Theatre of The Renaissance(1400-1650)

Renaissance= meaning “rebirth”

Renaissance in Italy Not the best playwriting. Mostly influenced by Greek Theatre

Intermezzi and Pastorals Intermezzi

Short plays depicting mythological tales. Presented between acts of full-length plays

Usually comedies. Thematically related to the full length play they

accompanied. Developed out of popular court entertainments. Often more popular than their accompanied

plays. Disappeared in the 1600s.

Intermezzi and Pastorals Pastorals

Imitated Greek satyr plays Subject matter: Romance Characters: Shepherds and mythological creatures

who inhabit the forests and countryside. Unlike satyr plays, pastorals were not as perverted

and bawdy in style. Usually deal with lovers being threatened and

often at odds with each other. Although the action is serious, always a happy

ending.

Opera Quite dramatic Could be considered a form of drama,

but is usually studied as a form of music.

Completely sung. Spoken text of opera is called the

libretto. Secondary to music

Stories of opera moved from myth to history to contemporary fiction.

Commedia dell’arte Italian for, “play of professional artists”. Usually consisted of ten performers

Seven men Three women

Primarily staged comedies Thrived between 1550 to 1750

Lasted longer than Renaissance period. No written script.

All improvised dialogue

Commedia dell’arte Scenarios provided plot outlines

Over 1000 still survive. Commedia actors played the same stock

characters most of their careers. Costuming also facilitated improvisation Commedia characters all wore traditional

costumes Harlequin’s patchwork jacket Dottore’s academic robes

This helped audiences recognize characters

Renaissance in England Under Henry VII and Henry VIII, interludes were

present at court or house of nobility. Interludes- brief dramatic entertainments written

and staged by professionals. School Drama became popular

Plays written and presented at schools and colleges. Not for the general public

Reflect Greek and Roman influence Later cited for development of boys’ acting

companies.

Play wrights who provided boys’ companies with scripts were members of a group called University Wits. Members included:

Christopher Marlowe Thomas Kyd John Lyly Robert Greene

Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) Son of a Canterbury shoemaker Attended Corpus Christi College

By the time he graduated as an undergrad he was already a secret agent

First drama he wrote alone: Tamburlaine the Great (1587)

Queen’s council ordered to arrest Marlowe Charged with atheism

Was stabbed to death before arrest In a brawl with Ingram Frizer

Marlowe’s writing Focused on dramatic poetry Used iambic pentameter

Has 5 beats 2 syllables to each beat Accent on the second beat

Acting Companies Three categories of personnel

Shareholders Hired men or Hirelings Apprentices

Shareholders The elite members of the companies Bought a percentage of ownership in the

company Received a percentage of the profits Were the main actors of the companies.

Hirelings Contracted for a specific period of time

and for a specific salary Played mainly small roles

Apprentices Young performers training for the profession Were assigned shareholders Received room, board, training and

experience in hopes of becoming a shareholder.

Often young boy apprentices were used to play women Made them more significant to the company

than hired men.

Women Actors Not allowed Debate over reasons Most believe it was a continuation of the

religious attitude of the Medieval period. Actresses were little better than

prostitutes However, women actors were allowed in

Italy for commedia dell’arte