Masefield, Drinkwater and Abercrombie: a study of dramatic theory and practice

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to show the inevitable resurgence of poetic drama in the twentieth century as an element of a general renaissance in the theatre, and in direct descent from the nineteenth century. An attempt is made to indicate the nature of poetic drama with some of its special problems and manifestations in this century, illustrated in the critical and practical pioneer work of Masefield, Drinkwater and Abercrombie. Evidence is put forward to show that Abercrombie is the greatest in stature and has done the most notable work of the three, all of whom, however, have made valuable contributions. The achievement of the dramatists is assessed not only in the renaissance of drama, but as individuals and as a significant group. In Chapter I some nineteenth century poetic dramas are examined in order to indicate the kind of problems which face all poetic dramatists. These and the special problem which were bequeathed to poetic dramatists in this century, in addition to some achievements and experiments, are used to show the direct line of descent. In the second chapter Masefield, Drinkwater and Abercrombie are treated as a group. They are linked biographically and historically in relation to the nineteenth and twentieth century environments. Their critical and practical work Is shown to provide varied and serious material for the consideration of poetic drama. Chapters III, IV and V deal with the dramatists Individually. Their dramatic theories are detached from their critical work as a whole, and their dramas are laid beside their theories. The central and most extensive section - Chapter IV - is devoted to Abercrombie as the greatest of the three. His dramatic work and imagery are used to distinguish the dramatic poem from the poetic drama, and the philosophic from the dramatic conception, as further evidence of the nature of poetic drama. In the last chapter, the language of the three dramatists is considered. A select book-list in close collaboration with the foot-notes is appended.