1. The Renaissance

2. The Renaissance was a period of great scientific, exploratory, and cultural expansion in Europe It began in the 14 th century in Florence, Italy It spread through the rest of Europe over the next 300 years

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Commmedia dell’Arte emerged in Italy during the 16 th 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

6. The characters originally were meant to represent different districts and towns in Italy There were three main divisions of characters in Commedia dell’Arte Servant Master Innamorati (lover) Some of the most notable named characters in Commedia were Harlequin, Pantalone, Il Dottore, Il Capitano, Scaramucha, and the Innamorati

7. The innamorati were the lovers in Commedia Their sole purpose was to be in love with one another, and more importantly, themselves They were usually separated by some force at the beginning of the play By the end, they are almost always reunited

8. Scaramucha was a clown He usually wore a black mask and black clothing He was usually a buffoon or boastful Was in some ways related to Il Capitano

9. 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

10. 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 drinking His mask is unique in that it only covers the forehead and nose

11. Pantalone is the “money man” in Commedia He is rich and exceedingly greedy Becomes the butt of many jokes in the play Usually the father of one of the lovers Wears red tights and jacket, black hat and cloak, and a mask with a hooked nose

12. Harlequin is one of the most well-known characters in Commedia A comic servant or “Zanni” Physically agile, but also gluttonous Has a distinct costume of black and red diamonds

13. 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