Theatre History from the Theatre History from the Middle Ages to the English Middle Ages to the English

RenaissanceRenaissance

Ms. Aixa B. RodriguezMs. Aixa B. RodriguezHigh School for World CulturesHigh School for World Cultures

Art in Literature Class, Fall 2009Art in Literature Class, Fall 2009

References• Prince, Nancy & Jackson, Jeanie. Prince, Nancy & Jackson, Jeanie. Exploring Exploring

TheatreTheatre. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009.. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009.• "William Shakespeare." "William Shakespeare." Wikipedia, The Free Wikipedia, The Free

EncyclopediaEncyclopedia. 13 Dec 2009, 15:45 UTC. 14 Dec 2009 . 13 Dec 2009, 15:45 UTC. 14 Dec 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Shakespeare&oldid=331444158>. title=William_Shakespeare&oldid=331444158>.

• "Commedia dell'arte." "Commedia dell'arte." Wikipedia, The Free Wikipedia, The Free EncyclopediaEncyclopedia. 11 Dec 2009, 18:15 UTC. 14 Dec 2009 . 11 Dec 2009, 18:15 UTC. 14 Dec 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commedia_dell%27arte&oldid=331125731>.title=Commedia_dell%27arte&oldid=331125731>.

What characterized the theater of What characterized the theater of the middle ages ?the middle ages ?

• 500- 1500 AD.500- 1500 AD.• Different than theatrical performances in Different than theatrical performances in

Rome.Rome.• No powerful monarch or government.No powerful monarch or government.• Church was in charge of most leadership.Church was in charge of most leadership.• Few people were literate .Few people were literate .• Theater used to communicate religious Theater used to communicate religious

messages to the general public.messages to the general public.• Plays told stories from the Bible.Plays told stories from the Bible.

How were the mystery plays How were the mystery plays performed?performed?

• Several stories were performed right after Several stories were performed right after each other in what was called a cycle.each other in what was called a cycle.– Ex. Wakefield cycle-32 plays back to backEx. Wakefield cycle-32 plays back to back– 1313thth the second shepherds play the second shepherds play

• Cycle plays also called Cycle plays also called mystery plays mystery plays as they as they focused on the mysterious nature of God’s focused on the mysterious nature of God’s power.power.

• From creation in Genesis to the last From creation in Genesis to the last judgment in Revelation.judgment in Revelation.

What were morality plays?What were morality plays?• Modifications introduced in the content led Modifications introduced in the content led

to to morality plays, morality plays, thosethose used to teach a moral used to teach a moral lesson using lesson using allegoricalallegorical or symbolic or symbolic characters.characters.

• One character called One character called everyman/or mankind everyman/or mankind would represent all mankind or a virtue would represent all mankind or a virtue such as greed/anger/mercy in which the such as greed/anger/mercy in which the character was tempted by evil but returned character was tempted by evil but returned to the side of good in the end.to the side of good in the end.

Elements of Drama- stagingElements of Drama- staging• Unlike the Greek amphitheaters and Roman Unlike the Greek amphitheaters and Roman

arenas these plays were put on in the church in arenas these plays were put on in the church in the church yard or in the street.the church yard or in the street.

• Settings could be Settings could be – a series of temporary hut like houses called a series of temporary hut like houses called mansions mansions

decorated to represent different localesdecorated to represent different locales– Even movable floats upon which the action was acted. Even movable floats upon which the action was acted.

• Audience followed action /scene changes based on Audience followed action /scene changes based on the mansion from which the actors entered. the mansion from which the actors entered.

The Italian Renaissance (late 1300’s-1600’s )The Italian Renaissance (late 1300’s-1600’s )

• Cultural center of Europe was Italy.Cultural center of Europe was Italy.• Renaissance means rebirthRenaissance means rebirth

– This theme reflected renewed interest in classics and Greece and Roman This theme reflected renewed interest in classics and Greece and Roman cultureculture

– Advancement in all Arts, Science and learning during this timeAdvancement in all Arts, Science and learning during this time• Theatre gets closer to our modern styles Theatre gets closer to our modern styles

• Merchants sponsored artistsMerchants sponsored artists– System of financial support was called System of financial support was called patronagepatronage

• Topics/subjects from the religious to human activity rather than Topics/subjects from the religious to human activity rather than divine.divine.

• A change in philosophy called A change in philosophy called humanism.humanism.

