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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help
Among the greek dramatists, and most dramatists in general, there is an important issue that must be adhered to when writing a play. The one I am addressing is the "unities". The unities require the dramatist to pay attention to the passage of time as well as some historical factors and geographical characteristics. For instance, you may find it quite odd to be watching ER and all of the sudden a Roman soldier comes walking down the street crying out that Jesus is about to be crucified on that day. Wrong time, wrong area. Sophocles was considered a very good dramatist because of many factors, but one of them was because he payed attention to this.
As the unities pertain to Shakerspeare, one of the main problems that people have with Shakespeare is that he would "break the rules" in order to put on a good show. One example of this is in Henry IV part one. Prince Hal is pitted against Percy and they are roughly the same age. In reality, Percy was many years older than Hal. There are examples such as clocks chiming in times when clocks did not exist and other such occurances in other plays. You have to be the judge to consider whether this is a hinderance or an assett. Good luck.Posted by Caius on April 05, 1997 at 22:42:09
In Reply to "Greek unities of time and space" posted by Todd on April 04, 1997 at 19:31:57
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help