Theatre History Middle School Drama

Theatre History Plato Lived in the 4 th century BC Lived in the 4 th century BC Considered one of the greatest thinkers Considered one of the greatest thinkers He taught Aristotle He taught AristotleAristotle Disagreed with epic poetry Disagreed with epic poetry He believed in emotions, or Pathos He believed in emotions, or Pathos He gave lectures about dramatic literature-his lectures were written into a book called the Poetics He gave lectures about dramatic literature-his lectures were written into a book called the Poetics

The Poetics 1. Plot 2. Character 3. Thought 4. Diction 5. Melody 6. Spectacle

Plot The story begins before the audience sees the show The play begins here. The audience only sees a section of the entire story Conflict between characters occur and create tension More and more tension is created as characters set out to get what they want Characters are in a crisis and therefore the plot is at its climax Slowly the plot of the story is resolved The story continues after the audience leaves

Character The playwright creates characters so we can see & experience the plot The playwright creates characters so we can see & experience the plot They all have a purpose whether they are a main character or not They all have a purpose whether they are a main character or not “There are no small parts, just small actors” “There are no small parts, just small actors”

What Kinds of Characters Are There?

Thought The statement of what the entire play is about The statement of what the entire play is about Theme Theme Look at the title and what characters say in the plot Look at the title and what characters say in the plot

Diction The language of the play The language of the play -stage directions -given circumstances (setting) -character description -what the characters day

Melody Anything that is heard in a play. Can you name a few examples? Anything that is heard in a play. Can you name a few examples? Compare and contrast “Morning Report” to “Shadow Land” Compare and contrast “Morning Report” to “Shadow Land”

Spectacle All objects/things that are seen on stage All objects/things that are seen on stage OR concepts that are mentioned and we are to imagine what they look like OR concepts that are mentioned and we are to imagine what they look like -for example: It is a dark and stormy night

Let’s Apply What We Know

Medieval Theatre Began in the Catholic churches during Easter mass Began in the Catholic churches during Easter mass Stories from the Bible were dramatized Stories from the Bible were dramatized The church began to get jealous of the plays because people were more interested in the plays The church began to get jealous of the plays because people were more interested in the plays Plays had to leave the church Plays had to leave the church

Medieval Theatre The plays became traveling plays called Mystery plays The plays became traveling plays called Mystery plays Mystery-means trade or craft Mystery-means trade or craft Mystery plays were performed on wagons Mystery plays were performed on wagons Eventually the plays became more developed and were called Morality Plays Eventually the plays became more developed and were called Morality Plays

Medieval Theatre Morality plays were about people’s traits and virtues Morality plays were about people’s traits and virtues The plays were now written by authors, not guildsmen The plays were now written by authors, not guildsmen Actors were becoming a part of an organization rather than traveling as a troupe Actors were becoming a part of an organization rather than traveling as a troupe Costumes, make-up and props were more formal Costumes, make-up and props were more formal