CHANGES IN RESTORATION DRAMA (GROUP 7)

CHANGES IN RESTORATION DRAMA

The age of restoration is popularly known as the age of Dryden and the age before it was known as the age of Shakespeare.

There is a considerable difference that took place when drama was restored. At first came the heroic drama, popularized by Dryden. He wrote about the heroic deeds of men who fought against injustice. In one sense these writings were a reflection of an ideal king like Charles. It focused on actions of men and their qualities that made them a natural leader.

The Restoration age saw the reinterpretation of olden plays, mostly Shakespearean. The plays of the Elizabethan age were turned into semi-operas – singing and dancing. Performances were revised and altered so as to appeal to the larger audience. Women entered and were allowed to participate unlike in the olden times.

One important change noticed in the restoration age is the improvement in technology- structurally and visually. The design and architecture of the stage gave way to a flourishing age. There was a more elaborate set design. It was by far the most elaborate theatre England had seen.

While Elizabethan era plays tended to blend tragedy and comedy, restoration writers kept the two apart.  In fact, the drama of the period can be divided into two- tragedies and comedies. While tragedies covered heroic drama, comedies would mock the upper-class and use vulgar language

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~ Written by Sakshi Aggarwal (1313284); Edited by Srishti Banerjee (1313287)

Group 7