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A Short History of the Drama
Hardcover
Literary CriticismTheater HistoryPlays
ISBN13: 9781025984704
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 512
Weight: 1.96
Height: 1.13 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
A Short History of the Drama offers a comprehensive and accessible overview of the evolution of theatrical arts from their primitive origins to the early 20th century. Martha Fletcher Bellinger meticulously traces the development of the stage, examining the cultural and social forces that shaped dramatic expression across different eras and civilizations.
The work begins with the ritualistic beginnings of performance and the monumental contributions of Ancient Greek and Roman playwrights. It continues through the religious dramas of the Middle Ages, the creative explosion of the Renaissance-highlighting the golden ages of English, Spanish, and French theater-and the subsequent shifts toward realism and modernism. Bellinger provides insightful analysis of key movements, influential dramatists, and the changing physical structure of the theater itself.
Designed for both students and general readers, this classic survey serves as an essential guide to understanding the literary and performative traditions of the West. By exploring the connection between the written word and the living stage, A Short History of the Drama remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in the enduring power of storytelling and the history of the performing arts.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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