The origins of English Drama

Pagan origins Fertility rites mainly based on nature cycles: i.e. seasons MAY POLE

Interest of the Church in pagan celebrations From celebrations of spring to celebration of Easter

Liturgical drama Sung dialogue between the celebrants to commemorate great Christian events in the nave of churches

From the nave to the church square From latin to vernacular No more priests as actors

Mystery or Miracle Plays 13th 14th 15th cent. Mystery or Miracle Plays Actors: members of Trade Guilds Stage: pageants

Morality Plays personifications of Vices and Virtues Characters not from Bible, but personifications of Vices and Virtues Everyman, after 1485 Main characters: Everyman, Death, Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, Worldly Goods, Kindred, Good Deeds

Interludes End of 15th cent. Combination of serious elements with more comic ones Vice as a dramatic character his dialogues rich with puns

Folk tales re-telling old stories, i.e. Robin Hood Actors used to travel from town to town performing for their audiences in return for money and hospitality. Authorities against actors, because beyond control Actors classified as “vagabonds and beggars,” in a 1572 Act of Parliament

timeline 1492 America, Leonardo’s Last Supper 1508, Michelangelo Sistine Chapel 1509-1547 Reign of Henry VIII 1534, Act of Supremacy 1558-1603 Reign of Elizabeth I 1564-1616 W. Shakespeare 1576, The Theatre 1599, The Globe

SOUTHWARK

The Globe James Burbage Lord Chamberlain’s Men W. Shakespeare The Rose Philip Henslowe Admiral’s Men C. Marlowe

The Swan

Elizabethan Advertising Flags were erected on the day of the performance which sometimes displayed a picture advertising the next play to be performed. Colour coding was also used a black flag meant a tragedy white a comedy and red a history.

Hell under stage