Renaissance – means rebirth …in this case a rebirth of art and learning.
Theatre of The Renaissance (1400-1650). Renaissance = meaning “rebirth”
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Transcript of Theatre of The Renaissance (1400-1650). Renaissance = meaning “rebirth”
Theatre of The Renaissance(1400-1650)
Renaissance= meaning “rebirth”
Renaissance in Italy Not the best playwriting. Mostly influenced by Greek Theatre
Intermezzi and Pastorals Intermezzi
Short plays depicting mythological tales. Presented between acts of full-length plays
Usually comedies. Thematically related to the full length play they
accompanied. Developed out of popular court entertainments. Often more popular than their accompanied
plays. Disappeared in the 1600s.
Intermezzi and Pastorals Pastorals
Imitated Greek satyr plays Subject matter: Romance Characters: Shepherds and mythological creatures
who inhabit the forests and countryside. Unlike satyr plays, pastorals were not as perverted
and bawdy in style. Usually deal with lovers being threatened and
often at odds with each other. Although the action is serious, always a happy
ending.
Opera Quite dramatic Could be considered a form of drama,
but is usually studied as a form of music.
Completely sung. Spoken text of opera is called the
libretto. Secondary to music
Stories of opera moved from myth to history to contemporary fiction.
Commedia dell’arte Italian for, “play of professional artists”. Usually consisted of ten performers
Seven men Three women
Primarily staged comedies Thrived between 1550 to 1750
Lasted longer than Renaissance period. No written script.
All improvised dialogue
Commedia dell’arte Scenarios provided plot outlines
Over 1000 still survive. Commedia actors played the same stock
characters most of their careers. Costuming also facilitated improvisation Commedia characters all wore traditional
costumes Harlequin’s patchwork jacket Dottore’s academic robes
This helped audiences recognize characters
Renaissance in England Under Henry VII and Henry VIII, interludes were
present at court or house of nobility. Interludes- brief dramatic entertainments written
and staged by professionals. School Drama became popular
Plays written and presented at schools and colleges. Not for the general public
Reflect Greek and Roman influence Later cited for development of boys’ acting
companies.
Play wrights who provided boys’ companies with scripts were members of a group called University Wits. Members included:
Christopher Marlowe Thomas Kyd John Lyly Robert Greene
Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) Son of a Canterbury shoemaker Attended Corpus Christi College
By the time he graduated as an undergrad he was already a secret agent
First drama he wrote alone: Tamburlaine the Great (1587)
Queen’s council ordered to arrest Marlowe Charged with atheism
Was stabbed to death before arrest In a brawl with Ingram Frizer
Marlowe’s writing Focused on dramatic poetry Used iambic pentameter
Has 5 beats 2 syllables to each beat Accent on the second beat
Acting Companies Three categories of personnel
Shareholders Hired men or Hirelings Apprentices
Shareholders The elite members of the companies Bought a percentage of ownership in the
company Received a percentage of the profits Were the main actors of the companies.
Hirelings Contracted for a specific period of time
and for a specific salary Played mainly small roles
Apprentices Young performers training for the profession Were assigned shareholders Received room, board, training and
experience in hopes of becoming a shareholder.
Often young boy apprentices were used to play women Made them more significant to the company
than hired men.
Women Actors Not allowed Debate over reasons Most believe it was a continuation of the
religious attitude of the Medieval period. Actresses were little better than
prostitutes However, women actors were allowed in
Italy for commedia dell’arte