Complete any necessary research and write an essay on the following subjects.

1		Examine the influences, such as Freud, Darwin and philosophical changes that changed the subject matter of theatre from plays dealing with aristocrats and royalty to stories about husbands, wives and families.
2		Compare and contrast the plays of expressionism, absurdism and theatricalism. What ideas are similar? How do they differ?
3		Artaud insists we have no more masterpieces and that theatre is like the plague. Discuss your response to this idea. Can it work in today's theatre? Has anyone tried his ideas? Were they successful?
4		Discuss Pirandello's concept of illusion versus reality in Six Characters in Search of an Author. How is this idea expressed in other playwright's work such as Sartre (No Exit), Beckett (Waiting for Godot) Albee (The American Dream) and Pinter (The Birthday Party)?