An Introduction to Modern Drama
Modern drama is fundamentally different from the classical drama we are accustomed to. In classical drama, the manner used to portray the action is verse. Classical drama mostly showed the tragic life of the people of higher class like Oedipus, Othello and King Lear. The classical comedy only illustrated the lives of people below the racks of normal ones. However, the modern drama focuses on the tragedy of the common people, presented through the prosaic dialogues. In modern drama, social issues and their potential solutions are highlighted. The revolution of modern drama was put in motion by Ibsen and later Bernard Shaw. It is difficult to find a true father of modern drama as the services of both the dramatists are of considerable weight. I shall put forth the contribution of both the dramatists for you to get a better idea about who is the real father of modern drama.
Contribution of Ibsen in Modern Drama
Henrik Ibsen, a Norwegian playwright, was the first to rebel against the classical doctrine of playwriting. He is considered the father of modern drama because of portraying problems of the common people through a realistic manner in a language that was easy for the laymen to understand.
Realism
As mentioned before, Ibsen rebelled against the romantic caricaturing of life in classical drama. According to him,
And the secret of modern literature lies precisely in the matter of experiences that are lived through.
After focusing on the line, "experiences that are lived through", it becomes clear that for modern literature to thrive, it has to portray the experiences of real life. Such a rule of Ibsen was a fundamental point that attracted a host of other writers and viewers because the era of industrialization and later, war, was not in favour of romantic idealization. Ibsen bravely depicted the social plight of the people of his age to question the set taboos of his society.
The Problem Plays
What Ibsen introduced to the general public is known as the problem play or the play of ideas. A problem play mostly ends tragically, giving the author's view of the social problem and its solution, not in a direct manner. At times, it offends critics and audiences alike. For instance, Hedda Gabler is a problem play as it displays the social issue of the confinement of women and their dreams which result in the suicide of Hedda. The play also displays the hypocrisy of men through the character of Brack who is not ashamed of ruining the life of a married woman.
Drama for Common People
A notable milestone that Ibsen achieved in the promotion of modern drama to common people was his use of simple and prosaic diction that was geared towards the common people. Poetic language shows passion while prose is suitable for the display of more elevated ideas. Therefore, Ibsen chose the social and psychological issues of the common people to morally instruct them of leading a peaceful and purposeful life. Ibsen was highly objective in his caricaturing of the problems. Hedda Gabler is considered to be the most objective play of Ibsen as it gives little to no hint of the problem of the women like Hedda Gabler.
Contribution of Bernard Shaw in Modern Drama
George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, essayist and social reformer, is also considered as the father of modern drama. Shaw is the one who propelled the modern ideology of Ibsen to a more wider audience with his pleasant and unpleasant plays with his usual witty expressions. Let's explore Shaw's contribution to modern drama.
Original Characterization
The dramatic personages in Shaw's plays have a distinct approach to the art of characterization which is quite different from what was shown in romantic plays. As aptly asserted by Nicoll, we find women who are brave and intellectual in Shaw's plays as compared to meak maidens in old plays; the strong men of the past have been replaced with the men of weakness and coarse villainy is transitioned into a helpful tool of the society. Thus, Shaw's characters are original and appropriate.
Imported Literary Qualities in Drama
Another notable contribution of Shaw to modern drama is his inclusion of some of the notable literary qualities. He experimented with a number of techniques to turn the modern drama into literature. Shaw is the master of dramatic stage directions. His directions are so vivid that a reading of the play helps in visualizing the action of the play through a reader's imagination. Shaw was well-aware of the popularity of novels. But he acquired the descriptive essence of the novel and added his distinctive dramatic touch to it.
Popularized Drama
The outcome of the sincere contribution of Bernard Shaw came in the form of the popularization of the modern drama. Shaw's witty characters, paired with an Ibsen-like simplicity and exposure of the taboos of the society, along with alive stage directions and preface, the drama was soon made relevant for poets and the readers of the novels alike. Shaw's contribution was followed by a host of new writers who further made plays relevant, famous and appealing to the general masses.
Conclusion
It is difficult to decide who is the true father of Modern Drama based on contribution. But I cast my vote for Ibsen because Shaw expanded the vision of Ibsen. Therefore, Ibsen is the father of modern drama.
Sources and Suggested Readings
- Hedda Gabler Study Guide by NKM - Page 32
- Arms and The Man Critical Studies by Famous Products - Page 19
