English Renaissance Theatre

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Questions and Answers

English Renaissance theatre is considered to have begun with the performance of which play?

  • Doctor Faustus
  • The Tragedie of Gorboduc (correct)
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Richard II

Queen Elizabeth I reigned from 1558 to 1603 and had a notable interest in the arts.

True (A)

What year was the Globe Theatre built in London?

  • 1614
  • 1603
  • 1599 (correct)
  • 1562

Which of the following describes a characteristic of English Renaissance plays?

<p>Range of genres from comedies to tragedies and history plays (B)</p>
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During the early Renaissance period, theatre companies were rarely supported by wealthy patrons.

<p>False (B)</p>
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What was a common practice for theatre companies in Renaissance England regarding their performances?

<p>Changing the play they performed every few days (C)</p>
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What impact did the wide audience demographic have on Renaissance theatre?

<p>It broadened the themes of plays to appeal to a wider audience. (C)</p>
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Actors and playwrights during the Renaissance were highly compensated due to the established nature of the theatre industry.

<p>False (B)</p>
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What was a key function of costumes in Renaissance theatre?

<p>To designate character's social class (B)</p>
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Which of the following is true regarding costumes in English Renaissance theatre?

<p>Costumes were reused frequently due to their expense. (A)</p>
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Women were allowed to perform on stage during the Renaissance.

<p>False (B)</p>
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Name the two playwrights who wrote 'The Tragedie of Gorboduc'.

<p>Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville</p>
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Plays based on real historical events but with some fictionalization are known as ______ plays.

<p>history</p>
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Which of these plays is an example of a tragedy from the English Renaissance?

<p>Romeo and Juliet (D)</p>
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Name two examples of history plays from the English Renaissance.

<p>Richard II and King John</p>
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What is the central theme explored in Christopher Marlowe's 'Doctor Faustus'?

<p>The corruption of a theology professor (B)</p>
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During the English Renaissance, costumes for upper-class characters were typically brightly colored and ______.

<p>adorned</p>
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Match the following plays with their genre:

<p>Romeo and Juliet = Tragedy Henry V = History Play Doctor Faustus = Tragedy</p>
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What role did patronage by rich aristocrats and royals play in the English Renaissance theatre, and what constraints did it impose on theatre companies?

<p>Patronage provided companies with better resources to perform their plays, but they also had to be careful not to include anything that might offend their patrons.</p>
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How did the composition of audiences in Renaissance theatre differ from that of previous periods, and what impact did this have?

<p>Renaissance theatre drew audiences from all social classes, which influenced playwrights to create broader and more universally relatable themes. (C)</p>
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Flashcards

Renaissance Theatre Start

English Renaissance theatre began in 1562 with the performance of the play 'The Tragedie of Gorboduc'.

Queen Elizabeth I's impact

Associated with Queen Elizabeth I (reigned 1558-1603), who had a great interest in the arts and a personal flair for the dramatic.

The Globe Theatre

A famous London theatre built in 1599, associated with William Shakespeare.

Renaissance Play Genres

Plays ranged from comedies to tragedies to history plays.

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Wealthy Patronage

Theatre companies were often supported by aristocrats and royals, providing resources but requiring careful content.

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Established Theatres Benefit

Companies had a base to work from and could create more substantial productions.

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Varying Performances

Companies changed plays every few days and did not do extended runs of a particular play.

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Wide Audience

Accessible to people of all classes, impacting play themes.

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Low Pay

The pay for actors and playwrights was very low, with most money going into play production.

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Costumes

Central to Renaissance theatre due to sparse set design; reused frequently due to expense.

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Costume Function

Designated a character's class; upper classes wore bright, adorned clothing, while lower classes wore simpler, duller clothing.

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Female Roles

Women were banned from performing on stage; female roles were played by young boys.

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Doctor Faustus (1592)

A tragedy by Christopher Marlowe about a theology professor corrupted by forbidden knowledge.

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Tragedy Play

Features tragic heroes experiencing downfall due to their actions and flaws.

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Henry V (1599)

A history play by William Shakespeare about the young King Henry V invading France.

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History Play

Plays based on real historical events, often with some fictionalization.

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Study Notes

  • English Renaissance theatre began in 1562.
  • It started with the play "The Tragedie of Gorboduc(1561)" by Thomas Norton (1532-1584) and Thomas Sackville (1536-1608).
  • English Renaissance theatre is associated with Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), who reigned from 1558 to 1603.
  • Queen Elizabeth was interested in the arts and had a personal flair for drama.
  • The Globe Theatre, associated with William Shakespeare, was built in London in 1599 and became a major theatrical hub.
  • English Renaissance plays included comedies, tragedies, and history plays.
  • Early Renaissance theatre companies were supported by aristocrats and royals.
  • Patronage gave companies resources but required them to avoid offending patrons.
  • Established theatres gave companies a base for substantial productions.
  • Theatre companies did not perform extended runs of a play, changing them every few days.
  • Renaissance theatre was accessible to all classes, influencing broader play themes.
  • Actors and playwrights were paid very little, with most company money going to play production.
  • Costumes were essential in Renaissance theatre, as set design was sparse.
  • Costumes were expensive and reused frequently.
  • Costumes indicated a character's class in Renaissance theatre.
  • Upper-class characters wore bright, adorned clothing.
  • Lower-class characters wore simple, dull clothing.
  • Typical Elizabethan costumes included corsets, wide-skirted dresses, and ruffled collars for women.
  • Men wore ruffled shirts, thick jackets called doublets, and stockings.
  • Women were banned from performing on stage during the Renaissance.
  • Female roles were played by young boys.
  • Women were allowed to become actresses during the reign of King Charles II (1630-1685).
  • Doctor Faustus (1592) is a tragedy by Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593).
  • The play is based on a German story about a professor of theology, Faustus, who becomes corrupted.
  • Tragedy mediates on serious, dark themes and features tragic heroes who experience downfall due to their actions/flaws.
  • Examples of tragedies include Romeo and Juliet (1597) by William Shakespeare and The Duchess of Malfi (1614) by John Webster (1580-1632).
  • Henry V (1599) is a history play by William Shakespeare.
  • It follows King Henry V as he tries to overcome his past by invading France.
  • History plays are based on real historical events, with some fictionalization.
  • Examples of history plays include Richard II (1597) and King John (1623).
  • History plays were popular during the English Renaissance, offering fictional analyses of real historical events.

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