Questions
~2 questions
Difficulty
Medium
Importance
High yield for DSSSB/KVS English TGT/PGT exams
Overview
The study of major playwrights in drama focuses on the literary evolution of theatrical storytelling from the Elizabethan era to the modern Indian context. For teacher recruitment exams like KVS, NVS, and DSSSB, this topic is essential as it tests foundational knowledge of canonical texts and the socio-cultural shifts in dramatic writing. Success hinges on memorizing key works, identifying famous characters, and understanding the core themes of the plays.
William Shakespeare: The Elizabethan Master
Shakespeare's works represent the pinnacle of English drama, focusing on complex character psychology and the human condition. In competitive exams, you are expected to categorize his plays by genre (Tragedies, Comedies, Histories) and identify iconic quotes or central conflicts.
- Four Great Tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth
- Famous Comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night
- The Globe Theatre was the primary venue for most of his productions
- Shakespearean Sonnets follow the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
- Known for the use of iambic pentameter in his verse
Modern Indian Drama
Modern Indian drama reflects the socio-political realities of post-independence India and often blends traditional folk elements with contemporary themes. You should focus on notable playwrights like Girish Karnad, Vijay Tendulkar, and Mohan Rakesh.
- Girish Karnad: Tughlaq and Hayavadana
- Vijay Tendulkar: Ghashiram Kotwal and Sakharam Binder
- Mohan Rakesh: Ashad Ka Ek Din and Adhe Adhure
- Themes often include gender inequality, political corruption, and cultural identity
- Often incorporates elements from the Natyashastra alongside Western realistic traditions
Twentieth Century English Drama
This era shifted away from Victorian sentimentality toward realism, the Theatre of the Absurd, and social commentary. Understanding the distinction between realistic social drama and existential absurdity is crucial for multiple-choice identification.
- George Bernard Shaw: Pygmalion and Arms and the Man
- Samuel Beckett: Waiting for Godot (The quintessential Absurdist play)
- John Osborne: Look Back in Anger (Started the Angry Young Men movement)
- T.S. Eliot: Murder in the Cathedral
- Focus on the 'Theatre of the Absurd' which explores the meaninglessness of existence
Exam Tip
Prioritize memorizing the 'Big Three' for every major author: their most famous play, the specific genre of that play, and one unique stylistic innovation they introduced.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the genres of Shakespearean plays, specifically misidentifying late romances as tragedies.
- Failing to associate Indian playwrights with their primary regional or language influence.
- Overlooking the difference between chronological order of publication and the date of the first performance.
More Revision Notes
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