What Do the Famous Plays Have to Say to a Modern Audience? Critical Essay

The Two Famous Plays

Drama is one of the most spectacular and most appealing forms of art. Such masterpieces as plays by Sophocles and Shakespeare will never become less popular or out-of-date. These plays still appeal to people’s hearts and make them think of such important issues as life and death, love and hatred, duty and passions, wisdom and silliness, etc.

Thus, the two plays cannot be regarded as masterpieces of past centuries, but should be seen as writings of wisdom that speak to modernity as modern theatregoers will have a variety of important issues to consider.

Romeo and Juliet

As far as Shakespearean Romeo and Juliet is concerned, the viewers are exposed to “a bold portrayal of the passions and playfulness of youth” (Cohen 113). The play consists of the sequence of quite short scenes which are full of action and passion. These scenes resemble short memories of something that was lived through long ago or dreams which are only yet to come true.

The story is known to everyone, but each viewer inevitably finds something new while watching the play. The language of the play is very appealing and it is understandable for the modern viewer. The viewer is involved in the entire story. Of course, the famous lines can never be forgotten, “For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo” (Shakespeare n.p.). It is necessary to note that the viewer is absorbed by the passions of the two young people who make lots of mistakes but prove that love is even bigger than life.

The modern viewer can learn what the real passion is. Young people will feel their story is being told. At the same time, the play will bring back memories of youth to older viewers. In both cases, the play evokes the deepest and most important feelings and thoughts in the contemporary audience.

Oedipus Rex

As far as Oedipus Rex is concerned, the play is more serious and philosophical than Shakespearean love story. Oedipus Rex is “a play of questions” (Cohen 63). Of course, it is possible to contemplate thoughts and ideas that occurred to Sophocles’ contemporaries (one can hardly understand what those ideas were, though). However, contemporary viewers will also find the play appealing.

The play makes people think of fate and freedom of will. One of the most serious issues each viewer will strive to solve is revealed in the following lines, “I was predestined to some awful doom. / So be it.” (Sophocles n.p.). The modern viewer, who is brought up in terms of principles of free will, inevitably thinks whether free will does exist.

The play is very philosophical. The contemporary viewers will try to think of specific episodes in their lives to prove that there is no predestination and it is impossible to accept any plan prescribed. A modern viewer is likely to reject Oedipus’ solution, “So be it” (Sophocles n.p.). Though, the play can become very convincing for many.

Conclusion

It is possible to note that the two famous plays are not out-of-date as they make people consider important issues. The plays make people reconsider their ways and try to find answers to the questions raised. Admittedly, this is the most important function of art, i.e. to make people think of important issues. Therefore, it is possible to note that such plays as Oedipus Rex and Romeo and Juliet will never become outdated as they raise ‘eternal questions’.

Works Cited

Cohen, Robert. Theatre. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.

Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare.Mit.Edu. n.d. Web.

Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Ancient-mythology.com. 2012. Web.