French Classical Theatre

Question 1

Confrerie de la Passion

Answer 1

responsible for producing medieval drama, produced 1st permanent theatre in France

Question 2

Hotel de Bourgogne

Answer 2

built on grounds belonging to Duke of Burgundy; 1st permanent theatre

Question 3

First Phase of NeoClassical Drama

Answer 3

took place in schools, education; completely embraced and studied the classical models, “Poetics” and “Ars Poetica”

Question 4

Second Phase of NeoClassical Drama

Answer 4

production of the works in schools and court

Question 5

Third Phase of NeoClassical Drama

Answer 5

formation of group of intellectuals, writers, literary figures, determined to develop French language as a medium for creating works based on the classical model.

Question 6

“The Art of Tragedy”

Answer 6

(1572) written by Jean de la Taille; established the set conventions for the age regarding the writing of tragedies, commented on the use of:
- unities
- verasimilitude
- decorum
- late point of attack
- 5 act structure

Question 7

unities (as per “The Art of Tragedy”)

Answer 7

(action, time and place) Taille emphasized the importance of the unities

Question 8

verasimilitude (as per “The Art of Tragedy”)

Answer 8

“do not introduce characters into your work that are feint” (ex. Death, Avarice). plays should be true to life

Question 9

decorum (as per “The Art of Tragedy”)

Answer 9

“must show on stage what can be decently and easily performed”

Question 10

late point of attack (as per “The Art of Tragedy”)

Answer 10

“play must not start at the beginning of the story, towards the middle to create interest.

Question 11

Monarchs of the “Grand Siecle”

Answer 11

• Henry IV
• Louis XIII
• Louis XIV

Question 12

Henry IV

Answer 12

(1589-1610) dealt with great religious/political upheaval during his reign

Question 13

Louis XIII

Answer 13

(1601-1643) took over throne at age 9, Prime MInister Cardinal Richelieu advisor to him, great patron of the arts

Question 14

Louis XIV

Answer 14

(1638-1715) ascended the throne at age 5, Prime Minister Mazarin; when PM died he did not appoint another, “sun king”, great lover of the arts, danced ballet en point, “l’etat cest mor” = “the state is me”, believed he was a descendant from God

Question 15

Salons

Answer 15

a place where the beautiful people would gather together, kind would initiate and invite, they would include artists and intellectuals to have elegant talks and visits and so on and so forth; were begun by women

Question 16

Why was farce successful?

Answer 16

success was due to comedia dell arte troupes who had relocated in France

Question 17

Alexandre Hardy

Answer 17

(1572- 1632) first professional playwright, wrote for the public

Question 18

Jeu de Paume

Answer 18

(Tennis Courts) courrts had the same dimensions as theatre, were eventually used as performance spaces

Question 19

Permanent theatres

Answer 19

• Hotel de Bourgogne
• theatre du Marais
• Guenegaud
• Palais royal
• Comedie-Francaise

Question 20

Theatre du Marais

Answer 20

Rival to Hotel Bourgogne

Question 21

Palais Royal

Answer 21

(orig. Palais Cardinal) - Moliere’s company performed here

Question 22

Comedie-Francaise

Answer 22

National Theatre of France, Kings merging to Bourgogne and Marais