History of Theater

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the differences in philosophy and style of theater in 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. It looks at how the changes in economics, society, and ruling powers impacted the way playwrights expressed themselves and, in turn, brought these ideas to the stage. It concludes that theater became popularized by the end of the 18th century.

From the Paper:

"This quote from the Jacobean era tragedy of Shakespeare perfectly sums up the characterization of the drama that was to follow the Shakespearean era of theater in 17th century England and France as well. During the courtly years of theater of the Restoration period in England, and in France, drama was "caviar for the general," not for the common people. From the raucous Elizabethan style theater in the open, the shift in theatrical content was no longer designed to "please the million" and this did not change until the rise of the middle class in the 18th century. The audiences then again shifted, from the 17th century courtly audience that giggled with the satire and intellectual in-jokes of the actors to the broader, more inclusive audiences that witnessed dramas with more common and expansive themes."

More papers on History of Theater:

• Term Paper # 118519 : "The History of the Theater Guild"
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• Analytical Essay # 9052 : "The History of the Theater"

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