Neo-classical ideasNeo-classical ideas• Renaissance rules of writing drama Renaissance rules of writing drama

influences drama for 200 years. influences drama for 200 years. • Rules came from a mistaken understanding Rules came from a mistaken understanding

of what was meant by the rediscovered of what was meant by the rediscovered Greek & Roman playwrights (Aristotle).Greek & Roman playwrights (Aristotle).

• Renaissance writers created plays and copied Renaissance writers created plays and copied stories and themes from the Greek and stories and themes from the Greek and Roman plays.Roman plays.

• VerisimilitudeVerisimilitude- being true to life.- being true to life.

Ideals• Renaissance philosophy demanded all Renaissance philosophy demanded all

characters be recognizable and verifiable from characters be recognizable and verifiable from real lifereal life– Unity of time- Unity of time- action doesn’t over more than 24 hours action doesn’t over more than 24 hours

of time.of time.– Unity of place- Unity of place- all action takes place in one location.all action takes place in one location.– Unity of action- Unity of action- plot has only one story line (no plot has only one story line (no

subplots).subplots).• This wasn’t followed universally.This wasn’t followed universally.• Particularly and England and Spain, these ideals were Particularly and England and Spain, these ideals were

ignoredignored

What changed in terms of space and What changed in terms of space and styles of theatre decoration? styles of theatre decoration?

• 1. Visual arts had developed during this 1. Visual arts had developed during this time, having a major effect on imagery in time, having a major effect on imagery in theatretheatre– Illusion of depth /perspective painting.Illusion of depth /perspective painting.– Images were no longer flat.Images were no longer flat.– Architecture, theatre building changed.Architecture, theatre building changed.

What was the Proscenium arch?What was the Proscenium arch?• Proscenium arches or Proscenium arches or

picture from opening picture from opening around stage spaces around stage spaces

• Oldest example is in Oldest example is in Vicenza, Italy the Vicenza, Italy the Teatro Olimpico Teatro Olimpico completed 3000 people completed 3000 people stage has a permanent stage has a permanent facadefacade

• Doorways build into Doorways build into wall w/deep hallways wall w/deep hallways giving the illusion of giving the illusion of deep interior spaces.deep interior spaces.

Permanent facades were not flexible.

• Painted scenery could Painted scenery could be shifted to reveal be shifted to reveal new sets behind them.new sets behind them.

• Painted flats/canvases Painted flats/canvases allowed for changes.allowed for changes.

• 1st theater with 1st theater with proscenium stage was proscenium stage was Teatro Farnes Teatro Farnes in in Parma, Italy in 1618. Parma, Italy in 1618.

What changed when scenery was What changed when scenery was introduced?introduced?

• Multiple settings behind each other for Multiple settings behind each other for changes requires that there be more changes requires that there be more backstage space for scenery and backstage space for scenery and equipment.equipment.

• Renaissance stages therefore became Renaissance stages therefore became deeper.deeper.

What were the standard settings in these plays?

• Reuse of standard styles of settings Reuse of standard styles of settings – Tragedies (streets of a wealthy Tragedies (streets of a wealthy

neighborhood)neighborhood)– Comedies (streets of a lower-class Comedies (streets of a lower-class

homes)homes)– Pastoral plays Pastoral plays (Countryside cottages)(Countryside cottages)

What is What is Commedia dell’arteCommedia dell’arte? ? • A form of improvisational theater that A form of improvisational theater that

began during the renaissance in Italy.began during the renaissance in Italy.• Troupes of actors toured the Italian Troupes of actors toured the Italian

country-sides.country-sides.• They performed using stock characters. They performed using stock characters. • Dialogue was improvised following a Dialogue was improvised following a

basic outline there was no script.basic outline there was no script.

Who were the stock charactersWho were the stock characters in Commedia dell’arte? in Commedia dell’arte?

• Vecchio A category of aged, male characters members of this group are– Pantalone, – Il Dottore – Il Capitano. – The word means "old one" or

simply "old" in Italian.

• They are overwhelmingly the antagonists, opposing the love of the innamorati

Who were the stock charactersWho were the stock characters in Commedia dell’arte? in Commedia dell’arte?

• Arlechinno Arlechinno /Harlequin was a /Harlequin was a clever pranksterclever prankster

Who were the stock charactersWho were the stock characters in Commedia dell’arte? in Commedia dell’arte?

