The Renaissance

The History of Theatre

The Renaissance was a period of great scientific, exploratory, and cultural expansion in Europe

It began in the 14th century in Florence, ItalyIt spread through the rest of Europe over the

next 300 years

What was the Renaissance

Renaissance theatre took the developments of the medieval era and expanded upon them

Masques were evolved from courtly shows done before kings and queens

They combined music, dancing, theatre, and elaborate sets

They usually celebrated the life of the noble it was written for

Royals often had a role in the masque. Louis XIV of France danced ballet in his masque.

The Masque

In England, the dumbshow was a kind of masque with an allegorical theme

Dumbshows were silent pantomimes, and were often included as a “play-within-a-play”

One of the most famous dumbshows seen today is the “Murder of Gonzago” scene in Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Dumbshow

Commmedia dell’Arte emerged in Italy during the 16th century

The name translates to “comedy of art”Commedia was generally improvised theatre,

which was inspired by given scene ideas or “Scenarios”

Commedia also utilized several stock characters in the performance of the scenarios

Commedia dell’Arte

The characters originally were meant to represent different districts and towns in Italy

There were three main divisions of characters in Commedia dell’ArteServantMasterInnamorati (lover)

Some of the most notable named characters in Commedia were Harlequin, Pantalone, Il Dottore, Il Capitano, Scaramucha, and the Innamorati

The main roles of Commedia

The innamorati were the lovers in CommediaTheir sole purpose was to be in love with one

another, and more importantly, themselvesThey were usually separated by some force at

the beginning of the playBy the end, they are almost always reunited

Innamorati

Scaramucha was a clownHe usually wore a black mask and black

clothingHe was usually a buffoon or boastfulWas in some ways related to Il Capitano

Scaramucha

Often a foreigner, Il Capitano claims to be a military hero

His reputation is often safe only by his foreign nature

Boasts of his bravery and conquests, but is often the first to run from a fight

Has trouble talking to women

Il Capitano

Il dottore is an old man whose purpose is to be an obstacle to the young lovers

Is usually lonely, angry, and never listens to anyone else

Usually obese, constantly eating and drinkingHis mask is unique in that it only covers the

forehead and nose

Il Dottore

Pantalone is the “money man” in CommediaHe is rich and exceedingly greedyBecomes the butt of many jokes in the playUsually the father of one of the loversWears red tights and jacket, black hat and

cloak, and a mask with a hooked nose

Pantalone

Harlequin is one of the most well-known characters in Commedia

A comic servant or “Zanni”Physically agile, but also gluttonousHas a distinct costume of black and red

diamonds

Harlequin

The influence of Commedia dell’Arte on theatre was immense and is still seen today

Many of the scenarios used in Commedia are still utilized as plots in comedies

One classic example was William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”

The stock characters can be seen in many characters in TV and film today

The Influence