6.4 Notable 18th-century playwrights and works across Europe

The 18th century saw a boom in European theater, with playwrights pushing boundaries and sparking change. From Italy to Ireland, writers like Goldoni and Sheridan crafted witty comedies that poked fun at society's quirks.

Meanwhile, heavy hitters like Lessing and Alfieri tackled big ideas in their dramas. Religious tolerance, political freedom, and moral dilemmas took center stage. These plays didn't just entertain—they got people talking and thinking about the world around them.

Key Playwrights of 18th-Century Europe

Italian Playwrights

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• Carlo Goldoni, an Italian playwright, known for his comedies of manners that reformed the commedia dell'arte tradition by introducing more realistic characters and situations
  • Goldoni's reforms of commedia dell'arte were initially met with resistance from traditionalists but eventually gained popularity and influenced the development of realistic comedy in Europe
  • "The Servant of Two Masters" exemplifies his reformation of commedia dell'arte by featuring a well-developed plot, realistic characters, and social commentary
• Vittorio Alfieri, an Italian dramatist and poet, known for his neoclassical tragedies that often dealt with themes of liberty and anti-tyranny
  • Alfieri's tragedies, such as "Saul" and "Mirra," known for their intense emotions, moral dilemmas, and themes of liberty and anti-tyranny, often inspired by classical sources
  • Alfieri's tragedies were admired for their intensity and moral rectitude, and his style influenced the development of Italian romantic drama in the 19th century

French and Irish Playwrights

• Pierre Beaumarchais, a French polymath and playwright, best known for his Figaro plays, which were socially satirical and politically subversive
  • "The Barber of Seville" and "The Marriage of Figaro" known for their witty dialogue, social satire, and the subversive character of Figaro, who challenges the aristocracy
  • Beaumarchais' Figaro plays were immensely popular with audiences and contributed to the growing social and political unrest that led to the French Revolution
• Richard Brinsley Sheridan, an Irish satirist and playwright, renowned for his comedies of manners, particularly "The School for Scandal" and "The Rivals"
  • "The School for Scandal" is a comedy of manners that satirizes the gossip and hypocrisy of upper-class society, featuring clever wordplay and memorable characters
  • Sheridan's comedies of manners were well-received by audiences and helped establish the genre as a staple of English theatre, influencing later playwrights like Oscar Wilde

German Playwrights

• Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, a German philosopher and playwright, wrote "Miss Sara Sampson," considered the first bourgeois tragedy, and "Nathan the Wise," which promoted religious tolerance
  • "Nathan the Wise" promotes religious tolerance through its depiction of a wise Jewish merchant who engages in philosophical debates with Christian and Muslim characters
  • Lessing's plays, particularly "Nathan the Wise," sparked discussions about religious tolerance and the Enlightenment ideals of reason and humanism

Themes and Innovations in 18th-Century Theatre

Social Commentary and Satire

• Goldoni's comedies of manners reformed commedia dell'arte by introducing more realistic characters and situations, offering social commentary
• Beaumarchais' Figaro plays were socially satirical and politically subversive, challenging the aristocracy and contributing to growing social and political unrest
• Sheridan's comedies of manners, such as "The School for Scandal," satirized the gossip and hypocrisy of upper-class society

Philosophical and Moral Themes

• Lessing's "Nathan the Wise" promoted religious tolerance and sparked discussions about Enlightenment ideals of reason and humanism
• Alfieri's neoclassical tragedies often dealt with themes of liberty, anti-tyranny, intense emotions, and moral dilemmas
• Lessing's "Miss Sara Sampson," considered the first bourgeois tragedy, explored moral themes and social issues

Innovations in Style and Genre

• Goldoni reformed commedia dell'arte by introducing well-developed plots, realistic characters, and social commentary
• Sheridan's comedies of manners helped establish the genre as a staple of English theatre, influencing later playwrights like Oscar Wilde
• Alfieri's neoclassical tragedies, inspired by classical sources, influenced the development of Italian romantic drama in the 19th century

Reception and Impact of 18th-Century Plays

Audience Reception and Popularity

• Goldoni's reforms of commedia dell'arte initially met resistance from traditionalists but eventually gained popularity
• Beaumarchais' Figaro plays were immensely popular with audiences, contributing to growing social and political unrest
• Sheridan's comedies of manners were well-received by audiences and helped establish the genre as a staple of English theatre

Influence on Theatre Practices and Later Playwrights

• Goldoni's reforms influenced the development of realistic comedy in Europe
• Beaumarchais' plays contributed to the social and political climate leading to the French Revolution
• Sheridan's works influenced later playwrights like Oscar Wilde
• Alfieri's style influenced the development of Italian romantic drama in the 19th century

Sparking Discussions and Promoting Ideas

• Lessing's plays, particularly "Nathan the Wise," sparked discussions about religious tolerance and Enlightenment ideals
• Beaumarchais' Figaro plays challenged the aristocracy and contributed to growing social and political unrest
• Goldoni's comedies of manners offered social commentary and reformed commedia dell'arte traditions

Playwright Approaches in 18th-Century Europe vs. Techniques

Comedic vs. Serious Works

• Goldoni, Beaumarchais, and Sheridan known for their comedic works, focusing on social satire, witty dialogue, and memorable characters
  • Goldoni's "The Servant of Two Masters" and Sheridan's "The School for Scandal" exemplify their comedic approaches
  • Beaumarchais' Figaro plays, "The Barber of Seville" and "The Marriage of Figaro," showcase his wit and social satire
• Lessing and Alfieri primarily associated with serious dramas and tragedies, focusing on philosophical ideas and moral themes
  • Lessing's "Nathan the Wise" and "Miss Sara Sampson" explore religious tolerance and moral issues
  • Alfieri's "Saul" and "Mirra" are known for their intense emotions and moral dilemmas

Contrasting Styles and Focus

• Goldoni and Sheridan both wrote comedies of manners, but Goldoni focused on reforming commedia dell'arte, while Sheridan satirized upper-class English society
• Beaumarchais and Lessing used their plays to promote social and political ideas, with Beaumarchais focusing on class struggle and Lessing on religious tolerance
• Alfieri's neoclassical tragedies contrast with the more realistic and socially-oriented works of Goldoni and Beaumarchais, as Alfieri focused on intense emotions and moral dilemmas inspired by classical sources