What do YOU remember?

Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?

Major contributions?
Where did theatre happen?
Decline?

English
Theatre
to 1642

Remember each country/society

goes through their own
Renaissance

Renaissance Reminder

Rebirth
14th-17th Century
Began in Italy
Revival of classical learning
Humanism
Art
Science
Religion

The printing press15th century (1440)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpqBxjdaD0c

 Power

Drama, Drama, Drama

ONE person makes the rules

The person in charge influences the countrys process

England=powerhouse
Strength in military, education, and the arts

Transfer of power
Different people different priorities
Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Queen Mary I,
Queen Elizabeth I, James I, Charles I, Commonwealth

Religion
Marriages
Sibling Rivalry

http://www.britainexpress.com/History/monarchs.
htm

Early English Drama

(late 1400s)
Humanist performances
Individualized/Intellectual/Wealthy
Cambridge University
Londons Inns of Court

Educational institutions utilizing theatre

Borrowing from Greeks and Romans
Merging of biblical stories, myths, chivalric
tales

University Wits: 1580s

Thomas Kyd
All events on stage
Revenge tragedy: The Spanish Tragedy

John Lyly
Wrote for boys companies
Pastoral comedies

Robert Greene
Wrote for adult companies
Heroines

Christopher Marlowe
Focus on the protagonist/very complex
Command of blank verse

Were able to connect with all audiences/common

themes

Shakespeare
1564-1616

Actor and playwrightKings Men

Did he write all of his works?
From whom did he borrow?
Provided insight about the human condition
Everyday issues that all could relate to
Three dimensional characters
Interwoven plots

Genres
Comedy
Tragedy
History
Mythical

Other Playwrights
Ben Jonson
Reforming human behavior, no sympathy

George Chappman
Thomas Dekker
Better presented than read

John Marstonviolent imagery

Criticizes those that have abandoned Christianity

Thomas Heywood
Good at arousing the pathetic emotions

Thomas Middleton
Very diverse situations, but could not evoke strong feelings

What did they all have in common?

Basic struggle between good and evil
Early point of attack
Chronological story
Scene structure
Diverse tones
Responsibility for the choices that we make

Government Regulation
Public Theatre=Government Control
Many attempts
Plays caused religious controversy

First try: Elizabeth I-1559

Banned religious or political subjects

Second try: 1572

Had to be above a noble to have a troupe
Must have a license to perform plays

Local governments wanted their own local

control.
1581: Master of Revels: fully powerful

Why was the government

attempting to restrict the
theatre? Do you
think it was successful?

Further Evolution of Playwriting

1603-1642/Jacobean and Caroline
Playwrights

A level of cynicism and doubtwhy?

John Webstergood characterization, yet obscure
Focus on corruption
Francis Beaumont--Sensationalism
John Fletcher
Dramatist for the Kings Men
Frequently performed plays
Phillip MassingerDramatist for the Kings Men
James Shirley--Dramatist for the Kings Men
John FordEvil=human beings=sympathy

Acting Companies
1574-Leicesters Men1st royal patent
Who is the Master of Revels and what does he do
again?

1583Queens Men
Monopoly to perform in London

1594Admirals & Chamberlins Men

(Burbage)
Competed for prominence in London
Chamberlins men became the Kings Men

1600sKings MenJames I
Primary dramatistWilliam Shakespeare

Acting Companies

Sharing plan

All financial risks and profits are shared

Buy into the company
Not all parts are equal
Non-sharing members hired men

NO WOMEN
Female roles played by choir boys

Fines
Intoxication, tardiness, no shows, or wearing a
costume outside the theatre

Had to perform in front of city officials to get

permission

 Interested in being the next group? Send a

rep up by 1:30.
Doctor Faustus groupquiz and answer
key due March 31 @ noon in e-mail.
No class next time.
Take 10 minutes to review for the class
quiz, there will be questions about last
lecture and the reading for today.

Conditions
The Plague
Lots of people in a crowded roomnot good!

Playwright
Once a playwright was paid, the play was property
of the company.

Plays had to be approved and licensed by the

Master of Revelswho is this again???
Actors only received their lineswhy?
Quality acting?

Public Theatres p.117

Predecessors

Arenas and inns

Open air
Elevated stages
Different seating options based on the theatre
Various theatresdifferent construction in each
space

Music room/gallerybalcony scenes

Owned by householdersreceived half the
take

http://literature11.pbworks.com/f/inside.jpg

FLAG

Globe

HUT

HEAVENS
LORDS/GENTLEMENS ROOMS

GALLERY

TIRING

TIRING

HOUSE

HOUSE

GALLERY

PLATFORM STAGE
SUPPORT
GROUNDLINGS

SUPPORT

GROUNDLINGS

Private Theatres
Not covered by lawsno need for a patron
Smaller, roofed theaters
Higher fees, seats for all
Kings Men were authorized to perform in a
private theatre

Scenery, Properties, Special Effects

Scenery

Spoken Dcornot scenically represented

Physically represented
Tables, chairs, beds, coffins, dead bodies, trees, flowers

Much more spectacle in the stagings at court

Why?

After 1603court influence

Who and why?

Music
Orchestra
Trumpeters, drummers
The jig

Costumes

Most important elementwhy?

Very expensive and time consuming
Fines for wearing the costumes of the playhouses
Actors expected to own a stock
Lent/Rented/Given
Most were in contemporary dress
Exceptions

Ancientout of style
Antiqueclassical figures
Fanicifulghosts/allegorical
Traditionalspecific characters
National/racial

Audiences
Changing timesgrowing population
10-20% of the London population
Intense competition
Posters, flags, trumpeters, upcoming announcements

Theatres: 100-3,000
Higher costs at private theatres

Performance limitations
No performances during Lent
The Plague
James Iillegal to perform on Sunday

Not good for a womans reputation to stand at the

theatre.

Court Plays and Masques

Private performances
Inigo Jones (1573-1662)

First important scene designer

Studied in Italy
Surveyor of His Majestys Works
Perspective scenery, periaktoi, changing scenery

Masquesallegorical stories honoring the

person or occasion being celebrated
Three dancesentry, main, going out
Twelfth Night and Mardi Gras
Very expensive
Women only acted at court or in houses of nobility

Closure of the Theatre

Charles I
Wanted to rule as an absolute monarch
Did so from 1629-1640

Didnt work well with Parliament

Beheaded in 1649

Civil war in 1642

Association of royal family to theatre
Parliament closed the theatre for 5 years (1642)
Puritans were then in control and ordered the
permanent closure of the theatre.

HOMEWORK
Be the expert on the following
pages (by APRIL 9) based on
your last name:
136-142 (Religious Drama-Calderon): A-Ga
142-148 (Acting CompaniesCorrales/Coliseos): Go-N
148-153 (Stage/Scenery-Court
Entertainments): O-Z