Chapter 14

Context The Renaissance-meaning rebirth 1550 Medieval religious drama ended and the Renaissance took over western Europe Italy and southern Europe embraced the ideas earlier Spain and England were rivals

Traits of the new Renaissance Humanism-concern for people and their earthly lives Secularism-advocating of ethical conduct as an end in itself, rather than required to get into heaven; logical systems of thought independent from divine revelation Reformation of the Roman Catholic church Discovery of a whole new world (Marco Polo, Columbus, etc) Constantinople falls

More Traits The printing press is introduced The arts became more acknowledged 1600-The Golden Ages of theatre and drama in England and Spain began – Freestanding theatres – Professional players – Paying audiences – Expansive plays with complexity

The Age of Shakespeare The influential reign of Elizabeth I ( ) Commercial theatres open in London in 1576 Public theatres were outdoors – Yard/pit – Galleries and lords’ rooms – Tiring house – Heavens – Traps – Hut – Musicians’ gallery – Discovery space

Audience Not poor or very rich Mostly male Educated enough to understand jokes and allusions Fascination and appreciation for language – Style of soliloquies and lyric poetry

Practices Small properties were used (stage directions) Columns and doors suggested places Costuming was more important that scenery or spectacle Contemporary dress Masks were rarely used

Actors and Acting Acting companies were licensed (helped protect them) Troupes organized into sharing companies- share expenses, profits and responsibilities of production Householders-owned the theatre building Hirelings-hired actors that didn’t own a share in the company

Actors and Acting Precise style of acting isn’t clear Vocal power and flexibility were prized Breath control and verbal dexterity— soliloquies, monologues etc. Men acted-no women allowed Actors specialized in certain roles-clowns, tragedian, etc.

Plays and Playwrights Shakespeare-38 plays – Histories – Comedies – Tragedies Thomas Kyd-The Spanish Tragedy Christopher Marlowe- Dr. Faustus

Techniques for Playwriting Early point of attach Several lines of action- “subplots” Larger and varied number of incidents-tears and laughter, death and life, love and confrontation Free use of time and place-unfolds across many months and many locations Large number and variety of cast- 30 or more actors Varied Language-lyrical writing, figures of speech, prose, etc.

Court Masques Stuart monarchs liked masques-individually performed plays and spectacles presented in royal and noble houses Allegorical stories designed to compliment an individual Elaborate scenes and costumes Ben Jonson was the most significant writer Inigo Jones-introduced major elements of Italiante staging to English courts

Stuart Masques and their importance Used Italianate system of staging in the 17 th century—a time when theatres continued to use the medieval staging techniques Close association of masques and monarchy which aided in the closing of theatres

English Theatres Close Civil war, church war, disease, government and many other factors lined up to close down the theatres in England Acting was banned, but not music—William Davenant produced operas staging them with the Italianate system The medieval conventions disappeared with the closing of theatres

Spanish Golden Age Similar to England’s theatres – Latin music dramas – Religious plays – Comedies and farces Fixed and movable stages Earliest permanent public theatres: Corral del Cruz and Corral del Principe- outdoor theatres with thrust stages (like the Globe) Court theatres-like the masques

Women Spain let women act by the 1580s – Clergy didn’t think it was appropriate – Government essentially said women could act with makeup rather than boys While they could act, they were considered immoral and a threat to men Women in the audience had their own entrance and place to view the play

Spain’s Plays & Playwrights Spain is known for it’s production of 1000s of plays during the Golden Age Lope de Rueda-farces and religious plays Lope de Vega-authored more than 500 plays Pedro Caledron de la Barca: Life Is a Dream – most respected Spanish playwright of the Golden Age