~ Wade Hahn Garrett Knoll Madelyn Foley She’s Cute Don’t say anything and maybe he’ll go away.

Ciao (Hello), My name is Dante Alighieri and I lived in Italy. Since this is the Italian Renaissance and I died before that, I will be your guide. Follow me.

The Renaissance 1330 – 1550 A.D. Began in Florence, Italy “Renaissance” – “rebirth” A time of fascination with philosophy, literature, art, and science. A time of Humanists Humanists were people devoted to the humanities: literary culture, the revival of classical letters, individualistic and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns. That’s Cool.

O.K., I’m ready for the show. Humanists were considered the founders of the Renaissance. They studied the areas that were known as studia humanitatis. The studia humanitatis was made up of 5 disciplines; grammar, rhetoric, history, literary studies and moral philosophy.

Literally means “ Comedy of the Artists” Style of comedy based on improvised scenes guided by scenarios. Plays contained lots of risky humor and slapstick. These plays were meant purely for amusement. The actors were acrobats, dancers, and musicians.

A c h a r a c t e r t h a t i s r e u s e d i n o t h e r s h o w s. H a d u n i q u e a n d r e c o g n i z a b l e m a s k s, c o s t u m e s, s t a t u r e, w a l k, a n d m a n n e r i s m s.

Often a servant to Pantalone, Capitano, or Dottore Always trying to trick master, but always fails Commedia dell ‘Arte’s Bart Simpson Arlecchino

Rich, old man Puts money and social class above everything else Lusts after women he can never get. Pantalone

Doctor Knows absolutely nothing about medicine Rambles on so people wont know he is incompetent. Dottore

Macho man Arrogant, huge ego, always bragging Coward at heart Capitano

Columbina Female Clever Servant She was often the only functional intellect on the stage. Columbina aided her mistress, the innamorata to gain the affections of her one true love innamorata

Innamorati Unmasked characters representing young lovers. Incapable of resolving their own problems.

Costumes were unique to the stock character. Colors reflected emotional state. Quality of costume style reflected the social status of the character.

E v e r y s t o c k c h a r a c t e r h a d a u n i q u e m a s k. M a d e o f m o s t l y w o o d. ( S o m e t i m e s f u r, c l o t h, o r f e a t h e r s f o r e x t r a c h a r a c t e r ).

Outside in town piazzas. Carried stage, costumes, props, equipment, etc. on horse-drawn carts. Stages were about 2 meters tall. Room under stage served as changing area. Good troupes performed at stationary theaters like Palladio's theatre in Vicenza or the Petit Bourbon.

Most plays were based on scenarios and then improvised. Few full-length plays written. Niccoló Machiavelli Wrote Mandragola

Since most plays were improvised, directors weren’t really used. Actors never became independently famous. Many joined acting troupes known as “Commedia Troupes”.

Improvisational games and activities Words like zany Many ‘Simpsons’ characters are influenced by stock characters. Zanni = Homer, Pantalone = Mr. Burns, Arlecchino = Bart

1. What is the literal definition of “Commedia dell ‘Arte” ? a)Comedy of the Actors b)Comedy of the Artists c)Comedy of MEANVILLE!!! d)Comedy of Architects 2. What was a stock character? a)Reusable character in many plays. b)Character made of a stalk of corn. c)Character from MEANVILLE!!! d)A bad actor. 3. What do the colors represent on costumes? a)Setting b)Emotion/Mood c)City colors of MEANVILLE!!! d)Royalty 4. What was the area under the transportable stages used for? a)Changing costumes b)Crying about forgotten lines c)Looking at pictures of MEANVILLE!!! d)Ticket selling 5. What play did Niccoló Machiavelli write? a)The Fabulous Story of Me b)Mandragola c)A History of MEANVILLE!!! d)Italy, Oh Italy, Where For Art Thou Italy

Powerpoint by: Wade Hahn Research by: Madelyn Foley Research by: Garrett Knoll