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> Signup and view all the answers

During the early Renaissance period, theatre companies were rarely supported by wealthy patrons.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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> Signup and view all the answers

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> Signup and view all the answers

Actors and playwrights during the Renaissance were highly compensated due to the established nature of the theatre industry.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key function of costumes in Renaissance theatre?

<p>To designate character's social class (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding costumes in English Renaissance theatre?

<p>Costumes were reused frequently due to their expense. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Women were allowed to perform on stage during the Renaissance.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name the two playwrights who wrote 'The Tragedie of Gorboduc'.

<p>Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville</p> Signup and view all the answers

Plays based on real historical events but with some fictionalization are known as ______ plays.

<p>history</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these plays is an example of a tragedy from the English Renaissance?

<p>Romeo and Juliet (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two examples of history plays from the English Renaissance.

<p>Richard II and King John</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the central theme explored in Christopher Marlowe's 'Doctor Faustus'?

<p>The corruption of a theology professor (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the English Renaissance, costumes for upper-class characters were typically brightly colored and ______.

<p>adorned</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plays with their genre:

<p>Romeo and Juliet = Tragedy Henry V = History Play Doctor Faustus = Tragedy</p> Signup and view all the answers

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> Signup and view all the answers

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> Signup and view all the answers

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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