1. The main features of Middle Age drama include:
- Religious themes: Middle Age drama was heavily influenced by the Church and often focused on biblical stories and moral lessons.
- Morality plays: These plays aimed to teach moral lessons and often depicted the struggle between good and evil.
- Allegorical characters: Characters in Middle Age drama often represented abstract concepts or virtues, such as Faith, Hope, or Death.
- Pageantry and spectacle: Middle Age drama was known for its elaborate costumes, sets, and special effects, which were used to create a visually stunning experience for the audience.
- Lack of realism: Middle Age drama did not strive for realism in its portrayal of characters or settings, instead focusing on symbolic representations.
2. The basic focuses of 20th-century drama include:
- Realism: 20th-century drama aimed to depict life as it is, often focusing on everyday situations and ordinary people.
- Psychological depth: Many 20th-century plays explored the inner thoughts and emotions of characters, delving into their psychological complexities.
- Social and political commentary: 20th-century drama often addressed social issues and critiqued the political climate of the time.
- Experimentation with form: Playwrights in the 20th century pushed the boundaries of traditional theatrical conventions, experimenting with non-linear narratives, fragmented structures, and other innovative techniques.
- Individualism and existentialism: Many 20th-century plays explored themes of individual identity, existential angst, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
3. Playwrights shift their concern with time for various reasons, including:
- Reflecting societal changes: Playwrights often shift their focus to reflect the changing values, beliefs, and concerns of the society they live in. As society evolves, so do the themes and topics explored in drama.
- Pushing artistic boundaries: Playwrights may shift their concern with time to challenge traditional theatrical conventions and experiment with new forms and styles. This allows them to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or innovative in the world of theater.
- Addressing contemporary issues: Playwrights may shift their focus to address pressing contemporary issues, such as social injustices, political conflicts, or technological advancements. By doing so, they can engage audiences and spark conversations about these topics.
- Personal growth and exploration: Playwrights may shift their concern with time as they grow and evolve as artists. They may feel the need to explore new themes, experiment with different genres, or delve into different periods of history to expand their artistic horizons.