Closet Drama

Closet Drama : 

Closet drama as a literary composition written in the form of a play (usually as a dramatic poem), but intended or suited only for reading in a closet (i.e. a private study) rather than for stage performance‘. It is a form of drama based on dialogue that is read like a play but cannot be performed as play on stage. The precursor of this form existed during classical times. Closet drama was popular in the early 19th century when melodrama and burlesque dominated the theater and poets attempted to raise dramatic standards by reviving past traditions.

Closet dramas gained popularity during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras and saw a revival during the Romantic period. They were particularly favored by writers who wished to avoid the constraints and censorship of public performance. This genre provided a platform for political dissent and personal expression, especially for those marginalized from mainstream theatrical production, such as women writers

Form of Closet Drama :  

Closet drama is a drama in written form that does not rely upon improving stage
direction as it simply intended to read and not to be performed on stage. They feature high thinking, philosophic and rhetoric ideas, less dramatic techniques and less action. The dialogues were wrapped in philosophy that Greek and Roman writers such as Plato used. It gave more thoughtful provocation to readers without visual representation.

Examples

⦿ Byron‘s Manfred (1817)
⦿ Shelley‘s The Cenci
⦿ Goethe‘s Fast (Part I, 1808; Part II, 1832)
⦿ Milton‘s Samson Agonistes (1671)

Conclusion :

Closet dramas hold a unique place in literary history. They reflect the cultural and social dynamics of their time, offering insights into the personal and political concerns of their authors. Moreover, they highlight the intersection of literature and performance, challenging the boundaries between the two.