Neoclassical drama developed in 17th and 18th century Europe, especially in France and Italy. It was influenced by Classical Greek and Roman drama, following Aristotle’s Poetics and Horace’s Ars Poetica. It was flourished in France (under Louis XIV) and later influenced England. It sought order, structure, and decorum, opposing the excesses and irregularities of Elizabethan/Renaissance drama. The periods of Early Neoclassicism (Mid-17th Century) was dominated by French playwrights, Mature Neoclassicism (Late 17th – 18th Century) spread to England and Italy, and the Decline of Neoclassicism (Late 18th Century) came when Romanticism challenged rigid Neoclassical rules.
Characteristics of Neoclassical Drama
- Adherence to the Three Unities (Aristotle’s Rules) - It followed Unity of Time (the play should occur within 24 hours), Unity of Place (a single location or minimal change of setting), and Unity of Action (no subplots, rather a single central action).
- Verisimilitude (Realism) - It states that the events must be realistic and believable with no supernatural elements (ghosts, magic, or divine interventions).
- Decorum - Its characters should behave according to their social status and age. There was no mixing of tragedy and comedy.
- Five-Act Structure - Neoclassical Plays were structured into five acts following Classical models.
- Moral Didacticism - Neoclassical Drama taught moral lessons and reflect ethical behavior.
- Elegance and Refinement - The formal and polished language (avoiding crude expressions) was used to convey their meaning.
- Use of Rhymed Verse and Prose - French Neoclassicism used Alexandrine verse (12-syllable lines), while English Neoclassicism used blank verse and heroic couplets.
Types of Neoclassical Drama
- Neoclassical Tragedy - It is a serious play with noble characters, tragic flaws lead hero to downfall, and no comic relief or supernatural elements. Phaedra (1677) by Jean Racine and Cinna (1639) by Pierre Corneille are some of the examples.
- Neoclassical Comedy - It is light-hearted play with satirical tone, based on witty dialogues and manners of the elite. For instance, Tartuffe (1664) by Molière and The Misanthrope (1666) by Molière.
- Heroic Drama - It is a mix of tragedy and epic themes and features heroic characters, grand settings, and elevated language. For example, The Conquest of Granada (1670) by John Dryden.
- Sentimental Drama - It was emerged in the 18th century, focused on virtuous characters, and evoked pity and emotion rather than classical tragedy. For instance, The Conscious Lovers (1722) by Richard Steele.
Major Writers and Their Works
- Pierre Corneille (1606-1684) - He was the master of Neoclassical Tragedy. His major works are Le Cid (1637) which was a heroic play dealing with honor and duty.
- Jean Racine (1639-1699) - He focused on psychological depth and tragic intensity. His main work was Phaedra (1677) which was a tragic play about forbidden love.
- Molière (1622-1673) - He lead Neoclassical Comedy playwright. His major works are Tartuffe (1664) (satire on religious hypocrisy) and The Misanthrope (1666) (satire social manners of that time).
- John Dryden (1631-1700) - He is the father of English Neoclassical Drama. His major works are All for Love (1677) (a Neoclassical adaptation of Antony and Cleopatra) and The Conquest of Granada (1670) (a heroic drama).
- William Congreve (1670-1729) - He is master of Restoration Comedy. His major work is The Way of the World (1700) which is a satire on social manners.
- Richard Steele (1672-1729) - He was pioneer of Sentimental Comedy. His major work is The Conscious Lovers (1722) which is a moral and emotional drama.
Comparison with Other Dramas
| Feature | Neoclassical Drama | Elizabethan Drama | Romantic Drama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Period | 17th-18th Century | 16th-17th Century | 18th-19th Century |
| Structure | Rigid, Five Acts | Flexible | Loose, Episodic |
| The Unities | Strictly Followed | Often Ignored | Ignored |
| Themes | Morality, Order | Chaos, Ambiguity | Emotion, Imagination |
| Language | Refined, Formal | Poetic, Mixed Styles | Poetic, Flowery |
| Mixing of Genres | Forbidden | Allowed | Allowed |
Neoclassical Drama was a reaction against Renaissance excesses, emphasizing structure, morality, and realism. It shaped tragedy, comedy, and heroic drama, influencing later literary movements. Major figures like Racine, Molière, and Dryden perfected the form, leaving an enduring impact. It set the foundation for modern drama in terms of structure and style. It influenced 19th-century realism (e.g., Henrik Ibsen).
