Dramatic Forms in the 19th Century

Questions and Answers

During the first half of the 19th century, two new dramatic forms _ and _ were created.

Melodrama, Romanticism

Actors left the Comedie Francaise to form ________.

Theatre de La Republique

What are the 8 basic characteristics of Melodrama?

A focus on emotional appeal 2. Musical underscoring of emotion 3. Vocal and physical underscoring of emotion 4. Virtue under siege 5. Strict poetic justice 6. Comic relief 7. Fast-paced, episodic, and sensational action 8. Extensive use of typical plot devices

The Romantics borrowed liberally from the writings of __________.

Kant Signup and view all the answers

What are the 5 fundamental tenets of Romanticism?

<ol> <li>Beyond earthly existence there is a higher truth 2. The less a thing deviates from its natural state, the more likely to embody some fundamental truth 3. Human beings, held back by their physical limitations, can never grasp truth in its totality 4. Through the glimpse of ultimate truth provided by art, people become fully aware of their potential-artistically, socially and politically 5. Only an exceptional imagination can perceive the final unity behind the apparently endless diversity of existence, and the only artist-genius and the philosopher has this.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Deeply concerned with theatre, _ and _ called themselves Romantics.

Schlegel, Tieck Signup and view all the answers

Which French playwright's play could be divided into historical spectacles and domestic dramas?

Dumas Signup and view all the answers

What 19th century actor was often called the greatest of all French actors?

Francois-Joseph Talma Signup and view all the answers

Who was the most admired designer of the 1800's in France?

Ciceri Signup and view all the answers

Moscow had two theaters, _ for spoken drama and _ for opera and ballet.

The Maly, The Bolshoi Signup and view all the answers

________ stopped English minor theaters from performing the plays of the patent houses.

The Licensing Act Signup and view all the answers

The stability of English theater was due to the work of ______________.

John Philip Kemble Signup and view all the answers

What designer created the book, History of British Costume, as a result of his research into historical clothing?

Planche' Signup and view all the answers

Edmund Kean was a famous _____________ of the period.

actor Signup and view all the answers

The first native-born American actress to win international fame was ____________.

Charlotte Cushman Signup and view all the answers

Thomas Rice created his comic caricature of African Americans called __________.

Jim Crow Signup and view all the answers

How many parts were Minstrel Shows divided into?

2 Signup and view all the answers

The Chestnut Street Theater was the first to light its stage with gas. In what city was it located?

Philadelphia Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dramatic Forms in the 19th Century

Melodrama and Romanticism emerged as new dramatic forms in the first half of the 19th century.

Significant Theatre Institutions

Actors departed from Comedie Francaise to establish Theatre de La Republique.

Characteristics of Melodrama

Emotional appeal serves as the central focus.
Musical underscoring enhances emotional engagement.
Vocal and physical elements amplify emotional expression.
Themes often feature virtue in jeopardy.
Strictly adheres to poetic justice principles.
Incorporates comic relief to balance intensity.
Known for fast-paced, episodic, and sensational narratives.
Utilizes typical plot devices extensively.

Influences on Romanticism

Romantics borrowed heavily from the philosophical concepts of Kant.

Fundamental Tenets of Romanticism

A belief in a higher truth beyond earthly existence.
The notion that closer resemblance to natural state enhances truth representation.
Recognition of human limitations in comprehending total truth.
Art as a vehicle for glimpsing ultimate truth, enhancing awareness of potential.
Exceptional imagination is deemed essential for perceiving unity in diversity, with artists and philosophers regarded as the primary possessors of this insight.

Key Figures in Romantic Theatre

Schlegel and Tieck were notable figures deeply engaged with theatre who identified as Romantics.
Dumas, a French playwright, categorized his works into historical spectacles and domestic dramas.
François-Joseph Talma is renowned as the greatest French actor of the 19th century.

Design and Theatrical Spaces

Ciceri distinguished himself as the most admired designer in 1800s France.
Moscow is home to two primary theaters: Maly for spoken drama and Bolshoi for opera and ballet.

Regulation and Stability in English Theatre

The Licensing Act restricted English minor theaters from staging plays from patent houses.
John Philip Kemble contributed significantly to the stability of English theatre.

Notable Historical Contributions

Planche' created "History of British Costume" through extensive research into historical clothing.
Edmund Kean gained fame as an outstanding actor during this period.

Influential American Theatrical Figures

Charlotte Cushman became the first native-born American actress to achieve international acclaim.
Thomas Rice developed the comic character Jim Crow, contributing to the minstrel tradition.

Structure of Minstrel Shows

Minstrel shows were typically divided into two parts.

Technological Innovations in Theatre

The Chestnut Street Theater, located in Philadelphia, was the first to utilize gas lighting on its stage.

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Description

Explore the emergence of melodrama and romanticism in 19th-century theatre. This quiz delves into the significant characteristics of these forms, their emotional appeal, and the influence of romanticism on dramatic expressions. Test your knowledge of key theatre institutions and fundamental tenets of this transformative period in drama.