Medieval 1 Flashcards
christianity in rome
christians fed to lions in ancient rome
312 ce
Emperor Constantine converts to christianity (wanted to unify divided empire?)
- festivals for gods
- mimes are immoral
-theatre begins to decline
380 ce
- christianity becomes state religion in rome
— only one thats permited
—actors cannot be christian
— thatre atttendance punishable b excocommunication
-emperors CANT love actresses
oopsy emperor Justinian and Theodora
in love with mime actress Theadora
- changes law to be able to marry her
- Theadora born to bear keeper
- known for portrayaal of leda and the swan
— pecked by geese naked - she expanded womens rights in divorce/ stricter punishments for rape, etc. (ppl throughout she went too far)
395 ce
Empire undergoes a downfall (east and west)
WEST:
- gets raided (east doesn’t help)
- overthrown by germanic barbarian tribes
- falls in 476
Rome falls in 568
EAST:
- Byzantine era (more stable)
- actors had no civil rights
—– though there was 2 theatres and hippodrome for chariot racing
- islamic invasion in 622
- east preserves all the historical ancient greek and roman documents
Theatre continues with christianity
Quem Quaeritus
- whom do you seek
- three women lookng for jesus
- Liturgical trope
- part of easter / religious story
- simple plot
SUPER POPULAR
- theatrical cuz dialogue / back and forth singing
- suspension / different characters (4)
—– 3 marys one angel
reminds us of Thespis stepped out of chorus (separation from group allows for dialogue)
-root of drama in the west
- there were costumes and props
(records of early stage directions)
Liturgical Drama
part of religious literature
–performed in latin,
– by members of the church,
– sung
Staging:
- mansions and platea
- hell mouths / fire
small buildings are mansions , the plank in front platea
(you stand in front of whatever you belong to)
Venacualar Drama
Moving out
- of the church
still linked to biblical stories
- everyday language
- everyone can perform
- mystery or morality plays
