Theater history powerpoint

1. Theatre History from theTheatre History from the
Middle Ages to the EnglishMiddle Ages to the English
RenaissanceRenaissance
Ms. Aixa B. RodriguezMs. Aixa B. Rodriguez
High School for World CulturesHigh School for World Cultures
Art in Literature Class, Fall 2009Art in Literature Class, Fall 2009

2. References
• Prince, Nancy & Jackson, Jeanie.Prince, Nancy & Jackson, Jeanie. ExploringExploring
TheatreTheatre. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009.. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009.
• "William Shakespeare.""William Shakespeare." Wikipedia, The FreeWikipedia, 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 FreeWikipedia, 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>.

3. What characterized the theater ofWhat characterized the theater of
the middle ages ?the middle ages ?
• 500- 1500 AD.500- 1500 AD.
• Different than theatrical performances inDifferent 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 religiousTheater 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.

4. How were the mystery playsHow were the mystery plays
performed?performed?
• Several stories were performed right afterSeveral 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 playthe second shepherds play
• Cycle plays also calledCycle plays also called mystery playsmystery plays as theyas they
focused on the mysterious nature of God’sfocused on the mysterious nature of God’s
power.power.
• From creation in Genesis to the lastFrom creation in Genesis to the last
judgment in Revelation.judgment in Revelation.

5. What were morality plays?What were morality plays?
• Modifications introduced in the content ledModifications introduced in the content led
toto morality plays,morality plays, thosethose used to teach a moralused to teach a moral
lesson usinglesson using allegoricalallegorical or symbolicor symbolic
characters.characters.
• One character calledOne character called everyman/or mankindeveryman/or mankind
would represent all mankind or a virtuewould represent all mankind or a virtue
such as greed/anger/mercy in which thesuch as greed/anger/mercy in which the
character was tempted by evil but returnedcharacter was tempted by evil but returned
to the side of good in the end.to the side of good in the end.

6. Elements of Drama- stagingElements of Drama- staging
• Unlike the Greek amphitheaters and RomanUnlike the Greek amphitheaters and Roman
arenas these plays were put on in the church inarenas 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 beSettings could be
– a series of temporary hut like houses calleda series of temporary hut like houses called mansionsmansions
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 onAudience followed action /scene changes based on
the mansion from which the actors entered.the mansion from which the actors entered.

7. 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 andThis theme reflected renewed interest in classics and Greece and
Roman cultureRoman culture
– 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 stylesTheatre gets closer to our modern styles
• Merchants sponsored artistsMerchants sponsored artists
– System of financial support was calledSystem of financial support was called patronagepatronage
• Topics/subjects from the religious to human activity rather thanTopics/subjects from the religious to human activity rather than
divine.divine.
• A change in philosophy calledA change in philosophy called humanism.humanism.

8. Neo-classical ideasNeo-classical ideas
• Renaissance rules of writing dramaRenaissance rules of writing drama
influences drama for 200 years.influences drama for 200 years.
• Rules came from a mistaken understandingRules came from a mistaken understanding
of what was meant by the rediscoveredof what was meant by the rediscovered
Greek & Roman playwrights (Aristotle).Greek & Roman playwrights (Aristotle).
• Renaissance writers created plays and copiedRenaissance writers created plays and copied
stories and themes from the Greek andstories and themes from the Greek and
Roman plays.Roman plays.
• VerisimilitudeVerisimilitude- being true to life.- being true to life.

9. Ideals
• Renaissance philosophy demanded allRenaissance philosophy demanded all
characters be recognizable and verifiable fromcharacters be recognizable and verifiable from
real lifereal life
– Unity of time-Unity of time- action doesn’t over more than 24 hoursaction 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 (noplot 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 wereParticularly and England and Spain, these ideals were
ignoredignored

10. What changed in terms of space andWhat changed in terms of space and
styles of theatre decoration?styles of theatre decoration?
• 1. Visual arts had developed during this1. Visual arts had developed during this
time, having a major effect on imagery intime, 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.

11. What was the Proscenium arch?What was the Proscenium arch?
• Proscenium arches orProscenium arches or
picture from openingpicture from opening
around stage spacesaround stage spaces
• Oldest example is inOldest example is in
Vicenza, Italy theVicenza, Italy the
Teatro OlimpicoTeatro Olimpico
completed 3000 peoplecompleted 3000 people
stage has a permanentstage has a permanent
facadefacade
• Doorways build intoDoorways build into
wall w/deep hallwayswall w/deep hallways
giving the illusion ofgiving the illusion of
deep interior spaces.deep interior spaces.

12. Permanent facades were not
flexible.• Painted sceneryPainted scenery
could be shifted tocould be shifted to
reveal new setsreveal new sets
behind them.behind them.
• PaintedPainted
flats/canvasesflats/canvases
allowed for changes.allowed for changes.
• 1st theater with1st theater with
proscenium stageproscenium stage
waswas Teatro FarnesTeatro Farnes inin
Parma, Italy in 1618.Parma, Italy in 1618.

13. What changed when scenery wasWhat changed when scenery was
introduced?introduced?
• Multiple settings behind each other forMultiple settings behind each other for
changes requires that there be morechanges requires that there be more
backstage space for scenery andbackstage space for scenery and
equipment.equipment.
• Renaissance stages therefore becameRenaissance stages therefore became
deeper.deeper.

