The Modern Theater19th Century- Present

REALISM

Conventions of Realism Realism: The attempt to reproduce

faithfully the surface appearance of life, especially that of ordinary people in everyday situations.• Henrik Ibsen’s ‘Problem Plays’ dealt mostly

with the social problems of middle-class characters.

Conventions of Realism In opposition to the picture-frame

stage used previously, Realism uses a box set to represent a room.

Conventions of Realism Naturalism- a type of realism that

deals with the more brutal or unpleasant aspects of reality.

Conventions of Realism Tragicomedy- a play that evokes not

only pity and fear, but also laughter.• Comic Relief- passages of clownish humor in

a tragicomedy that introduces a sharp contrast in mood.

• Antihero- Ordinary people who carry on not from bravery, but from lack of ambition.