Final answer:
Henrik Ibsen is recognized as the playwright whose works foreshadowed modern drama, with his groundbreaking play 'A Doll's House' and other works that focused on realism, everyday language, and social issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The playwright whose plays foreshadowed modern drama and can be considered a precursor to the modern play is Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen was a revolutionary figure in the field of drama, often referenced as the father of modern realistic drama. He challenged the traditional structure of the day by focusing on everyday life and social issues, acknowledging that the characters and their personal dilemmas were influenced by their environment. In plays like A Doll's House, Ibsen portrayed a female protagonist in a male-dominated society, grappling with the expectations and confines of her role, ultimately making a groundbreaking decision to leave her husband and children, sparking widespread controversy and discussions on the role of women in society.
Furthermore, Ibsen's characters speak in plain language, discarding the asides and soliloquies that were common in plays of earlier periods. His scripts dealt with socially uncomfortable issues such as women's rights, venereal diseases, and the hypocrisy of society, breaking away from the classical tragedy's focus on nobility and instead presenting ordinary people in extraordinary situations. This reshape of theatrical narrative set a precedent for future playwrights and has influenced the portrayal of realistic issues in contemporary theatre.