The History of Theatre

1. The History of Theatre The Renaissance

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

3. The Masque • 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. Dumbshow • 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. Commedia dell’Arte • Commmediadell’Arte emerged in Italy during the 16th 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 main roles of Commedia • 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. Innamorati • 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 • 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. Il Capitano • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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