Introduction: The English History Play in the Twentieth Century

Abstract

Although the history play is a most popular genre among English playwrights of this century very little research has been done in the field. In particular, because it is a large and difficult subject, critics have generally tended to shirk any attempt to define the scope and the limits of the genre. Such attempts at definition as have been made are mainly based on Elizabethan playwrights and practice, and very little work has been done along these lines in relation to the twentieth century. The term ‘history play’ has often been used rather loosely and in the twentieth century the existence of such a genre has not been clearly defined or sufficiently elucidated. Various preconceptions surround the term so that our understanding of its meaning is, at best, hazy. It therefore must be critically rewarding to examine it afresh, seeking to define more precisely the scope and limits of the genre.