Levels of presence in the drama text: Between close and distant reading¹

Digital studies of drama have tended to emphasise the written text and network analyses. As theatre scholars, we approached field from a different perspective by focusing on levels presence. This includes embodied presence not only speaking characters, but also non-speaking characters imagined mentioned present stage. in turn another presence, namely that audience, which actively engages with performance gives these characters. We implicit performance, spatiality play maintenance temporal dramaturgical structure. The study is based 37 plays Danish-Norwegian playwright Ludvig Holberg (1684–1754), published during period 1723–1754. Holberg's comedies were heavily influenced Italian commedia dell'arte stock or masks, central his plays. In this article, discuss question how can analyse texts via digital analysis, both historical point view. Our article points number potentials as well shortcomings analysis necessary synergy close distant reading.