Perspectives on Restoration Drama

Résumé du livre

This is an introduction for students to the drama which followed the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. It includes representative coverage of both the new forms in this period, and of ways in which the old forms altered, including heroic drama, comedy, tragedy, tragi-comedy and adaptations of Shakespeare. The works are situated in their theatrical, social and historical context and the study also considers the effects of censorship and of the limiting of the number of theatres by royal decree. It covers both familiar authors such as Dryden, Benn, Wycherley and Congreve, as well as less well-known playwrights like Otway and Lee and deals with issues of gender, power and sexuality relevent to the period all of which profoundly influenced the drama.