medieval theatre Flashcards
After the Roman Empire fall which church community took over the political structure?
Catholic Church
drama was performed in latin until 1350 when it became popular moved outside of church and was performed in __________ language.
vernacular
vernacular
drama that wasn’t performed in Latin but rather a wide spoken language like English
After theatre grew popular, it became more controlled by secular groups out of the ______.
church
The Guilds
Groups of tradesmen supporting each other in cities controlling certain plays/stories, such as the baker’s guild controlling the last supper.
the actors were all ____ and unpaid.
male
the plays would most often take place …
outside the church in the town square to attract and have room for large audiences
the performance style needed to be with
lively exaggerated movements and loud vocal projection, often adding comic elements.
Fixed staging/mansions
in Europe (except Spain & some of Italy) and were usually arranged in straight lines, rectangles, or circles depending on the space (heaven and hell were on at opposite ends if possible)
moveable (pageant wagons)
moved though the streets while the audience stayed in one place (like parade floats) - the term pageant is used to refer to the stage, play, and spectacle . Plays were performed in sequence, so each play several times.
how many kinds of Religious Plays were there?
3
Mystery plays
Stories from the Bible, usually performed in cycles
Miracle plays
lives of saints
Morality plays
plays usually exploring the common man’s struggle to live a Christian life. The central character represented humanity. Everyman and Mankind are two such plays, often featured personified abstract qualities such as Goodness or a Sin like Greed
Mummings (Mummer Plays)
Plays that were non religious and outside the church - might be performed in wealthy homes or village squares. they were like pantomimes.
everyman
the character representing the common man usually faced by challenge to live a Christian life
