William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Johnson are names that have resonated throughout the centuries. Not since ancient Athens had there been such a glut of talent, capable of producing stories for centuries. Could Athens be where these Englishmen found their inspiration? Greece has produced its share of legendary playwrights; Sophocles and Euripides are two of the most famous. There are many lands in Elizabethan England that were the birthplace of some of the most famous names in theatre. In addition to the similarities between Elizabethan and Greek theatre, there are differences. The influence of both eras is felt even today, theatrical productions of Shakespeare and Euripides are performed from London, Broadway and everywhere in between. I believe that both eras influenced modern theater simply because the Greek era influenced Elizabethan theater so clearly. The name most associated with excellence in theater is William Shakespeare. His works, more than any other playwright, resonate across the centuries. It is safe to say that he influenced more actors, directors and playwrights than any other actor in the history of the theater. But what were his influences? During the Middle Ages, theater was dominated by morality plays, miracles, and mysteries that were often performed by the church as a means of teaching the illiterate masses about Christianity. It was not until the early 16th century that Greek tragedy experienced a revival, in turn inspiring a generation of Renaissance playwrights. Greek and Elizabethan theatre, although similar in some respects, had some major differences. The Greeks believed in a certain thematic unity, which prevailed throughout the production. Greek works were often drawn from myth or had historical significance, so it seems that only ki...... center of paper ... stagnate means to die. I think it's an unfair question to ask which era was more influential. Instead, we should ask ourselves how each era has influenced the modern era. Without either era, theater today would be a very different arena. Speaking from a personal point of view, however, I would have to say that the Elizabethan era has meant the most to me over the years. William Shakespeare, Kit Marlowe and Thomas Middleton have all had an effect on the way I write, how I tell a story. While language may have changed, the fact that we look into our hearts in an attempt to find the truth behind our existence has not. And even if we don't always succeed, it makes the world a little brighter, to have those moments when someone can tell you a story that fascinates you so much that it allows you to leave the mundane world behind for a while and drift into a world of imagination..