Drama History Test Study Guide

Made by: Sonya Shekhar

Thespis: p. 405, 406 – first tragedian to win City of Dionysia playwriting prize, (534 B. C.) introduced leader for chorus, leader became first Greek actor, introduced use of masks, thespian (another way to say actor) comes from his name

Ming Huang: p. 410, 411 - (713-756 A. D.) Emperor of China, founded successful school for actors in garden, Chinese actors called “Children of the Pear Tree Garden”

Hrosvitha: p. 417 - 10^th century nun, wrote religious comedies performed in cathedral mansions, large audiences in 13^th & 14^th centuries caused plays to be moved outdoors to marketplaces

Moliere: p. 421 - (1622-1673) represents high point in French Renaissance drama, real name Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (changed name to prevent disgracing parents by having actor in family), toured for 12 years as actor in commedia dell’arte company, began to write comedies, died onstage of tuberculosis

Christopher Marlowe: p. 422 - (1564-1593) considered best tragedy dramatist in England (next to Shakespeare), his blank verse often termed as “Marlowe’s Mighty Line”, wrote 7 plays, died at 29

Richard Burbage: p. 426 - (1567-1619, son of man who built The Theatre in 1576), born in Stratford-upon-Avon, acted in many of Shakespeare’s tragic figures, he and his brother, Cuthbert, built The Globe Theatre in London

Henrik Ibsen: p. 98, 430 - (1828-1906) Norwegian, often called father of realism, work had keen insight to characterization, themes revolutionized theatre of his day, lots of criticism over how plays dealt with social problems of middle-class people

George Bernard Shaw: p. 431 - (1856-1950) England, introduced Ibsen to larger theatre world, wrote realistic with comic satire, attacked all cherished beliefs, considered finest English playwright since Shakespeare, hoped writings would reform world, did not blame failing to do so on himself

Eugene O’Neill: p. 435, 436 - (1888-1953) new writer taught by Professor George Pierce Baker from Harvard, became leading American dramatist in early 20^th century, brought himself and American theatre to fame, plays were realistic and expressionistic, dealt with difficult psychological truths

August Wilson: p. 149, 437 - (1945- ) enriched African-American theatre, 10^th grade drop-out then educated himself, lyrical and poetic writing, wrote scripts in 1978, received fellowship in 1980 from The Playwrights’ Center, met Lloyd Richards who directed 6 of Wilson’s plays, plays about generation of black parents hardships, plays focused on different decades of 20^th century

Role of Religion in Progress and Development of Theatre: All the plays in the beginning were based on religious themes. They slowly evolved to represent more modern ideas.

Form of Theatre Found Most Effective: (your choice)

Who is Most Interesting: (your choice)

Shakespearean Soliloquy: p. `Shakespeare’s soliloquies are very famous and loved throughout the world. Soliloquies are speeches where the actors talk alone to reveal their thoughts aloud. Shakespeare’s soliloquies were considered luminous and encompassed a great breadth of emotion and intellect.

Bunraku: p. 342, 413 - This is form of theatre originated in Japan during the 17^th century (around 1684). It is a doll theatre featuring 4-foot tall, full-body marionettes (puppets). The dolls were very detailed. They had eyelids, eyebrows, and fingers, all of which could be moved individually. The dolls were elaborately costumed. While a narrator read the dialogue and musicians played music, 3 people dressed completely in black and wearing gauze masks controlled the dolls.

Absurdism/Absurdist Dialogue: p. 434, 435 – This form of playwriting consists of completely meaningless dialogue. It began after World War II. The writers of these plays believe that life is meaningless. The characters speak and act randomly with no societal of theatrical rules.