• Punchinello- was a malicious servantPunchinello- was a malicious servant• Innamorato, Inamorata- Young Innamorato, Inamorata- Young

hero/heroinehero/heroine• Fontesca-serving maidFontesca-serving maid• Zanni- male servantsZanni- male servants• All were identified by their half masks or All were identified by their half masks or

costumescostumes

Why is this important?Why is this important?• The stock characters of the Commedia dell’arte The stock characters of the Commedia dell’arte

influenced the archetypes used in other works. Taking influenced the archetypes used in other works. Taking Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as an example:Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as an example:– Nurse = FontescaNurse = Fontesca– Friar Lawrence, Balthazar, Benvolio = ZanniFriar Lawrence, Balthazar, Benvolio = Zanni– Mercutio= Archelinno/HarlequinMercutio= Archelinno/Harlequin– Tybalt=PunchinelloTybalt=Punchinello– Capulet= Vecchio- Il PantaloneCapulet= Vecchio- Il Pantalone– Paris= Vecchio- Il CapitanoParis= Vecchio- Il Capitano– Romeo and Juliet= InamoratiRomeo and Juliet= Inamorati

What was different in Elizabethan What was different in Elizabethan England?England?

• Powerful English Ruler Queen Elizabeth IPowerful English Ruler Queen Elizabeth I– ruled for 45 years, 1588-1603ruled for 45 years, 1588-1603– language literature and the arts flourished due language literature and the arts flourished due

to her patronage. to her patronage. • Acting changed from amateur to professional statusActing changed from amateur to professional status• Playwrights now had a stable experienced group of Playwrights now had a stable experienced group of

performers for whom to write more detailed and performers for whom to write more detailed and complicated plays.complicated plays.

• Permanent theatres builtPermanent theatres built• All classes could attend performancesAll classes could attend performances

What was theatre-going like in What was theatre-going like in Elizabethan England?Elizabethan England?

• Previous policy by church viewed all non-Previous policy by church viewed all non-religious theater as evil.religious theater as evil.

• City of London didn’t permit theatre City of London didn’t permit theatre buildings to be erected inside the city limits.buildings to be erected inside the city limits.

• Theatres were then built across the Thames Theatres were then built across the Thames river in a suburb of London.river in a suburb of London.

• Audience members had to take ferry boats to Audience members had to take ferry boats to see the play.see the play.

Flags flying atop a theatreFlags flying atop a theatre• Signified a play was being Signified a play was being

givengiven– White= comedyWhite= comedy– Black= tragedyBlack= tragedy– Red= HistoryRed= History

The Globe theatre where Shakespeare’s plays were presentedThe Globe theatre where Shakespeare’s plays were presented• Elizabethan theatres Elizabethan theatres

were circular or were circular or octagonal structures of octagonal structures of three stories with an three stories with an open roofopen roof

• Theater had a raised Theater had a raised platform stage that platform stage that would be surrounded would be surrounded by the audience on the by the audience on the three sidesthree sides

It was closer to a contemporary thrust It was closer to a contemporary thrust stage than a proscenium arch stage being stage than a proscenium arch stage being

used in Italy at the same time used in Italy at the same time

How did plays in England differ How did plays in England differ from those in Italy at the same time from those in Italy at the same time

in history?in history?• No neoclassical ideals.No neoclassical ideals.• Dramas structured in a series of scenes. Dramas structured in a series of scenes. • Changes of location.Changes of location.• This influence the use of stage space in England .This influence the use of stage space in England .• Little use of scenery,Little use of scenery,

– entrances and exits signified a change of sceneentrances and exits signified a change of scene– A piece of furniture suggested the location of the next A piece of furniture suggested the location of the next

scentscent– Characters would speak/announce the change of location Characters would speak/announce the change of location

called called “spoken décor”“spoken décor”

Noted feature of Elizabethan Noted feature of Elizabethan DramaDrama

• Use of poetry Use of poetry • Iambic pentameterIambic pentameter• 2 syllables to each beat, 5 beats per line2 syllables to each beat, 5 beats per line• 10 syllables in each line, stress put on the 210 syllables in each line, stress put on the 2ndnd

beatbeat• SonnetsSonnets• William Shakespeare considered the most William Shakespeare considered the most

important playwright during this periodimportant playwright during this period

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare• ““All the world’s a stage and all the men and All the world’s a stage and all the men and

women meerely players; they have their women meerely players; they have their exits and entrances; and one man in his exits and entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages”ages”

--As you like it -As you like it -William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

• Awareness of human natureAwareness of human nature

Biographical InfoBiographical Info• b. 1564 in Stratford upon Avon to John b. 1564 in Stratford upon Avon to John

and Mary Shakespeare 1 of 8 children. and Mary Shakespeare 1 of 8 children. • Married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway Married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway

– Has three children Susanna, Hamnet and Has three children Susanna, Hamnet and Judith.Judith.

