Character, Genre, And Ethos In Nineteenth-Century British Drama

The document examines nineteenth-century British drama, challenging the idea that it was disconnected from contemporary life and arguing for its deep connection with the life of the age. It explores the evolution of character types, particularly the 'swell' character, and how playwrights like T.W. Robertson and Oscar Wilde developed these characters to reflect societal values. The analysis of George Colman's play "John Bull" shows how it addressed social dynamics of wealth and class, resonating with the changing theatrical audience. The document also discusses the play "The Second Mrs Tanqueray" by Arthur Wing Pinero, noting its idealization of human motives and behavior, and compares the well-made play's avoidance of metaphysical issues to the melodramatic assumptions of the time. It concludes that the ethical orientation of the well-made play is rooted in early melodrama and that these plays offer insights into the contemporary concerns of the era.