14. What were the standard settings
in these plays?
• Reuse of standard styles of settingsReuse of standard styles of settings
– Tragedies (streets of a wealthyTragedies (streets of a wealthy
neighborhood)neighborhood)
– Comedies (streets of a lower-classComedies (streets of a lower-class
homes)homes)
– Pastoral playsPastoral plays (Countryside cottages)(Countryside cottages)

15. What isWhat is Commedia dell’arteCommedia dell’arte??
• A form of improvisational theater thatA form of improvisational theater that
began during the renaissance in Italy.began during the renaissance in Italy.
• Troupes of actors toured the ItalianTroupes of actors toured the Italian
country-sides.country-sides.
• They performed using stock characters.They performed using stock characters.
• Dialogue was improvised following aDialogue was improvised following a
basic outline there was no script.basic outline there was no script.

16. 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

17. Who were the stock charactersWho were the stock characters
in Commedia dell’arte?in Commedia dell’arte?
• ArlechinnoArlechinno
/Harlequin was a/Harlequin was a
clever pranksterclever prankster

18. 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- YoungInnamorato, Inamorata- Young
hero/heroinehero/heroine
• Fontesca-serving maidFontesca-serving maid
• Zanni- male servantsZanni- male servants
• All were identified by their half masks orAll were identified by their half masks or
costumescostumes

19. Why is this important?Why is this important?
• The stock characters of the CommediaThe stock characters of the Commedia
dell’arte influenced the archetypes used indell’arte influenced the archetypes used in
other works. Taking Shakespeare’sother works. Taking Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet as an example: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

20. What was different in ElizabethanWhat 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 duelanguage 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 ofPlaywrights now had a stable experienced group of
performers for whom to write more detailed andperformers 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

21. What was theatre-going like inWhat 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 theatreCity 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 ThamesTheatres 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 toAudience members had to take ferry boats to
see the play.see the play.

22. Flags flying atop a theatreFlags flying atop a theatre
• Signified a play was beingSignified a play was being
givengiven
– White= comedyWhite= comedy
– Black= tragedyBlack= tragedy
– Red= HistoryRed= History

23. The Globe theatre where Shakespeare’s plays were presentedThe Globe theatre where Shakespeare’s plays were presented
• Elizabethan theatresElizabethan theatres
were circular orwere circular or
octagonal structures ofoctagonal structures of
three stories with anthree stories with an
open roofopen roof
• Theater had a raisedTheater had a raised
platform stage thatplatform stage that
would be surroundedwould be surrounded
by the audience on theby the audience on the
three sidesthree sides

24. It was closer to a contemporary thrustIt was closer to a contemporary thrust
stage than a proscenium arch stage beingstage than a proscenium arch stage being
used in Italy at the same timeused in Italy at the same time

25. How did plays in England differHow did plays in England differ
from those in Italy at the same timefrom 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 nextA piece of furniture suggested the location of the next
scentscent
– Characters would speak/announce the change of locationCharacters would speak/announce the change of location
calledcalled “spoken décor”“spoken décor”

26. Noted feature of ElizabethanNoted feature of Elizabethan
DramaDrama
• Use of poetryUse 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 mostWilliam Shakespeare considered the most
important playwright during this periodimportant playwright during this period

27. William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
• ““All the world’s a stage and all the men andAll the world’s a stage and all the men and
women meerely players; they have theirwomen meerely players; they have their
exits and entrances; and one man in hisexits and entrances; and one man in his
time plays many parts, his acts being seventime 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

28. Biographical InfoBiographical Info
• b. 1564 in Stratford upon Avon to Johnb. 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 HathawayMarried in 1582 to Anne Hathaway
– Has three children Susanna, Hamnet andHas three children Susanna, Hamnet and
Judith.Judith.
• 1587- left to go to London,1587- left to go to London,
– member of Lord Chamberlain's menmember of Lord Chamberlain's men
– became a shareholder in the companybecame a shareholder in the company
– helped finance/part owner of the Globehelped finance/part owner of the Globe
theatretheatre
• 1613 Globe theatre burned down1613 Globe theatre burned down
– Shakespeare retired to StratfordShakespeare retired to Stratford
• d. 1616 @ age 52d. 1616 @ age 52

29. What was Shakespeare’s body ofWhat 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

30. 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
TragediesTragedies
• 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

31. Other Works attributed toOther Works attributed to
ShakespeareShakespeare
PoemsPoems
• 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 playsLost plays
• Love's Labour's WonLove's Labour's Won
• CardenioCardenio††
ApocryphaApocrypha
• 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

32. ControversiesControversies
• Did Shakespeare really write all the playsDid Shakespeare really write all the plays
attributed to him ?attributed to him ?
– It is accepted that he had borrowed storiesIt is accepted that he had borrowed stories
from source history but made them his own/from source history but made them his own/
• Shakespeare wrote sonnets to both a man,Shakespeare wrote sonnets to both a man,
his patron, and a mysterious Dark Lady.his patron, and a mysterious Dark Lady.
• Was Shakespeare’s identity lifted by a group ofWas Shakespeare’s identity lifted by a group of
collaborators? Or one person who’s statuscollaborators? Or one person who’s status
would be jeopardized?would be jeopardized?