Elizabethan and Modern Drama: Ethical Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Ethics is central to any moral philosophy of human behavior that deals with questions about what is morally right or wrong, fair or unfair. It is a reflection of the foundational role of human habits and dispositions in moral philosophy. The development of ethics has been shaped by key philosophical traditions, from Greek antiquity to the modern era, evolving to address complex moral issues in a variety of contexts. The historical journey of the ethical philosophy illustrated the deep connection between languages, philosophy and human understanding of morality. Both Elizabethan and Modern drama grapple with fundamental ethical questions, reflecting the values and anxieties of their respective eras. While Elizabethan drama often explored morality through the lens of divine order and social hierarchy, modern drama tends to focus on individual experience, psychological realism, and social critique. This study will examine some key ethical themes in both periods, highlighting similarities and differences in their approaches.