Realism Paper Essay Example
Realism Paper Essay Example

Realism Paper Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (527 words)
  • Published: November 29, 2018
  • Type: Essay
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Realism, a 19th century movement, aimed to transform playwrights from traditional romantic pieces to focusing on the day-to-day activities that shaped people's daily lives. This new writing style influenced acting and brought about several changes in how actors prepared for their stage roles. Actors began studying actual events in society and rehearsing them before performing on stage. For instance, if a play depicted a wealthy character, actors would research the behaviors of affluent individuals in society and incorporate what they learned into their stage preparation (Taubman 22).

Realism also allowed actors to have more freedom onstage. In contrast to previous methods where actors were expected to adhere strictly to the script, they were now permitted to express themselves in order to portray real-life characters more accurately. This shift in writing style focused on real-life events, which

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required the actors to immerse themselves in the presented situations and develop their characters accordingly. As a result, acting became more flexible compared to the previous techniques that relied on emotions and character behavior. Instead, actors were encouraged to express themselves and deviate from the scripted lines. Prior to the emergence of realism, adherence to the script was the norm (Taubman 22).

The focus of realism in writing led to corresponding changes in acting, allowing actors to fully represent real-life situations. They were now able to adapt to on-stage circumstances as needed. For example, if a prop malfunctioned or broke, the actor had to incorporate that into their performance without relying on the mention of the broken prop. Realism in playwriting necessitated these changes in acting to accurately depict society as it truly was (Taubman 22). The introduction of these change

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was essential because the new plays were reflecting the reality of society, prompting the theater industry to adapt accordingly. This was primarily driven by the desire for plays that people could connect to their daily lives, encompassing governance, religion, politics, and family matters. Consequently, the roles of actors had to transform in order to reflect the new writing style and accurately portray society, appealing to audiences who sought relatable productions. These changes also served as a rebellion against the notion that life was rational and orderly, instead highlighting the authenticity of societal realities.These changes were necessary in order to challenge the romantic and idealized portrayal of traditional art, which falsely suggested that romantic love was more fulfilling than it actually was. The focus of these changes was to depict the realities of love life as it truly existed (Morris 67). Leading the way in these changes was Konstantin Stanislavsky, who sent his actors to impoverished slums to prepare for roles portraying poverty. Another advocate for these changes was David Belasco, who introduced the box stage and realistic furnishings that accurately portrayed how people lived in their everyday lives. Lee Strasberg also followed in the footsteps of Stanislavsky and named his approach "the method." The Victorians played a significant role in pioneering these changes as well. It is worth remembering the contributions of the following writers who helped bring about these changes: T. W. Robertson, Henry Arthur Jones, Harley Granville, Henrik Ibsen, Eugene O'Neill in America, and Augustin Eugene Scribein in France.

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