LITERATURE QUESTIONS
RESTORATION EIGHTEENTH CENTURY DRAMA
|
Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
|
|
|
Italian opera.
|
|
|
arias that were not understood by British audiences.
|
|
|
high society.
|
|
|
elaborate costumes and sets.
|
|
|
censorship of the theatre.
|
Detailed explanation-1: -This satire is composed of three primary elements: the aesthetic, which parodied the Italian operatic form then in fashion; the social, which pointed out the hypocrisy and vice within English society; and the political, which concentrated its powers of observation on those ruling the country.
Detailed explanation-2: -The story satirised politics, poverty and injustice, focusing on the theme of corruption at all levels of society. Lavinia Fenton, the first Polly Peachum, became an overnight success. Her pictures were in great demand, verses were written to her and books published about her.
Detailed explanation-3: -A new genre was established: The Comedy of Manners. These plays focused on truthful presentation of human flaws and weaknesses displayed through wit and satire.
Detailed explanation-4: -Third edition of The Beggar’s Opera by John Gay, 1729 Peachum is widely agreed to have been based on the notorious ‘Thief-Taker General’ Jonathan Wild, hanged at Tyburn in 1725.