Roman Theatre

Heritage Began when Romans tried to adopt Greek Theatre Comedy surpassed Greek predecessors Tragedy not as successful Because of Romans high standards for themselves they thought Romans wouldnt behave in a free spirited fashion…so their plays often portrayed Greek settings and dealt with Greek characters so as not to offend Roman citizens

Theatres Romans wished to control Built everything freestanding Copied Greek idea of large gathering centers Adapted to their own types of entertainment –Romans built Large theatre, circus and a forum together

Roman Style Dominated architectural design of Europe and America for centuries Romans added more realistic scenery to plays Setting usually outdoors Since Roman plays were about Greeks there was always an alter on stage –Still present today but rarely used

A visual tour…

Theatre of Pompey

Arial View

Another View

Conventions of Roman Theatre More speaking actors than Greeks Chorus not used as often as the Greeks did Actors played one part Masks still used Stock Characters embellished –Series of stereotyped characters –Used often in comedy –Easily identifiable Anticipate behavior - reactions

Common Stock Characters Slave –Motivating force Young man Girl Braggart Old man Smart slave Dumb slave Parasite or leech

Plautus Romes most popular comic playwright Plays had poor structure Were lyrical and poetic Full of gag lines Many playwrights from Shakespeare to Neil Simon follow his style of comedy writing –A series of misadventures loosely tied together

Terence Consummate craftsman Well developed subtle plots Greater suspense More surprises Not as lyrical or poetic

Seneca One of the greatest minds and writers in Roman history Plays made him great writer of tragedies in Roman history Conflicts in his plays mainly man versus himself Plays more fit for readers theatre than stage production –Long –Brilliant monologues –Unmotivated entrances

Theatres

Coliseums

Circuses

Forums