Political theatre is drama or performance that emphasizes a political issue or issues in its theme or plot. Political theatre can also be defined as an exploration of themes more universal and central to society itself, especially when that society defines itself as politically conscious. The earliest Western dramas, arising out of the polis, or democratic city-state of Greek society, were political theatre in this sense. Performed in amphitheatres--central arenas used for theatrical performances, religious ceremonies and political gatherings--these dramas had a ritualistic and social significance that enhanced the relevance of the political issues being examined. And one must marvel at the open-minded examination of controversial and critical topics that took place right in the political heart of Athenian society, allowing a courageous self-examination of the first democracy trying to develop and refine itself further.

Shakespeare is an author of political theatre according to some academic scholars, who observe that his history plays examine the machinations of personal drives and passions determining political activity and that many of the tragedies such as King Lear and Macbeth dramatize political leadership and complexity subterfuges of human beings driven by the lust for power; for example, they observe that class struggle in the Roman Republic is central to Coriolanus. Jonathan Dollimore and Alan Sinfield, eds. Political Shakespeare: Essays in Cultural Materialism (Manchester, Eng.: Manchester UP, 1985), ISBN 0 7190 4352 2; John Drakakis, ed. Alternative Shakespeares, New Accents Ser. (New York and London: Routledge, 1985), ISBN 0 415 02528 1.