodes. The play expresses its author's objections to the vulnerability