7 Depending on whether one reads a play or watches it on stage, one has different
kinds of access to dramatic texts. As a reader, one receives first-hand written information if it is mentioned in the secondary text on what the characters look like,
how they act and react in certain situations, how they speak, what sort of setting forms the background to a scene, etc. However, one also has to make a cognitive
effort to imagine all these features and interpret them for oneself. Stage performances, on the other hand, are more or less ready-made instantiations of all
these details. In other words: at the theatre one is presented with a version of the play which has already been interpreted by the director, actors, costume designers, make-
up artists and all the other members of theatre staff, who bring the play to life. Basics of English Studies, Version 0304, Drama
2.3 Comparative Literature Study
Comparative literature as an intellectual field arose in the nineteenth century, a counterpart of the equally new fields of comparative anatomy, comparative law,
and comparative philology. These fields sought to locate what they postulated as the larger whole that united the various differences of specific languages, laws, species,
and national literatures. Comparative literature presumably acquired its name as such from a series of French anthologies for the teaching of literature; published in
1816, they were entitled Cours de littérature comparée.
The intellectual field and later the academic discipline of comparative literature, then, circulated and developed in nineteenth century Europe as a
gentlemanly and evaluative inquiry into what constituted the worthy contemporary literatures of Europe, the exchanges between those literatures, and their links to
8 presumably shared traditions of the past. It is noteworthy that this development was
concomitant with the emergence and consolidation of nation states in Europe and their legitimation through cultural claims to national literary and popular traditions. It
is as noteworthy that the circulation and institutionalization of the concept of comparative literature was also concomitant with the continuing colonial expansion
of European states throughout the globe and with the intra-European contest over who would control which colonies. In 1886, one of the `map-makers in the
burgeoning field of comparative literature, Hutcheson Macaulay Posnett in his Comparative Literature, published in London by K. Paul - Trench as part of their
“International Scientific Series” defined “the proper order of our studies in comparative literature” as the pursuit “ of causes which can be specified and
described.” Those studies were to reveal the socio-cultural development of “man” from clan to city, from city to nation, from both of these to cosmopolitan humanity
Comparative literature is the study of literature from around the world, transcending the restrictions of national and linguistic boundaries. Traditionally,
comparative study has been based on literary movements, periods and lines of influence, as well as on genres, themes, myths, and legends. In recent years
comparative literature has come to include the comparison of literature with other areas of human experience.
Comparative literature is an excellent major for anyone desiring a broadening and enriching liberal arts education. Its application to foreign cultures is particularly
useful for careers in foreign service and international trade. Translating, editing and publishing, journalism, broadcasting, and film are other possibilities, as well as
advertising and public relations, politics, writing, library work, and criticism.
9 Comparative literature is also, like English, an excellent foundation for careers in the
professions, especially law. Comparative literature is the study of inter-relationship between any two or
more than two significant literary works or literatures. It is essential that while making comparative study we must take the sources, themes, motif, myths, forms,
artistic strategies, social and religious movements and trends into consideration. comparative study has been based on literary movements, periods and lines of
influence, as well as on genres, themes, myths, and legends. In recent years comparative literature has come to include the comparison of literature with other
areas of human experience. Comparative literature offers students the opportunity to study a broad range of
literary subjects from various cultures throughout the world. The Comparatist with their critical approach and investigations will find out,
the similarities and dissimilarities among various works that he has undertaken for the purpose of comparison and justification lies in the fact that his approach must be
unbiased and unprejudiced to reach the ultimate truth. It is only their earnest and sincere approach which will bring forth the naked truth or
natural results and this really is the purpose of comparative study. If taken historically, comparative literature has been a result of a reaction
against the narrow nationalism of the 19th century scholarship in England. Though it was an occasional tradition, the comparative study of literary works was in vogue,
right from the beginning of the Christian era. Romans were the pioneers in the field of comparative study. They out did the Greeks in the development of comparative
10 study. The Romans worked out the tradition of comparing the works of great orators
and poets of Greek and Roman and found out many similarities among their studies of literary works.
The comparative study is not different from a critical approach of a particular literature except the fact that here we deal with two or more than two literatures side
by side. In this way, the subject matter becomes vaster and perspective wider. Boundaries of comparative literature have to be extended to encompass the entirety
of human life and experiences in ones embrace.
2.4 Motifs
