The Romantic Period

1. The Romantic Period 1770 -1848 Major influence in France, Germany, England and Russia

2. The Age of Independence • The rise of the middle class was occurring – trading and manufacturing joined agriculture as major sources of wealth. Concentration of people in towns and cities increased • The American Revolution (1770) and the French Revolution (1791) further asserted that men had freedom to act on their own consciences.

3. Allowed for artistic freedom and self-expression – importance of the individual • Put an emphasis on using original ideas rather than using traditional ideas • Writers used their personal feelings as a basis for their writings • Romantic plays, old and new, tended to appeal to emotions rather than intellect

4. A relationship between man and nature was reestablished • Nature was something to honor. God had created nature, and we must know as much about it as possible. Nature is Truth. Wanderer Above the Sea Fog by Caspar David Friedrich

5. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe • 1749– 1832 • Germany • Educated as a lawyer. He was also a philosopher and a scientist. • Major Plays Egmont -1788 Faust - 1832

6. Excerpt from Faust “You can’t, if you can’t feel it, if it never Rises from the soul, and sways The heart of every single hearer, With deepest power, in simple ways. You’ll sit forever, gluing things together, Cooking up a stew from other’s scraps, Blowing on a miserable fire, Made from your heap of dying ash. Let apes and children praise your art, If their admiration’s to your taste, But you’ll never speak from heart to heart, Unless it rises up from your heart’s space.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust: First Part

7. Victor Hugo • 1802 – 1885 • French • Major Plays Hernani –1830 – romantic tragedy Hunchback of Notre Dame - 1831 Les Miserables - 1862

8. Alexandre Dumas • (1802-1870) • Romantic dramas: Henri III - 1829 The Count of Monte Cristo - 1848

9. Edmund Rostand • (1868-1918) • Crossover between Romantic and Realism • Major Plays Cyrano de Bergerac - 1897

10. Excerpt from Cyrano de Bergerac CYRANO: Ah no! young blade! That was a trifle short!  You might have said at least a hundred things  By varying the tone. . .like this, suppose,. . .  Aggressive: 'Sir, if I had such a nose I'd amputate it!'  Friendly: 'When you sup It must annoy you, dipping in your cup;  You need a drinking-bowl of special shape!'  Descriptive: ''Tis a rock!. . .a peak!. . .a cape! -- A cape, forsooth! 'Tis a peninsular!'  Curious: 'How serves that oblong capsular?  For scissor-sheath? Or pot to hold your ink?'  Gracious: 'You love the little birds, I think?  I see you've managed with a fond research  To find their tiny claws a roomy perch!'

11. George Bernard Shaw • Irish 1856-1950 • 1870 he moved to London to begin a career in literature • Crossover between Romantic and Realism • Major Plays Candida-1898 Arms and the Man - 1898 Mrs. Warren’s Profession -1898 Pygmalion-1913

12. Rise of the Actor • John Phillip Kemble (1757-1823) • Mrs. Sarah Siddons, his sister (1755-1831) – English • Their acting was idealized – with grace, dignity, a "classical style.”

13. EdmundKean • 1787-1833 • Considered to have "perfected" the romantic style • Usually played villainous roles – sacrificed dignity for emotion.

14. William Charles Macready • 1793-1873 • A compromise between the Kembles and Kean – careful rehearsals, detailed characterizations. • He popularized historical accuracy in settings and costumes

15. SarahBernhardt • French actress • 1845-1923 • Specialized in "breeches roles" (women playing men)

16. EdwinBooth • American actor • 1833-1893 • Brother of John Wilkes Booth • Famous for interpretations of Shakespearean roles.

17. Similar to baroque opera-house style Theatre Structure

18. A wedge-shaped amphitheater was used instead of private boxes to allow equal viewing for all Similar to Neoclassic proscenium theatre with seating in front of stage Candle light/oil lamps in the seating area were dimmed to enhance viewing and also to decrease distractions Theatre Structure

19. Types of Theatres • Independent theatres are small theaters that began appearing during the romantic period. • Focused on the artistic aspect of drama rather than “commercial success.” • Audience size increased • Former “cheap seats” became in demand since seeing the play became more important

20. Box set (a setting depicting three walls of a room around a proscenium arch stage) became common & realistically painted Scenery included drops, flats, ground rows (cutaway flats standing free of stage floor) The stage was to present an illusion of reality, with many details, and was to be historically and geographically Theatre Structure

21. Women’s Costumes of the Era • House Dress: tight long sleeves and poofy shoulders • Hats and bonnets • Ball Dress: low necklines, short or no sleeves, and tight bodices

22. Men’s Costumes of the Era • Morning Suits: mid-thigh tail, slope from waist front, and a tie • Hats: Bowler top hats • Overcoats: double-breasted jackets with double breasted vest

23. Costumes attempted to be Realistic

24. Significance of The Romantic Era • While Romanticism was not at all realistic in its acting, drama, or direction, in set, costume, and lighting it attempted to be as realistic as possible. • Romanticism inadvertently paved the way for easier acceptance of Realism in the late 19th century

25. Bibliography http://www.dramaturgy.net/store/Plays/by_Playwright/George_Bernard_Shaw/ Titles and dates of plays for each playwright http://fasindy.org/Education/Romantic.html -Basic info about period http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Wolfgang_von_Goethe Info about Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and plays http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bernard_Shaw -Info about Shaw and his plays http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Hugo -Info about Victor Hugo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism http://www.theatredatabase.com/19th_century/19th_century_drama_001.html Info about types of theaters http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Balcony/7634/19th_century_theatre.htm Info about theaters http://www.swd.org/tidelanders/Scripts/TheaterGlossary.htm