The Death and Rebirth of a Genre

[ofcatslives]

To find a dramatic text that contains poetry in this post-modern period is unlikely, but looking back through the history of English literature, one can easily find such a work. This week in lecture we explored the plays of Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot that contained both prose and verse. It really never occurred to me to notice that these sorts of

Comments

[roger_kuin]

Good summary. One correction: verse drama didn't entirely disappear between Shakespeare and Eliot. Good verse drama went on until the late 17th/early 18th century; after that, the Romantics tried it but the plays were not very good. According to some sources I've read, it was in part the change in theatrical environment (both sets and acting) that killed it; also, verse drama is very much a craft as well as an art, and the Romantics concentrated so much on Art that craft tended to become uncertain and unreliable. YOu might have a look at Thomas Lovell Beddoes' extraordinary Death's Jest-Book: a completely insane early Victorian imitation of an Elizabethan tragedy. Beddoes is deeply perverse and quite gorgeous.
Language point (for future teacher): "to loose" with two o's is to unbind; not to find something is to "lose" with one o. A common error!

[ofcatslives]

Thanks for the additional information. I think I will take a look at the play you've suggested, anything that is both perverse and gorgeous couldn't be bad. As for the language error, I am most disappointed in myself, but I do appreciate that you correct me. I will keep all the points you have given me over the course of this school year in mind, because as you've mentioned, I do hope to be a teacher and I certainly wish to be one who has a grasp on grammar.

Thanks,
Janice

Infinite Beasts

[may_posa1]

First off, I am sorry I didnt respond sooner to your post, but I am glad you went ahead and wrote about Canadian content anyway because I would have given you the thumbs up, like I am now actually. So you ask previously whether I had a Canadian piece of poetry that I would like to share...right now I am searching around in my deak for it, one minute...okay I found it, its actually one of my favorite poems of all time, so dont judge me harshly, here it goes

Re: Infinite Beasts

[ofcatslives]

Oh Lesley-Anne, no apologies required, I am just pleased that you have responded to my post. I am sure you have also noticed the decline in comments from our group member over the last few months.

Anyhow, thanks for the Canadian poem. Despite your apparent view of me as a critical person ("its actually one of my favorite poems of all time, so dont judge me harshly"~Lesley-Anne), I did enjoy the poem. Although, I don't quite believe it is the greatest poem, it was still a nice read and I really do apprecaite that you have chosen to participate in my Canadian Content posts.

Janice

[elephamus]

a) I found your description of Eliot's use of verse in drama to be very perceptive - and helpful!

b) I like the Canadian Content posts! I hadn't read your first post asking people if they'd be interested in them until now. I will probably read and try to comment on your blog regularly since none of my group members have been posting regularly.

[ofcatslives]

a) I am so glad my post has been of help to you. Thank you for reading it.

b) I have lost all but one group member, so I look forward to your comments. I will add you to my list of friends, so I may read your posts as well.

Thanks again,

Janice

[tricia_stewart]

Hi Janice, I'm not lost, well maybe for awhile but that was more an emotional thing than a physical one. I'm sorry that I haven't been there to support you like a true Group E member should. As to your post, it was as interesting as always and I too have not noticed the lack of verse in dramatic texts.

-Tricia