Realism
In the 1800's the definition of 'ideal life' came into question. The industrial revolutions lead to an enormous amount of poverty and crime. Auguste Comte's philosophy of positivism became known it was about studying the betterment of human and sociality that is the highest form of science. Charles Darwin reinforced this with his 'Origin of the species,' stating all forms of life developed gradually from a common force of ancestry and evolution. Evolution explained by survival of the fittest. Realism, originating in France, came into play to depict reality and the happenings proved by one of the five scenes. Theatre started to take its course. Playwrights were challenged to wright portraying life and as they truthfully observed it. They wrote about contempory society and using theatre as a mirror to society. Playwrights had to develop structure. They went back to a dramatic structure, perfected by Eugene Scribe, called 'the well-made play'. This formula had a clear exposition of situation, careful preparation for future events,
'The Cherry Orchard' and 'The Three Sisters'. The strength of Naturalism was the accuracy in character work. All of them dealing with terrible and very direct aspects of life, like syphilis and mental illnesses. In Russia, Anton Chekov, wrote plays relating to Russian surroundings including unhappiness, peasantry, aristocracy and suppression. He made theatre an education and allowed audience members to interoperate what it meant in their lives. Accuracy now had new meaning for actors and writers. He wanted plays to display solving human problems and better living conditions through education as in 'Caesar and Cleopatra'. In France the most important realist was Alexandre Du Mos, who wrote and dramatised 'Ladies of the Camellias' and later wrote even more realistic plays. There were no restrictions incorporating symbolism. The writer should never be subjective, he should observe, record, experiment with aim to demonstrate truth but with the artist staying detached. He used comedy to drive home serious points. In his works he begins with what the world excepts and then demolishes it. Like in 'Arms in the man' where he punctures bloated ideals about love and war. It was based on the idea of reliving an experience instead of acting it.
Common topics in this essay:
Hendrik Ibsen,
Charles Darwin,
Shaw Ibsen,
Greek Influence,
Emile Zola,
Konstantin Stanislavsky,
Eugene Scribe,
Sigmund Frued,
Anton Chekov,
Realism Frued's,
realism started,
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