* Ancient Origins: Drama has existed for thousands of years. Ancient Greek plays, like those by Sophocles and Euripides, are widely considered masterpieces. But even before them, there were religious rituals and performances in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia that could be considered precursors to theater.
* Defining "Great": "Greatness" is subjective. What one person finds impactful or inspiring, another might not. There are numerous criteria for evaluating plays: themes, language, character development, impact on history, etc.
* Lost Plays: Many ancient plays have been lost to time. We can only speculate about their quality.
Some potential candidates for "first great play" based on historical significance and impact:
* Thespis: Thespis is often credited with being the first Greek playwright to introduce a single actor who interacted directly with the chorus. This was a significant step in the development of Western drama.
* Aeschylus: Aeschylus is known for his tragedies, including "The Persians," which is considered the first surviving play of Western theater.
* Sophocles: Sophocles wrote enduring tragedies like "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone," which continue to be studied and performed today.
Ultimately, deciding on a "first great play" is a matter of individual interpretation and perspective. There are many influential plays that deserve recognition for their groundbreaking contributions to the art form.