14. According to the passage, most playwrights did not publish their plays before 1856 because they
Answer: C
Most playwrights did not publish their plays before 1856 because they feared that publication would make their plays targets for unauthorized staging.
Playwrights were reluctant to publish their works prior to 1856 due to concerns that publication would expose their plays to unauthorized performances. This fear stemmed from the fact that before the amendments, published playscripts lacked protection against performance piracy.
A) were discouraged by law from writing new plays before the passage of the 1856 amendments
This option is incorrect as the passage does not suggest that there was any legal discouragement from writing new plays. Instead, the focus is on the lack of protection for published plays, rather than any prohibition against the creation of new works.
B) were explicitly forbidden by statute to offer their published plays for sale to the public
This statement is also incorrect. The text indicates that while there were no protections against unauthorized performances, there was no legal restriction preventing playwrights from selling their published plays. The concern was primarily about unauthorized staging.
C) feared that publication would make their plays targets for unauthorized staging
This option is correct as it directly aligns with the passage's explanation of playwrights' motivations. The fear of unauthorized performance motivated many playwrights to avoid publishing their works, as publication would expose them to potential piracy.
D) thought that people who read a playscript would be less likely to see the play
This choice is incorrect because the passage does not mention any belief among playwrights that reading a playscript would dissuade audiences from attending performances. The primary concern was about the risk of unauthorized staging.
E) knew that published playscripts were not protected from unauthorized duplication
While this statement reflects the reality of the situation, it does not capture the primary motivation for playwrights' decisions to refrain from publishing. The focus of the passage is on the fear of unauthorized performances rather than duplication.
Conclusion
The correct answer, C, clearly demonstrates the apprehension that playwrights felt regarding the exposure of their works to unauthorized performances if published. Other options fail to accurately reflect the key concerns addressed in the passage, which centers around the consequences of publication rather than legal restrictions or audience behavior.