THA206 — History of Drama and Theatre: The Modern Period: Lecture Note

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This is the complete lecture note for THA206 History of Drama and Theatre: The Modern Period. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.

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THA LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS

THA LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: THA 206 Course title: History of Drama and Theatre: The Modern Period Course credit load: 2 Units List of Series: • Series 1: Historical Evolution of Modern Drama and Theatre • Series 2: Modernism, Politics, and Ideological Imperatives in Theatre • Series 3: Movements and Development Issues in Modern Theatre • Series 4: Forms, Themes, and Styles of Modern Drama • Series 5: Technology, Media, and the Advantages of Modern Theatre Series 1: Historical Evolution of Modern Drama and Theatre Series Outline • Part 1 (1.1): Foundations of Modern Drama o Sub-Part 1.1.1: Transition from Classical to Modern Traditions o Sub-Part 1.1.2: Social and Cultural Contexts of Modern Drama • Part 2 (1.2): Key Movements in Modern Theatre o Sub-Part 1.2.1: Realism and Naturalism o Sub-Part 1.2.2: Symbolism and Expressionism • Part 3 (1.3): Influential Playwrights and Practitioners o Sub-Part 1.3.1: Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov o Sub-Part 1.3.2: Bertolt Brecht and the Epic Theatre • Part 4 (1.4): Global Spread and Adaptations of Modern Drama o Sub-Part 1.4.1: Modern Drama in Europe and America

THA LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS o Sub-Part 1.4.2: Modern Drama in Africa and Asia Introduction Modern drama and theatre emerged as a powerful response to the social, political, and cultural transformations of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Unlike earlier traditions that often emphasised classical ideals or romantic escapism, modern drama sought to confront real issues, challenge conventions, and reflect the complexities of human existence. This Series will help you trace how theatre evolved into a modern art form and why it remains central to cultural expression today. The aim of this Series is to provide you with a clear understanding of the historical development of modern drama and theatre, equipping you with the ability to analyse its foundations, movements, and global impact. We shall commence this Series by examining the foundations of modern drama, focusing on the transition from classical traditions and the social contexts that shaped new directions. Next, we will explore major movements such as realism, naturalism, symbolism, and expressionism. Following that, we will study influential playwrights and practitioners, including Ibsen, Chekhov, and Brecht, whose works transformed theatre practice. Finally, we will conclude by considering how modern drama spread across Europe, America, Africa, and Asia, adapting to diverse cultural contexts and audiences. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the foundations of modern drama and explain the transition from classical traditions, • SLO 1.2 analyse the social and cultural contexts that influenced the rise of modern theatre,

THA LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS • SLO 1.3 describe the major movements in modern theatre, including realism, naturalism, symbolism, and expressionism, • SLO 1.4 evaluate the contributions of key playwrights and practitioners such as Ibsen, Chekhov, and Brecht, • SLO 1.5 examine how modern drama spread globally and adapted to different cultural contexts. 1.1 Foundations of Modern Drama 1.1.1 Transition from classical to modern traditions The modern drama refers to theatrical works that emerged from the late nineteenth century onwards, marked by a deliberate break from classical and romantic traditions. Earlier drama often relied on idealised heroes, poetic language, and mythical themes, whereas modern drama sought to depict ordinary life and pressing social issues. This shift was influenced by industrialisation, scientific discoveries, and changing social structures. The classical tradition emphasised harmony, order, and adherence to established rules of drama. In contrast, the modern tradition introduced experimentation, realism, and a focus on psychological depth. Playwrights began to challenge conventions and reflect the complexities of human existence, making theatre more relatable to everyday audiences. Fill in the blank: Modern drama differs from classical drama because it focuses on __________ rather than idealised heroes.

THA LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Timeline diagram showing the transition from classical to modern drama. Figure 1.1: Transition from classical to modern drama 1.1.2 Social and cultural contexts of modern drama The rise of modern drama was deeply connected to the social context, including urbanisation, industrialisation, and the growth of the middle class. Theatre became a space where issues such as poverty, gender roles, and political oppression could be explored. The cultural context also shaped modern drama. Advances in science, particularly Darwin’s theory of evolution, influenced playwrights to portray characters as products of their environment. Philosophical ideas such as Marxism and existentialism introduced themes of struggle, alienation, and social critique. Modern drama therefore became a mirror of society, reflecting both challenges and aspirations. Playwrights like Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov pioneered this approach, presenting characters who grappled with everyday dilemmas rather than mythical destinies.

THA LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Fill in the blank: Darwin’s theory of __________ influenced playwrights to depict characters as products of their environment. Image of a nineteenth-century theatre audience. Plate 1.1: Audiences in nineteenth-century theatre Pilot questions 1.1 1. What is the main difference between classical and modern drama? 2. Which scientific theory influenced modern playwrights to portray characters as products of their environment? 3. Who is considered a pioneer of modern drama? 4. Which social factor contributed significantly to the rise of modern drama? 5. Modern drama is often described as a mirror of __________.

THA LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.2 Key Movements in Modern Theatre 1.2.1 Realism and naturalism Realism is a style of drama that aims to depict everyday life with accuracy and authenticity. It rejects exaggerated plots and characters, instead presenting ordinary people in familiar settings. The goal of realism is to make the audience feel as though they are observing real life on stage. Naturalism, closely related to realism, goes further by emphasising the influence of environment and heredity on human behaviour. It portrays characters as products of social and biological forces, often highlighting struggles such as poverty, addiction, or family conflict. Naturalist plays are typically stark and uncompromising, showing life as it is rather than how it ought to be. Fill in the blank: Naturalism portrays characters as products of __________ and heredity. Feature Realism (The Social Mirror) Naturalism (The Scientific Microscope) Core Focus Everyday life and relatable social issues. The crushing weight of environment and heredity. Character Goal Characters have some "agency" (choices) to resolve their conflicts. Characters are "human beasts" driven by instincts they cannot control. Plot Structure Logical and "well-made"; usually has a clear beginning, middle, and end. "Slice of life"; often lacks a tidy resolution, mimicking the randomness of reality.

THA LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Feature Realism (The Social Mirror) Naturalism (The Scientific Microscope) Stage Design High detail (the "box set"), but designed to serve the drama. Extreme detail; real food, real smells, and "dirt and grime" to show the environment's power. Key Philosopher Auguste Comte (Sociology) Charles Darwin (Evolution) & Émile Zola Diagram comparing realism and naturalism. Figure 1.2: Comparison of realism and naturalism 1.2.2 Symbolism and expressionism Symbolism emerged as a reaction against realism, focusing on the use of symbols, metaphors, and abstract ideas to convey meaning. Symbolist plays often explore themes of spirituality, dreams, and inner emotions rather than external reality. Expressionism developed in the early twentieth century, characterised by distorted settings, exaggerated gestures, and heightened language. It sought to express the inner turmoil of characters and critique social injustices. Expressionist theatre often presented the world as seen through the subjective lens of the protagonist, rather than objective reality. Fill in the blank: Expressionism is characterised by distorted __________ and exaggerated gestures.

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