• 1587- left to go to London,1587- left to go to London,– member of Lord Chamberlain's men member of Lord Chamberlain's men – became a shareholder in the companybecame a shareholder in the company– helped finance/part owner of the Globe helped finance/part owner of the Globe

theatretheatre• 1613 Globe theatre burned down1613 Globe theatre burned down

– Shakespeare retired to Stratford Shakespeare retired to Stratford • d. 1616 @ age 52d. 1616 @ age 52

What was Shakespeare’s body of What was Shakespeare’s body of work?work?

• 154 sonnets154 sonnets• 38 plays ? 38 plays ? • (There is some argument here)(There is some argument here)

– Tragedies/Comedies/Histories/FantasiesTragedies/Comedies/Histories/Fantasies– ApocryphaApocrypha– Lost PlaysLost Plays

List of playsList of playsComediesComedies• All's Well That Ends WellAll's Well That Ends Well• As You Like ItAs You Like It • The Comedy of ErrorsThe Comedy of Errors • Love's Labour's LostLove's Labour's Lost • Measure for MeasureMeasure for Measure• The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice • The Merry Wives of WindsorThe Merry Wives of Windsor • A Midsummer Night's DreamA Midsummer Night's Dream • Much Ado About NothingMuch Ado About Nothing • Pericles, Prince of TyrePericles, Prince of Tyre• The Taming of the ShrewThe Taming of the Shrew • The TempestThe Tempest• Twelfth NightTwelfth Night • The Two Gentlemen of VeronaThe Two Gentlemen of Verona • The Two Noble KinsmenThe Two Noble Kinsmen • The Winter's TaleThe Winter's Tale

Tragedies Tragedies • Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet • CoriolanusCoriolanus • Titus AndronicusTitus Andronicus• Timon of AthensTimon of Athens • Julius CaesarJulius Caesar • MacbethMacbeth• HamletHamlet • Troilus and CressidaTroilus and Cressida • King LearKing Lear • OthelloOthello • Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra • CymbelineCymbeline

Histories•King John, Richard II, •Henry IV part 1, Henry IV part 2, •Henry V, Henry VI part 1, Henry VI part 2, Henry VI part 3, •Richard III, Henry VIII

Other Works attributed to Other Works attributed to ShakespeareShakespeare

Poems Poems • Shakespeare's SonnetsShakespeare's Sonnets • Venus and AdonisVenus and Adonis • The Rape of LucreceThe Rape of Lucrece • The Passionate PilgrimThe Passionate Pilgrim • The Phoenix and the TurtleThe Phoenix and the Turtle • A Lover's ComplaintA Lover's Complaint

Lost plays Lost plays • Love's Labour's WonLove's Labour's Won • CardenioCardenio† †

Apocrypha Apocrypha • Arden of FavershamArden of Faversham • The Birth of MerlinThe Birth of Merlin • LocrineLocrine • The London ProdigalThe London Prodigal • The PuritanThe Puritan • The Second Maiden's TragedyThe Second Maiden's Tragedy • Sir John OldcastleSir John Oldcastle • Thomas Lord CromwellThomas Lord Cromwell • A Yorkshire TragedyA Yorkshire Tragedy • Edward IIIEdward III • Sir Thomas MoreSir Thomas More

ControversiesControversies• Did Shakespeare really write all the plays Did Shakespeare really write all the plays

attributed to him ?attributed to him ?– It is accepted that he had borrowed stories from It is accepted that he had borrowed stories from

source history but made them his own/source history but made them his own/• Shakespeare wrote sonnets to both a man, his Shakespeare wrote sonnets to both a man, his

patron, and a mysterious Dark Lady.patron, and a mysterious Dark Lady.• Was Shakespeare’s identity lifted by a group of Was Shakespeare’s identity lifted by a group of

collaborators? Or one person who’s status would be collaborators? Or one person who’s status would be jeopardized?jeopardized?