A RT O F T H E

Neoclassical
Theatre

R H E A LY N M A N A L O TO
JOSHUA COSTILLAS 9 B I S M UT H
 01
INTRODUCTION
02
CONTENTS

03
CONCLUSIONS
04
REFERENCE/S
Introduction
Neo c l a s s i ci s m was t h e d o m i n a n t f o r m o f t h e at r e i n t h e ei g h t ee n t h
c en t u r y. I t d em an d ed d eco r u m a n d r i g o r o u s a d h e r e n c e t o t h e
c l as s i c a l u n it i es .

Cl a s s i c i s m i s a p h i l o so p h y o f ar t an d l i f e t h a t e m p h a s i z e s o r d e r,
b a l a n c e an d si m p l i ci t y. An ci e n t Gr e ek s we r e t h e f i r s t g r e a t
c l as s i c i st s - l at er, t h e Ro man s , F r e n ch , En g l i s h a n d o t h e r s p r o d u c e d
c l as s i c a l m o v emen t s . Th e R e s t o r a t i o n p e r i o d ma r k e d a Ne o -
Cl a s s i cal mo v em en t , mo d el e d o n t h e c l a s s i c s o f Gr e e c e a n d R o me

Neo c l a s s i ci s m i n t h e ater i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h e p u r i t y o f t h e a t r i c a l
f o r m, f i v e act s , r eal i s m, d ec o r u m o r r e s t r a i n t , a n d p u r p o s e . T h e
d o mi n a n t f o r ms o f t h e t h eat e r d u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d we r e t r a g ed i e s ,
wh i c h f o cu sed o n t h e u p p er s o c i a l c l a s s e s , a n d c o m ed i e s , wh i ch
f o cu s e d o n t h e l o wer s o ci al c l a s s e s .
Contents
T HE N E O C L A S S I CA L I S T S RE CO G N I Z E
O NLY T WO L E GI T I M AT E F OR M S O F
D RA M A – T R AG E DY A N D CO ME D Y.
M O RE OV E R, T H E S E T WO T Y P E S O F
D RA M A WE R E R E F E R RE D TO A S
‘ t h e h er o i c t r ag ed y ’
an d
‘ t h e c o m ed y o f m an n er s . ’
Tr a g e d i e s - portrayed the complex and fateful lives
of the upper classes and royals.

which were either public discourse

Comedies - or comedies of manners, tended to
f o c u s o n t h e l o w e r r a n k s o f s o c i e t y.
 Neoclassical Theatre in Moscow
• The Theater was characterized by its
grandiosity • The idea of changing scenery and
backdrops become more noticeable,
• Costumes and sceneries were particularly with the invention of pulley
highly elaborate system that allowed parts to move more
quickly acrossthe stage
• The main concepts of the plays
were to entertain and to teach • The concept of decorum (meaning right
lessons. and proper audience behavior ) was applie
in this period which means classical
• Stages were restyled with
concept and appropriet social behavior
dramatic arches to highlights must be observed.
the scenes • Established of tragety and comedy as two
• Lighting and sound effects types of plays.
intensifies the mood and message of • They never mixed these together, and the
each scene, enhancing the dramatic rectriction led to the used of the now well-
experiences. known pair of happy or sad masks that
symbolize the theatical arts.
AN 18TH-CENTURY NEOCLASSICAL THEATRE IN
OSTANKINO, MOSCOW
 PLAYWRIGHTS :
T H E P L AY W R I G H T S T H AT S U P P L I E D T H E F O R M AT O F T H E
NEOCLASSICAL MOVEMENT FOLLOWED STRICT
G U I D E L I N E S W H I L E C O N S T R U C T I N G T H E I R P L AY S . T H E Y
F O L L O W E D M U C H O F A R I S TO T L E ' S R U L E S I N T H E I R
PURSUIT OF CONNECTING WITH GREEK AND ROMAN
T H E AT R E ELEMENTS. THE N E O C L A S SI C A L P L AY
F O R M U L A WA S P R E T T Y B L A C K A N D W H I T E .
TREE PLAYWRIGHTS :

Pierre Cornielle Jean-baptiste

( 1606- 1684 ) Poquelin
( 1622-1673 )

Jean Racine
( 1639-1699 )
Pierre Cornielle
( 1606-1684 )

• 6 JU N E 1 6 0 6 – 1 O C TO BE R 1 6 8 4 ) WA S A F RE N CH tr ag ed i an. H e is
g en er all y c o ns id er ed o n e o f t h e th r ee gr eat sev en teen t h- cen tu r y F r en ch
d r am atist s, al o n g w it h Mo l ièr e an d R acin e.
• WA S O F T EN CA L LE D TH E ' ' FATH E R O F T H E F R EN C H T RA G E D Y ' ' ,
WR I T I N G S CR I P T S F O R MO RE T H A N F O U R D E CA D ES .

