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The Renaissance
The History of Theatre
The Renaissance was a period of great scientific, exploratory, and cultural expansion in Europe
It began in the 14th century in Florence, ItalyIt spread through the rest of Europe over the
next 300 years
What was the Renaissance
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.
The Masque
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
Dumbshow
Commmedia dell’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
Commedia dell’Arte
The characters originally were meant to represent different districts and towns in Italy
There were three main divisions of characters in Commedia dell’ArteServantMasterInnamorati (lover)
Some of the most notable named characters in Commedia were Harlequin, Pantalone, Il Dottore, Il Capitano, Scaramucha, and the Innamorati
The main roles of Commedia
The innamorati were the lovers in CommediaTheir sole purpose was to be in love with one
another, and more importantly, themselvesThey were usually separated by some force at
the beginning of the playBy the end, they are almost always reunited
Innamorati
Scaramucha was a clownHe usually wore a black mask and black
clothingHe was usually a buffoon or boastfulWas in some ways related to Il Capitano
Scaramucha
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
Il Capitano
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 drinkingHis mask is unique in that it only covers the
forehead and nose
Il Dottore
Pantalone is the “money man” in CommediaHe is rich and exceedingly greedyBecomes the butt of many jokes in the playUsually the father of one of the loversWears red tights and jacket, black hat and
cloak, and a mask with a hooked nose
Pantalone
Harlequin is one of the most well-known characters in Commedia
A comic servant or “Zanni”Physically agile, but also gluttonousHas a distinct costume of black and red
diamonds
Harlequin
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
The Influence