Drama as an Important Medium of Expression - Essay Example

?Heroic Drama Heroic drama is a generic variation within the context of literature, which generally deals with the influence of heroism and nationalism in the society. Besides, heroic drama is different from other type of plays because the same is with peculiar verse structure and playwrights usually make use specific subject matters. One can see that heroic drama was a popular mode of entertainment during Restoration period. Thesis statement: The historical origin of heroic drama and its relation to the mainstream society proves that the same is entirely different from other genres of drama because it mainly deals with the hero’s military craftsmanship and creates deep nationalistic feeling among the audience. Historical origin of Heroic drama As pointed out, heroic drama is interconnected with Restoration period in British history. Eugene M. Waith opined that, “Consequently, when ‘heroic play’ or ‘heroic drama’ are mentioned, we think first of the period 1660-1700” (1). During this period England was undergoing internal problems. So, exaggerated heroes and heroism presented in the heroic drama well suited the context of nationalism. One can see that the main playwrights during this period, like John Dryden supported heroic drama because it helped to spread the message of nationalism among the mass. The Comedy of Manners was another dramatic form during the Restoration period. But this dramatic form did not gain much approval from the mass because it did not suit the problems faced by the nation. The political and social condition of England during Restoration Period was most suitable for the evolution of heroic drama. For instance, Restoration period in England is generally known as the restoration of monarchy. During this period, England adopted an innovative form of political ideology related to monarchy. Earlier, during the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the context of drama faced a number of problems because most of the theatres in England were forced to close. But during the Restoration period, most of the theaters were reopened and it resulted in the growth and development of sub-genres in drama. For instance, Restoration comedy is another genre in drama which was accepted by the British audience. Still, the scope of heroic drama was evident because the British society was undergoing political and social transformation. So, the Restoration dramatists adopted innovative themes discarded by the dramatists in other ages, like Elizabethan age. The proponents of heroic drama discarded imagination and adopted exaggeration of historical/political events and heroism. To be specific, exaggeration of heroism is the core element of nationalistic feeling. So, the ultimate aim of the supporters of heroic drama was not to establish the dramatic element of plays, but to establish heroism and to nurture nationalism. Besides, heroic couplet was the metrical form adopted by the heroic drama playwrights. During this age, John Dryden made use of this metrical form to defend his positive attitude towards heroic drama. In short, the historical evolution of heroic drama proves that the same can be regarded as the end result of the ideas put forth prominent dramatists during Restoration period to exaggerate heroism and to inculcate nationalistic feeling. Definition Heroic drama can be defined as a generic variation with the context of Restoration drama, in which verse/prose form is prominent, deals with optimism and describes the heroic deeds of the protagonist who is search of adventure. The usage of heroic drama in relation to society In the British society, heroic drama acted the role of a medium to transform the society and to establish the influence of monarch over the mass. During the first half of the 17th century, British theatres were not allowed open because political turmoil was curbing the scope of entertainment. Bridget Orr stated that, “Debates over literature in England from 1660 to 1714 all bear the impression of patriotism, a sense of national rivalry which extends backwards to Greece and Rome, in the ancients-moderns disputes, or literally, in the rivalry with France” (29). But some private companies used to offer secret performances of famous plays. During the second half of the 17th century, Stuart dynasty acquired momentum and the British throne was restored by the Stuart rulers. During the reign of Charles II, the theatres were allowed to reopen. Within this context, one can easily identify the fact that the king’s decision to reopen the theatres deeply influenced and inspired the dramatists. This eventually led to the origin of heroic drama which was in favor of monarchy, heroism, and nationalism. The less influence of Puritanism in the society forced the dramatists to be royalists, and in favor of monarchy. So, the dramatists who supported monarchy began to consider heroic drama as an innovative tool to praise monarchy. Besides, heroic drama acquired certain characteristics of literature like epic poetry. At the same time, heroic drama provided ample importance to historical events and can be considered as the tribute to national heroes. Heroic drama: examples from plays As pointed out, the dramatists of heroic drama were in favor of monarchy in England. John Dryden’s plays like The Conquest of Granada and The Indian Emperour are symbolic of heroic drama. Susan J. Owen stated that, “The generic indeterminacy of heroic drama is partly due to the fact that Dryden’s sources are so wide-ranging” (11). The Conquest of Granada is symbolic of Dryden’s interest and his role in the creation of heroic drama. For instance, the play’s plot deals with a significant episode in the history of England, i.e. the conquest of Granada by Spaniards in the year 1492. At the same time, the play named as The Indian Emperour by Dryden deals with another historical event, i.e. the conquest of Aztecs by Spaniards. Both the works praise heroism and deal with historical incidents. Another play related to the origin and development of heroic drama is The Black Prince by Roger Boyle. This play deals with the heroism or adventurous life of Edward, the Black Prince. In short, the inaugural plays of heroic drama were interconnected with historical events and military heroism. Heroic drama: examples from modern plays As the timeline of the growth and development of heroic drama is within the second half of the 17th century, some other works related to heroic drama produced during the beginning of the 18th century can be regarded as modern. Some of the playwrights during this age continued their effort to create more plays related to heroic drama. Nicholas Rowe is one among the dramatists who supported heroic drama and created a number of plays related to the same. Pat Rogers opined that, “Nicholas Rowe (1674-1718) wrote in blank verse, but otherwise his habits of language are essentially those of Dryden and Otway in the previous generation” (161). The plays like The Royal Convert and The Fair Penitent by Nicholas Rowe are symbolic of modern plays related to heroic drama. Summing, drama is an important medium of expression which deeply influences the audience. Within this context, heroic drama is more important because it is interconnected with the influence of monarchy over drama in England. To be specific, the historical origin and development of heroic drama is deeply rooted in the socio-political context of England. Besides, the influence heroic drama is evident among the mass because the same dealt with military heroism and nationalism in England. Works Cited Owen, Susan J. Perspectives on Restoration Drama. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2002. Print. Orr, Bridget. Empire on the English Stage 1660-1714. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Print. Rogers, Pat. The Augustan Vision. London: Taylor & Francis, 1978. Print. Waith, Eugene M. Ideas of Greatness: Heroic Drama in England. London: Routledge, 1971. Print. Read More