Drama in Victorian Age, Realism in Drama, Problem Play, Henrik Ibsen, Oscar Wilde, G. B. Shaw

 

INTRODUCTION:

During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), English poetry reached it pinnacle of success in the hands of Tennyson and Browning and English novelists like Dickens, Thackeray, Hardy and others entertained the English readers.  Poetry in the first half and novel in the second half were the two forms of literature which eclipsed drama during the 19^th century.

The dramatic arts in England underwent significant changes. The Victorian Era was a time of great social, economic, and cultural change, and this was reflected in the development of the drama of the period.

REALISM IN DRAMA:

·      One of the major changes that occurred during this time was the rise of realism in drama as happened in novel.

·      Victorian playwrights began to reject the melodramatic and unrealistic conventions of the past and instead sought to create plays that were more true to life.

·      They focused on depicting the everyday lives and struggles of ordinary people and often tackled social issues such as poverty, class, and gender roles.

·      One of the most notable playwrights of this era was Henrik Ibsen, whose plays ‘A Doll's House’ and ‘Hedda Gabler’ and ‘Ghosts’ are considered to be among the earliest examples of modern realistic drama.

RISE OF PROBLEM PLAY:

·      Another important development during the Victorian era was the rise of the "problem play."

·      These plays dealt with controversial social issues such as marriage, sexuality, and religion, and often had a moralistic or didactic intent.

·      These plays were popular during the Victorian era and were written by playwrights such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, and Arthur Wing Pinero.

CONCLUSION:

In short, we may say that though English drama remained sideways in comparison to poetry and novel during the Victorian age, still the playwrights like G. B. Shaw and Ibsen were successful in catching the mind and heart of the Victorian audience.  Realism became a prominent trend in drama, and playwrights began to depict the everyday lives and struggles of ordinary people, often tackling social issues such as poverty, class, and gender roles. The Problem plays, which dealt with controversial social issues and had a moralistic or didactic intent, were also popular during this era.

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