Trace the growth of English tragedy since the Mystery and Miracle Plays. [British Drama (2018-19) Assignment 1]

English tragedy has a long history that can be traced back to the Middle Ages when it evolved from the Mystery and Miracle Plays. These plays were based on religious stories and were performed by the guilds in various cities.

In the 16th century, with the growth of humanism and the revival of classical learning, there was a resurgence of interest in tragedy as a literary form. The earliest English tragedies were influenced by classical models and were written by playwrights such as Thomas Kyd and Christopher Marlowe. These plays, such as Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy" and Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus," were characterized by their use of blank verse and their exploration of themes such as ambition, revenge, and the struggle between good and evil.

The Elizabethan era saw the rise of William Shakespeare, who wrote some of the most famous tragedies in English literature, including "Hamlet," "Othello," "Macbeth," and "King Lear." Shakespeare's tragedies were marked by their complex characters, psychological depth, and exploration of human nature. They also incorporated elements of the supernatural and the fantastic, which was typical of the Elizabethan age.

In the 17th century, the English Civil War and the Interregnum saw a decline in the popularity of tragedy, as the Puritans disapproved of the theater. However, with the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the theater experienced a revival, and the Restoration period saw the rise of Restoration comedy, as well as a new form of tragedy called the heroic play.

In the 18th century, tragedy continued to evolve, with playwrights such as John Dryden and Richard Steele writing plays that explored political and social themes. In the 19th century, the Romantic era saw a renewed interest in Shakespeare, and many of his plays were revived and reinterpreted by Romantic writers such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Hazlitt.

In the 20th century, English tragedy continued to evolve and explore new themes, with playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, and David Mamet pushing the boundaries of the form. Today, English tragedy remains a vital and dynamic part of the literary and theatrical landscape, with new plays and interpretations being produced all the time.