Symbolism:

Symbolism originated with a group of French poets in the 1870's, the most prominent members of the group being Mallarme, Verlaine, and Rimbaud. These poets believed that the deepest truths of existence could not be directly expressed but must be indirectly conveyed by symbol, myth, and mood. Twenty years later, Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlick introduced symbolist ideas to the theater with Les aveugles (The blind). Though the symbolist movement did not last long in its original manifestation, it was destined to play a major part in the formation of modern drama as it influenced the works of Strindberg and Yeats. Many modern and contemporary dramatists, directors, and designers have created stunning productions using aspects of symbolist theater such as fantasy, atmosphere, and mood.

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