Renaissance Drama in England
Renaissance Drama in England
From Medieval to Renaissance Drama
Mystery plays ->
Historical (chronicle)
Miracle plays
->
plays
Tragedies Comedies
Morality plays ->
Interludes
->
Other public “spectacles”…
The Elizabethan Drama
The Elizabethan era saw a
great flourishing of literature, especially in the field of drama. The Italian Renaissance had rediscovered the ancient Greek and Roman theatre, and this was instrumental in the development of the new drama, which was then beginning to evolve apart from the old mystery and miracle plays of the Middle Ages.
The Italians were particularly
inspired by Seneca (a major tragic playwright and philosopher) and Plautus (comic clichés, especially that of the boasting soldier had a powerful influence on the Renaissance and after). However, the Italian tragedies embraced a principle contrary to Seneca's ethics: showing blood and violence on the stage. It is also true that the Elizabethan Era was a very violent age. As a result, representing that kind of violence on the stage in scenes of high ―physical realism‖ was probably more cathartic for the Elizabethan spectator.
Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent,1889
Elizabethan Drama and Acting – Main Features
The plays had 5 acts; Physical realism; Issues borrowed from the ancient Greek drama (the chorus); Allegorical characters borrowed from the Medieval moralities; Issues borrowed from the Italian drama (the pantomime); Exaggerated feelings (love, hatred, revenge); Props and settings were simple; Costumes were rich and in accordance with the fashion of the time; There was no curtain; Women were not allowed to perform. Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd
Examples: Gorboduc (or Ferrex and Porrex) by Sackville & Norton, The
The Elizabethan Playhouse
The establishment of large and
profitable public theatres was an essential enabling factor in the success of English
From Medieval to Renaissance Drama
Mystery plays ->
Historical (chronicle)
Miracle plays
->
plays
Tragedies Comedies
Morality plays ->
Interludes
->
Other public “spectacles”…
The Elizabethan Drama
The Elizabethan era saw a
great flourishing of literature, especially in the field of drama. The Italian Renaissance had rediscovered the ancient Greek and Roman theatre, and this was instrumental in the development of the new drama, which was then beginning to evolve apart from the old mystery and miracle plays of the Middle Ages.
The Italians were particularly
inspired by Seneca (a major tragic playwright and philosopher) and Plautus (comic clichés, especially that of the boasting soldier had a powerful influence on the Renaissance and after). However, the Italian tragedies embraced a principle contrary to Seneca's ethics: showing blood and violence on the stage. It is also true that the Elizabethan Era was a very violent age. As a result, representing that kind of violence on the stage in scenes of high ―physical realism‖ was probably more cathartic for the Elizabethan spectator.
Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent,1889
Elizabethan Drama and Acting – Main Features
The plays had 5 acts; Physical realism; Issues borrowed from the ancient Greek drama (the chorus); Allegorical characters borrowed from the Medieval moralities; Issues borrowed from the Italian drama (the pantomime); Exaggerated feelings (love, hatred, revenge); Props and settings were simple; Costumes were rich and in accordance with the fashion of the time; There was no curtain; Women were not allowed to perform. Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd
Examples: Gorboduc (or Ferrex and Porrex) by Sackville & Norton, The
The Elizabethan Playhouse
The establishment of large and
profitable public theatres was an essential enabling factor in the success of English