The Pioneer of Russia
Without Alexander Ostrovsky, theatre today would be completely different. Ostrovsky was one of the most influential Russian playwrights; he developed a new style of realism, rooted in his personal experience, and propagated his innovative ideas through his educational endeavors and leadership in the dramatic community. Evidence of his impact can be seen both in the critical and popular acclaim he achieved in his lifetime and the ongoing influence of his work today. Alexander Ostrovsky was one of the most influential playwrights of the Russian realistic period because he picked controversial topics that related to the real world and established a theatre to continue his legacy for younger generations.
Alexander Ostrovsky …show more content…
He was lauded by critics and the general public during his lifetime and remains esteemed today. “Ostrovsky’s plays are still on stage on big and small theatres of almost every Russian city. Many of his works were filmed (Russia I-C).” His plays are still being produced in many theatres all over Russia, so, he is still a big deal there, even after some 150 years. “He is praised in particular for his insight into the physcology of the Russian people, and many of his well- drawn characters are favorites among Russian actors and audiences.” (Enotes). Ostrovsky was revered for the realistic depiction of Russian life and people. He was widely praised for his characters by contemporaries, critics, and the audience. Contemporaries like Nikolai Gogol and Ivan Goncharov enjoyed his plays immensely and gave favoring reviews. Ostrovsky had a career “without a rival among Russian authors for theatre.” (Theatre Database). He was such a pioneer in his field that he did not have any rivalries with other playwrights. “Ostrovsky alone in the present literary epoch has his own firm, new, and at the same time ideal world outlook with a special shade… perhaps, from the nature of the poet himself... ~ Moskvityanin, No. 1 1853” (Enotes). Critics like Moskvityanin, praised his writing and the way he incorporated his views into his plays. Alexander Ostrovsky was very popular with his …show more content…
Most notably, he co- founded The Society of Russian Dramatic Art and Opera Composers. “Ostrovsky headed the repertory department of the Moscow Imperial Theatres (Russiapedia).” He oversaw the production of many plays for the royal theatre. Through this vehicle, Ostrovsky was able to propagate his new vision. He altered parts of Russian theatre which now seem normal, but were revolutionary in 19th century Russian. “Alexander Ostrovsky’s plays became the basis for Russian theatre in its modern meaning. The writer created the theatrical school and an all- in- one conception of staging (Russia I-C).” Ostrovsky also introduced the concept that all roles, even supporting ones, were important to the play. Finally, “it was Ostrovsky who introduced the concept of the ‘fourth wall’ to Russian theatre, and he was the first to pay great attention to the characters’ diction (Russia I-C).” The fourth wall is an imaginary wall between the actors and the audience, so it seemed like the audience was watching another world instead of the actors being part of theirs. This is an important part to theatre and is still widely used today.
Alexander Ostrovsky impacted Russian realism by writing plays about debatable topics and established a school and theatre to ensure his legacy. The sheer genius of Ostrovsky’s topics ensured him a spot in theatrical history.
Without Alexander Ostrovsky, theatre today would be completely different. Ostrovsky was one of the most influential Russian playwrights; he developed a new style of realism, rooted in his personal experience, and propagated his innovative ideas through his educational endeavors and leadership in the dramatic community. Evidence of his impact can be seen both in the critical and popular acclaim he achieved in his lifetime and the ongoing influence of his work today. Alexander Ostrovsky was one of the most influential playwrights of the Russian realistic period because he picked controversial topics that related to the real world and established a theatre to continue his legacy for younger generations.
Alexander Ostrovsky …show more content…
He was lauded by critics and the general public during his lifetime and remains esteemed today. “Ostrovsky’s plays are still on stage on big and small theatres of almost every Russian city. Many of his works were filmed (Russia I-C).” His plays are still being produced in many theatres all over Russia, so, he is still a big deal there, even after some 150 years. “He is praised in particular for his insight into the physcology of the Russian people, and many of his well- drawn characters are favorites among Russian actors and audiences.” (Enotes). Ostrovsky was revered for the realistic depiction of Russian life and people. He was widely praised for his characters by contemporaries, critics, and the audience. Contemporaries like Nikolai Gogol and Ivan Goncharov enjoyed his plays immensely and gave favoring reviews. Ostrovsky had a career “without a rival among Russian authors for theatre.” (Theatre Database). He was such a pioneer in his field that he did not have any rivalries with other playwrights. “Ostrovsky alone in the present literary epoch has his own firm, new, and at the same time ideal world outlook with a special shade… perhaps, from the nature of the poet himself... ~ Moskvityanin, No. 1 1853” (Enotes). Critics like Moskvityanin, praised his writing and the way he incorporated his views into his plays. Alexander Ostrovsky was very popular with his …show more content…
Most notably, he co- founded The Society of Russian Dramatic Art and Opera Composers. “Ostrovsky headed the repertory department of the Moscow Imperial Theatres (Russiapedia).” He oversaw the production of many plays for the royal theatre. Through this vehicle, Ostrovsky was able to propagate his new vision. He altered parts of Russian theatre which now seem normal, but were revolutionary in 19th century Russian. “Alexander Ostrovsky’s plays became the basis for Russian theatre in its modern meaning. The writer created the theatrical school and an all- in- one conception of staging (Russia I-C).” Ostrovsky also introduced the concept that all roles, even supporting ones, were important to the play. Finally, “it was Ostrovsky who introduced the concept of the ‘fourth wall’ to Russian theatre, and he was the first to pay great attention to the characters’ diction (Russia I-C).” The fourth wall is an imaginary wall between the actors and the audience, so it seemed like the audience was watching another world instead of the actors being part of theirs. This is an important part to theatre and is still widely used today.
Alexander Ostrovsky impacted Russian realism by writing plays about debatable topics and established a school and theatre to ensure his legacy. The sheer genius of Ostrovsky’s topics ensured him a spot in theatrical history.