The Study Of Robertson Davies' Playwriting

This thesis is aimed at the study of Robertson Davies (1913,8~1995,12), a Canadian playwright, and his works. First, the thesis makes a general exposition of the historical development of Canadian drama, the present state of the research of Robertson Davies'playwriting, and Commonwealth drama, which includes the general state of Commonwealth drama, four phases of its development, and American cultural influences on Commonwealth drama. Then, it analyzes the elements, which influence and encourage Robertson Davies to take up playwriting as a profession, such as his family, his early experiences, the little theatre movement and the social circumstances of his time. On the basis of summarizing and generalizing his works, it also gives a comprehensive classification of them, which falls roughly into three categories: history, morality and autobiographical plays. Next, based on dramatic theories, it continues to analyze some of Davies'works and approach Davies'playwriting method from different angles, thus revealing his comic style in the form of melodrama and his dramatic features in dialogue, plot and characterization. Finally, this thesis, focused on one of Davies'great works, Fortune, My Foe, is preoccupied with the key points of its success in terms of its theme and its creative methods. Meanwhile the writer clarifies her own views on Davies'plays in order to have a real recognition of Davies'unique position in the Canadian drama circle and his important influence on the development of Canadian drama, and to have a deep feeling for the idiosyncrasies of Davies'playwriting and the dramatic charm of his works.