10 Questions
Which playwright is known for writing the comedy play 'Lysistrata'?
Aristophanes
Where were the theaters of ancient Greece usually constructed?
On hillsides
What type of play is 'Lysistrata' primarily categorized as?
Comedy
Which element of the ancient theater was considered the viewing place?
Theatron
What type of art forms were commonly seen in Roman theaters?
Street theatre and acrobatics
Who is considered one of the first to build a permanent theater in ancient Rome?
Pompey
Which type of theater performances were popular in Roman culture?
Chariot races and gladiator competitions
What effect did Hellenization have on Roman culture in the 3rd century BC?
It had an intense and energizing effect on Roman theater
In what type of play would one typically find a strong female character leading a coalition?
Comedy
Which type of play aimed to lighten the overall mood of a serious play with a happy ending?
Satyr
Study Notes
Medieval Theater (500 C.E. - 1400)
- Theater performances were not allowed throughout Europe during the medieval era.
- Minstrels performed in markets, public places, and festivals to keep theater alive, despite being denounced by the Church.
- Minstrels traveled from town to town as puppeteers, jugglers, storytellers, dancers, singers, and other performers in theatrical arts.
Renaissance Theater (1400-1600)
- Renaissance theater arts were characterized by a return of classical Greek and Roman arts and culture.
- Mystery plays formed part of religious festivals in England and other parts of Europe during the Renaissance period.
- Morality plays and university dramas were formed to recreate Athenian tragedy.
Commedia dell'Arte
- Commedia dell'Arte was a formalized form of Italian humorous theatrical presentation performed by professional players who traveled in troupes.
- It developed and flourished from Italy to France with the help of Catherine de' Medici, Queen of France.
William Shakespeare
- William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, regarded as the greatest writer and dramatist in the world.
- His works consist of about 38 plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Much Ado About Nothing.
Ballet
- Ballet originated from the Italian Renaissance courts and developed into a formalized form of dance.
- The first formal "court ballet" was Ballet des Polonaises in 1573.
Theater Architecture
- The innovation of the stage proscenium was developed, which is the area of a theater surrounding the stage opening.
- Backdrops for every scenery were popularized by the arts of painting clothes.
Roman Theater
- Roman theater started in the 3rd century B.C. and had varied and interesting art forms such as festival performances of street theatre, acrobatics, and the staging of comedies of Plautus.
- The usual themes for Roman theater plays were chariot races, gladiators, and public executions.
- The Romans loved to watch blood sports and gladiator competitions.
Test your knowledge on the elaborate masques, Commedia dell'arte, and the prominent supporter of theater, Queen Elizabeth I, during the Elizabethan era. Learn about the famous actor and poet William Shakespeare and his contributions to English literature.
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