An analysis of the treatment of handicapped characters in dramatic literature may contribute to our knowledge of the historical treatment of and attitude toward handicapped persons in society. In this paper dramatic works that incorporate handicapped characters, from the time of the ancient Greeks to modern Broadway productions (approximately 2500 years) are reviewed. Included is a brief discussion of latter-day trends, the effect that the presentation of handicapped characters might have on theatre audiences, and the possible future of handicapped characters on stage.
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