M A J OR WO RK :
THE
CID L e C i d i s a f i v e - a c t F r e n c h t ra g i c o m e d y
written by Pierre Corneille, first performed in
December 1636 at the Theatre du Marais in
P a r i s a n d p u b l i s h e d t h e s a m e y e a r. I t i s b a s e d
on guillen de Castro's play Las Mocedaes del
Cid. Castro's play in turn is based on the
legend pf El Cid
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin ( Better know as Moliere )
( 1606-1684 )

• 1 5 JA N U A RY 1 6 2 2 - 1 7 F E B R U A RY 1 6 7 3 , K N O WN B Y H I S S TA G E
N A M E M O L I E RE WA S A F R E N C H P L AY W RI G H T , A C TO R , A N D
P O E T, WI D E LY R E G A R D E D A S O N E O F T H E G R E AT E S T WR I T E R S
I N T H E F R E S H L A N G U A G E A N D WO R L D L I T E R AT U R E . H I S
E X TA N T WO R K S I N C L U D E C O ME D I E S , FA R C E S ,
T R A G I C O M E D I E S , C O M E D I E - B A L L E T S , A N D M O RE .
• K N O WN F O R H I S C O M E D I E S

MA JO R W OR K :
Ta r t u ff e ' s d e c e p t i o n o f O rg o n a n d h i s p l a n
TA RT U F F
to steal his property and his wife are the
E
m a i n p l o t s o f t h e p l a y.
M I S S A NT H RO P
E
T h e Mi s an t h r o p e i s co n c e r n e d w i t h
t h em e s o f h o n es t y a n d h y p o c r i sy,
justice and injustice, the
ma n i p u l a t i v e s o c i al g a me s p e o p l e
p l ay, a n d t h e c o n f l i c t b e t we e n t h e
individual and society.
Jean Racine
( 1639-1699 )

• 2 2 D E C E M B E R 1 6 3 9 - 2 1 A P RI L 1 6 9 9 WA S A F R E N C H
D R AM AT I S T, O N E O F T HE T HR E E G RE AT
• WA S A T RA G E D I A N B E L O VE D F O R H I S S I M P L E
A P P R OA C H TO A CT I O N A N D T H E L I N G UI S T I C A N D
E F F E C T S H E A CH I E VE D . .
Andromache, in Greek legend, the
daughter of Eëtion (prince of Thebe
MA JO R W OR K : in Mysia) and wife of Hector (son
o f K i n g P r i a m o f Tr o y ) . A l l h e r
AN D RO M A CH E A N D
r e l a t i o n s p e r i s h e d w h e n Tr o y w a s
P HA E D RA
taken by Achilles.

Ph a e d r a
Se n e ca p o r t ra y s Ph aed r a as s el f -a war e an d
d i r ec t i n t h e p u r s u i t o f h er s t ep s o n , wh i l e i n
o t h er t re at m en t s o f t h e m y t h , s h e i s m o r e o f a
p a ss i v e v i ct i m o f fa t e. T h i s P h ae d r a t a k e s o n
t h e s ch em i n g n at u r e a n d t h e cy n i c i sm o f t e n
as s i g n e d t o t h e n u r se c h a r ac t e r.
 TRIVIA ABOUT THE
NEOCLASSICAL THEATRE
• The first ''spotlight'' was used in the U.S. During
this period and was called the ''Limelight.

• The Theatre Regulation ACt of 1843 bannned

drinking in legitimate treatres.
this shows us that neoclassical period dramas offer us a glimpse into the social and political conventions of a particular era.
They often explore the themes of class, gender, power, and morality, and shed light on the cultural mores and values of the
time. Additionally, they can also serve as a form of escapism, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the rich and opulent
lifestyles of the period.

However, it is important to note that neoclassical period dramas often present a highly sanitized and idealized version of
history, whitewashing the darker aspects of the past such as slavery, colonization, and oppression of marginalized communities.
Furthermore, they often perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce traditional gender roles, portraying women as passive and
submissive to men.

In conclusion, while neoclassical period dramas can be entertaining and informative, it is essential to view them critically and
recognize their limitations in providing a complete and accurate portrayal of history.
In conclusion, while neoclassical period dramas can be entertaining and informative, it is essential to view them critically and
recognize their limitations in providing a complete and accurate portrayal of history.

They believed that tragedy could bewritten only about kings and nobles,whereas comedy should deal with themiddle or lower
classes. Tragedy was tobe resolved with death, and comedy withhappiness. The Neoclassic thought itmost important that the
two forms werenever to be mixed.
https://www.scribd.com/document/360160264/Neoclassical-Theater
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Corneille
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/m/the-misanthrope/molixe8re-biography?fbclid=IwAR0Tvl3uCnL-
yR4kyLJ_fRhD97tO7rfv_Sh98WGjsf0z6ccPsbKkZwkwuZc#:~:text=Moli%C3%A8re%20is%20the%20pseudonym%20for,more
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