1. Major influence in France, Germany, England and Russia
The Romantic Period
Major influence in France, Germany, England and Russia

2. The Age of Independence
The rise of the middle class was occurring – trading and manufacturing joined agriculture as major sources of wealth. Concentration of people in towns and cities increased
The American Revolution (1770) and the French Revolution (1791) further asserted that men had freedom to act on their own consciences.

3. Allowed for artistic freedom and self-expression – importance of the individual
Put an emphasis on using original ideas rather than using traditional ideas
Writers used their personal feelings as a basis for their writings
Romantic plays, old and new, tended to appeal to emotions rather than intellect

4. A relationship between man and nature was reestablished
Nature was something to honor. God had created nature, and we must know as much about it as possible. Nature is Truth.
Wanderer Above the Sea Fog by Caspar David Friedrich

5. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1749 – 1832
Germany
Educated as a lawyer. He was also a philosopher and a scientist.
Major Plays
Egmont -1788
Faust

6. Excerpt from Faust “You can’t, if you can’t feel it, if it never
Rises from the soul, and sways
The heart of every single hearer,
With deepest power, in simple ways.
You’ll sit forever, gluing things together,
Cooking up a stew from other’s scraps,
Blowing on a miserable fire,
Made from your heap of dying ash.
Let apes and children praise your art,
If their admiration’s to your taste,
But you’ll never speak from heart to heart,
Unless it rises up from your heart’s space.”
― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust: First Part

7. Victor Hugo 1802 – 1885 French Major Plays
Hernani – 1830 – romantic tragedy
Hunchback of Notre Dame
Les Miserables

8. Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) Romantic dramas: Henri III - 1829
The Count of Monte Cristo

9. Edmund Rostand (1868-1918) Crossover between Romantic and Realism
Major Plays
Cyrano de Bergerac

10. Excerpt from Cyrano de Bergerac
CYRANO: Ah no! young blade! That was a trifle short! 
You might have said at least a hundred things 
By varying the tone. . .like this, suppose,. . . 
Aggressive: 'Sir, if I had such a nose I'd amputate it!' 
Friendly: 'When you sup It must annoy you, dipping in your cup; 
You need a drinking-bowl of special shape!' 
Descriptive: ''Tis a rock!. . .a peak!. . .a cape! --
A cape, forsooth! 'Tis a peninsular!' 
Curious: 'How serves that oblong capsular? 
For scissor-sheath? Or pot to hold your ink?' 
Gracious: 'You love the little birds, I think? 
I see you've managed with a fond research 
To find their tiny claws a roomy perch!' 

11. George Bernard Shaw Irish 1856-1950
1870 he moved to London to begin a career in literature
Crossover between Romantic and Realism
Major Plays
Candida-1898
Arms and the Man
Mrs. Warren’s Profession -1898
Pygmalion-1913

12. Rise of the Actor John Phillip Kemble (1757-1823)
Mrs. Sarah Siddons, his sister ( ) – English
Their acting was idealized – with grace, dignity, a "classical style.”

13. Edmund Kean
Considered to have "perfected" the romantic style
Usually played villainous roles – sacrificed dignity for emotion.

14. William Charles Macready
A compromise between the Kembles and Kean – careful rehearsals, detailed characterizations.
He popularized historical accuracy in settings and costumes

15. Sarah Bernhardt French actress 1845-1923
Specialized in "breeches roles" (women playing men)

16. Edwin Booth American actor 1833-1893 Brother of John Wilkes Booth
Famous for interpretations of Shakespearean roles.

17. Theatre Structure
Similar to baroque opera-house style

18. Theatre Structure
A wedge-shaped amphitheater was used instead of private boxes to allow equal viewing for all
Similar to Neoclassic proscenium theatre with seating in front of stage
Candle light/oil lamps in the seating area were dimmed to enhance viewing and also to decrease distractions

19. Types of Theatres
Independent theatres are small theaters that began appearing during the romantic period.
Focused on the artistic aspect of drama rather than “commercial success.”
Audience size increased
Former “cheap seats” became in demand since seeing the play became more important

20. Theatre Structure
Box set (a setting depicting three walls of a room around a proscenium arch stage) became common & realistically painted
Scenery included drops, flats, ground rows (cutaway flats standing free of stage floor)
The stage was to present an illusion of reality, with many details, and was to be historically and geographically

21. Women’s Costumes of the Era
House Dress: tight long sleeves and poofy shoulders
Hats and bonnets
Ball Dress: low necklines, short or no sleeves, and tight bodices

22. Men’s Costumes of the Era
Morning Suits: mid-thigh tail, slope from waist front, and a tie
Hats: Bowler top hats
Overcoats: double-breasted jackets with double breasted vest

23. Costumes attempted to be Realistic

24. Significance of The Romantic Era
While Romanticism was not at all realistic in its acting, drama, or direction, in set, costume, and lighting it attempted to be as realistic as possible.
Romanticism inadvertently paved the way for easier acceptance of Realism in the late 19th century

25. Bibliography
Titles and dates of plays for each playwright
-Basic info about period
Info about Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and plays
-Info about Shaw and his plays
-Info about Victor Hugo
Info about types of theaters
Info about theaters