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A Defence Of The Stage, Or An Inquiry Into The Real Qualities Of Theatrical Entertainments - Softcover

John William Cole

 
9780461742268: A Defence Of The Stage, Or An Inquiry Into The Real Qualities Of Theatrical Entertainments

Synopsis

A Defence Of The Stage, Or An Inquiry Into The Real Qualities Of Theatrical Entertainments, Their Scope And Tendency. Being A Reply To A Sermon Entitled 'The Evil Of Theatrical Amusements, Stated And Illustrated,' Lately Published In Dublin, And Preached In The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel In Lower Abbey-street, On Sunday, November 4th, 1838, By The Rev. Dr. John B. Bennett. The work by John William Cole assembles a broad range of authorities from classical, religious, and literary sources to re-evaluate the moral character and social value of the drama. Cole argues for a middle course between total condemnation and uncritical celebration, insisting that institutions, like theatre, may contain both virtue and vice, and that their influence depends on regulation and context. He surveys Greek and Roman theatre, English drama, and historical examples across centuries, contending that regulated stage going can educate and civilize, promote virtue, and accompany religious and intellectual life. He emphasizes moderation, historical nuance, and the limits of scriptural prohibition, aiming to reconcile faith with a humane culture of entertainment. It also urges readers to examine evidence fairly (audi alteram partem) and to balance opposing authorities in forming judgment about theatre's moral scope.

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