The Renaissance Theater p. 282-288

Drama as Teacher: The Forerunners Paragraph 1: According to medieval scholars, how did medieval drama evolve? Paragraph 2: What four cycles did the various workers’ guilds cooperate in staging? Gradually, what was incorporated into them? Paragraph 3: What types of plays were written and produced before the Renaissance? What is an interlude?

Old Traditions, New Theaters Paragraph 1: By the mid-sixteenth century, the art of drama in England was three centuries old but the idea of housing it in a permanent building was new. How, then, were the plays performed? Paragraph 2: Who is James Burbage? What were the names of his theaters?

The Globe: “This Wooden O” Paragraph 1: Why is the Globe the most famous of the public theaters? Paragraph 2: What are the three main parts of the Globe? Paragraph 3: Why did the Globe appear circular? What happened in 1613? Paragraph 4: What was the price of admission? What was its capacity? Why was the theater closed during plague epidemics?

Up Close and Personal How did every nuance of an actor’s performance affect the audience? What did the audience call the trapdoor in the stage? The ceiling?

Behind the Scenes Why was the third part of the theater refered to as the ‘tiring’? What did this wall contain?

The Power of Make Believe Why did Renaissance audiences take reality for granted? At times, how did the audience ‘see’ the scene?

Pomp and Pageantry Paragraph 1: How were the theaters ornate? Paragraph 2: What ‘processions’ did the audience also enjoy?

Music Most Eloquent Paragraph 1: What three things did the audience expect to experience at the theater? What did the trumpets announce? Paragraph 2: What was the purpose of the various songs (sad, happy, comic, thoughtful) which occur throughout the play? Paragraph 3: What happened to most of these songs? What influence have these songs have on present day Shakespearians?

Varying the Venue Paragraph 1: In what two other kinds of spaces did the acting company perform? Paragraph 2: What type of stage was used for performances in the great hall? What was the usual entertainment in the great hall? Paragraph 3: What is the Blackfriars?

Check Test: True-False The first public theater was built in the sixteenth century. Many of Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe Theater. The scenery in the Renaissance theater was elaborate and detailed, imitating reality precisely. Music was an important part of the performance of a Renaissance play. Blackfriars was a monastery where players went to pray before important performances.