The Renaissance and Elizabethan Theatre

The Early Renaissance The arts became an essential part of learning and literary culture. The arts became an essential part of learning and literary culture. For the first time, it seemed possible not merely to imitate the works of the classical world, but to surpass them. For the first time, it seemed possible not merely to imitate the works of the classical world, but to surpass them.

Theatre: The Early Renaissance The early Renaissance was almost exclusively a time of visual art and architecture. The early Renaissance was almost exclusively a time of visual art and architecture. Niccolo Machiavelli used the newly developed science of visual perspective to achieve amazing scenic accomplishments. Niccolo Machiavelli used the newly developed science of visual perspective to achieve amazing scenic accomplishments. Machiavelli Machiavelli –Known for writing The Prince

Renaissance Renaissance began in Italy (rebirth) Renaissance began in Italy (rebirth) Theater moved indoors; better methods for lighting stage, 3-D scenery Theater moved indoors; better methods for lighting stage, 3-D scenery Commedia dell’arte – wandering troupes of actors/actresses who improvised lines as they traveled the countryside Commedia dell’arte – wandering troupes of actors/actresses who improvised lines as they traveled the countryside

Troupes used the same characters called stock characters in each play Troupes used the same characters called stock characters in each play Harlequin- a clever servant known for his costume which looked like a patchwork quilt Harlequin- a clever servant known for his costume which looked like a patchwork quilt Pantalone- foolish old man who wore baggy trousers Pantalone- foolish old man who wore baggy trousers

Commedia Dell’arte This theatrical form developed in Italy and featured the actor rather than the script. This theatrical form developed in Italy and featured the actor rather than the script. Commedia dell’arte could be identified by four specific aspects: Commedia dell’arte could be identified by four specific aspects: –Improvisation: plots and sub-plots; dialogue was completely improvised. –Stock Characters: young lovers, old fathers, braggart soldiers, and comic servants. –Use of Mime and Pantomime: all characters except the lovers and the maid wore masks; attitudes were communicated through gestures. –Traveled in Companies: each member played the same role over and over.

Commedia Dell’arte A few works were serious, and some pastoral, but most were comic. A few works were serious, and some pastoral, but most were comic. The acting appears to have been natural though the actors needed good entrance and exit lines as well as repartee. The acting appears to have been natural though the actors needed good entrance and exit lines as well as repartee. Actors required great skill, physical dexterity, and timing, since much of humor was visual. Actors required great skill, physical dexterity, and timing, since much of humor was visual. Actors in commedia also had to dance, sing, and do acrobatics. Actors in commedia also had to dance, sing, and do acrobatics. Commedia dell’arte introduced women into the theatre as equals. Commedia dell’arte introduced women into the theatre as equals.

Drama: The High Renaissance Italian playwrights chose mostly to write tender, sentimental, pastoral comedies, in a graceful, witty, and polished style. Italian playwrights chose mostly to write tender, sentimental, pastoral comedies, in a graceful, witty, and polished style. Dramas were produced with elaborate set decoration and usually at court for the nobility. Dramas were produced with elaborate set decoration and usually at court for the nobility. No permanent theatre buildings existed at this time; the surviving Roman theatre buildings were unstable. No permanent theatre buildings existed at this time; the surviving Roman theatre buildings were unstable.

Renaissance gradually spread to other countries Renaissance gradually spread to other countries Came to England during the Elizabethan Age (reign of Queen Elizabeth I) Came to England during the Elizabethan Age (reign of Queen Elizabeth I) Fame was overshadowed by greatest English playwright of all time, William Shakespeare Fame was overshadowed by greatest English playwright of all time, William Shakespeare

Elizabethan Theatre Against common aristocrats’ view – Elizabeth I loved theatre Against common aristocrats’ view – Elizabeth I loved theatre Outside London: Outside London: –1 st public playhouse  The Theatre (1576)  The Fortune  The Globe –Theatres were like wooden O’s – round or octagonal

3 Big Playwrights Christopher Marlow ( ) –Dr. Faustus –Protagonists sells his soul to the devil

Ben Johnson ( ) –Followed Aristotelian Unities –Humorous satire –Valpone

William Shakespeare ( ) –Considered the greatest English dramatist –Wrote histories, comedies, tragedies, poems

Greatness of Shakespeare –Skill with plot balance –Universality –Use of language –Memorable characters

Political unrest after Charles I Political unrest after Charles I Civil War Civil War Puritan Oliver Cromwell gained control Puritan Oliver Cromwell gained control Theatres = “Dens if inequity” – closed in 1642 Theatres = “Dens if inequity” – closed in 1642 Theatre dies in England until 1660 Theatre dies in England until 1660