Medieval Drama and Theatre Flashcards
What were some reasons for the decline of theatre after the Roman Period?
rise of christianity, theatre was a target for the church as well as prey of invaders, and finally the Trullan council forbid theatre
How did the rise of Christianity affect the decline of theatre?
polytheistic nature of theatre was a problem according to monotheistic Christians
How was theatre the prey of invaders?
the sacking of ROme destroyed civilization, 487AD Rome was destroyed, performers fled to Byzantine Empire to seek sanctuary
How did theatre become a target of the Church?
mime’s subject matter dealt with life, so they would have parodied the Christian rites and practices; early on they were welcomed but later they were legislated against
What was the Trullan Council?
692AD, final blow to theatre, major church council issued an edict, Canon 51 that forbid theatre and its players/spectacles/exhibitions of hunts/theatrical dances, if you opposed it you done got excommunicated, yo.
How was the use of ritual significant in the rebirth of theatre in the medieval church?
similar to growth of theatre in Greek period, ex. worship of Dionysus; death/rebirth was similar to Christian’s focus on death/resurrection
What were some explanations of theatre’s rebirth in the medieval church?
- use of ritual 2. need to present church teachings to simple people 3. cyclical feast days (instructional representation needed at these times); 2 major seasons Christmas and Easter 4. church lent itself as a kind of a performance space 5. dialogue existing in liturgy
What is the Oberammergau?
longest running passion play that still survives today; during the time of the plague the people of this village prayed to be spared from its effects, they were and promised to show gratitude for God’s mercy; every ten years the Oberammergau passion play is put on
What are tropes?
songs in dialogue form introduced into the liturgy
What is the Quem Quaritis?
very 1st trope inserted into the liturgy, was about the three Mary’s searching for Jesus in the tomb, eventually expanded to become the Visitato Sepulchri
What is the Visitato Sepulchri?
the full version of the Quem Quaritis, more lines were added to it
What was liturgical drama like in the 10th century?
dramatic episodes found their way into the liturgy; attempt at liturgical reform to make happenings in church more meaningful to congregation and increase number of churchgoers; also tropes were growing w/ more and more dialogue and eventually were removed from the liturgy and stood on their own
Describe liturgical drama from the 10th-13th centuries?
drama flourished in the church
What were the two main distinctions of types liturgical plays in the Church?
Easter Season and Christmas Season
What were some types of liturgical plays in the Easter Season?
- visit of 3 mary’s to the tomb (Quem Quaritis—> Visitato Sepulchri); peaked in the 12th century, was performed at darn in Church before the Easter Liturgy on Easter Sunday
- Crucifixion
- Passion Plays (Oberammergau) - longest running passion play, began in 1634
What were some types of liturgical plays in the Christmas Season?
- Nativity
- Three Kings
- Prophet’s Play (Adam is kind of a mini-prophet’s play)
How does one spell the name of the longest running passion play?
O-B-E-R-A-M-M-E-R-G-A-U
Mansions
small scenic units which set the stage for the play; backdrop for the action of the play (sometimes referred to as simoultaneous staging)
Platea
localized acting area in front of the mansion
Altar
part of the staging, used like the mansions
Choir
used for the higher places - the heavens
Crypt
used for the lower places - hell
Costumes during medival times?
church vestments
When did drama move out of the Church and where did it go?
13th/14th century, it moved into the marketplace (onto the front steps of the church as well)
Corpus Christi
designated time for beginning of teh playgoing season once the plays were outside of the Church and in the marketplace - weather was nice so it was convenient
Cycle Plays
took place in the towns of York, Chester, Wakefield, Lincoln; was typical/unique to England; performed in marketplace on pageant wagons - brought theatre to the people made it accessible
Mystery Plays
liturgical dramas that moved out the Church, took subject matter from the bible
Miracle Plays
stories about the saints and the Blessed Virgin; were performed about the continent
Guilds/Confraternities
laymen’s involvement in plays began when the plays moved out of the Church, specific guilds would produce specific plays (ex. bakers would do Last Supper Play)
Morality Plays
“everyman” - taught a lesson
What were stages like?
moveable pageant wagons/caros OR fixed preexisting structures (ex. ampitheatres, embankments, or courtyards)
