Actors of the Ottoman Stage & Walk-Ons of Dramatic Texts: Representation of Non-Muslim Ottomans in the Western-Style Drama

Abstract

This study analyzes the reasons why representations of non-Muslim Ottomans are so scarce in the works of playwrights who tried to imbue literature with a “national” character, despite the fact that non-Muslims were pioneers in the adoption of Western-style theater in the Ottoman Empire. This paper discusses the representation of non-Muslim Ottomans within the context of the economic and political changes in the Ottoman Empire, focusing on plays that were not adapted from Western literary works and plays written in Turkish by the Ottoman writers. It is argued that the sense of “us” and “them” originated from a nationalist sentiment which intensified during the 19th century in the Ottoman Empire and economic changes which benefited non-Muslims. These factors are what determined the representation of non-Muslim Ottoman characters. It is maintained that an idea of “us” is dominant in the plays written in this period, as non-Muslim elements which mark either the religious or ethnic identity of characters are not included at all, or are conditionally included.