French Neoclassical Theatre Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Describe the theatrical practices in France during the early part of the 17th century.

No scenes, still like medieval and no scenic effects, religious arch.

Name two people who were extremely influential in the introduction of Italian theatrical practices to France.

Cardinal Richelieu and Catherine de Medicci.

What was the Confrerie de la Passion?

Played and presented religious plays.

What were the contributions of the Hotel de Bourgogne to French theatre?

Hotel de Bourgogne. Signup and view all the answers

What is the French Academy?

40 writers, settled debates over dramatic theory and criticism, and still in existence. Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for Palais Royal's creation?

Cardinal Richelieu. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Pierre Corneille?

Society of Five authors wrote comedy and tragedy. Wrote El Cid which was about 2 lovers. He strictly obeyed the rules of Neoclassicism and was elected to the French Academy in 1647. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the controversy surrounding Pierre Corneille's play Le Cid.

It was dramatically implausible and morally defective since the man killed his lover's father. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Jean Racine?

He wrote tragedies and strictly adhered to the Neoclassical form. Wrote in rhyming couplets and wrote Phaedra. He started right before the climax. Signup and view all the answers

What was Phaedra about?

Stepmom falls in love with stepson and then hears the king dies in battle so she tells the stepson and he does not love her back. Then the king is alive and she tells the king that the son loves her, so he kills his son; then the stepmom kills herself. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Moliere?

Jean Baptist Poquelin. He was an actor and dramatist. Signup and view all the answers

What were Moliere's contributions to French theatre?

Wrote Tartuffe, wrote in farce, he was critical and poked fun at society. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of Moliere's acting troupe?

The Theatre Illustre. Signup and view all the answers

What types of dramatic works did Moliere write?

Tartuffe. Signup and view all the answers

Moliere was well known for shocking audiences. How did he do so?

Criticized theatre manners, rival theatre companies, and aristocracy. Signup and view all the answers

Which Italian form of theatre greatly influenced Moliere's writing?

Comedia dell' Arte. Signup and view all the answers

What was the biggest controversy surrounding Moliere's play Tartuffe?

Made a religious figure look bad. Signup and view all the answers

Describe French acting companies.

Had women, short rehearsal periods, repertory theatres (did a lot of plays) and provided their own costumes. Signup and view all the answers

What are societaries?

Owned stock in an acting company. Signup and view all the answers

What are pennsionaries?

Paid actors. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Giacomo Torelli?

Italian architect 'Great Wizard' helped build Italian theatres. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the Theatre du Marais?

2nd Theatre built. Signup and view all the answers

Why did 17th century French tennis courts make good theatres?

It was long and narrow and already had seats. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Palais Royal?

1st proscenium arch theatre in France and had Italian scene-shifting machinery. Signup and view all the answers

What was Palais Royal's original name?

Palais Cardinal. Signup and view all the answers

Who commissioned Palais Royal?

Cardinal Richelieu. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Palais Royal significant?

1st proscenium arch theatre in France. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Salle des Machines?

'Hall of Machines'. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Salle des Machines built?

Built in honor of Louis XIV's marriage ceremony. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways is the Salle des Machines significant?

Largest theatre in Europe, had Italian machinery and was so big it was not good to use. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Comedie Francaise?

1st National Theatre in the world and it was established in 1680. Signup and view all the answers

Who established the Comedie Francaise?

Louis XIV. Signup and view all the answers

What three troupes made up the Comedie Francaise?

Marias, Bourgogne, and Moliere's troupe. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

French Neoclassical Theatre Overview

Early 17th-century theatre in France lacked scenic effects, resembling medieval practices, and often featured religious themes.
Notable figures in introducing Italian theatrical practices were Cardinal Richelieu and Catherine de Medicci.

Important Organizations and Contributions

The Confrérie de la Passion was instrumental in presenting religious plays.
The Hôtel de Bourgogne was a major venue for French theatre during this period.
The French Academy, consisting of 40 writers, played a pivotal role in debating dramatic theory and criticism, still active today.

Key Personalities in French Theatre

Cardinal Richelieu was responsible for creating the Palais Royal theatre.
Pierre Corneille was a prominent playwright who produced comedies and tragedies, including "El Cid," and adhered strictly to Neoclassical rules; he joined the French Academy in 1647.
Jean Racine, famous for tragedies like "Phaedra," employed rhyming couplets and adhered to Neoclassical forms, beginning his works just before climactic moments.
Molière, born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, was an actor and dramatist known for his social critique through humor, authoring works like "Tartuffe."

Major Works and Controversies

Corneille's "Le Cid" faced criticism for its dramatic implausibility and moral concerns after one character kills another's father.
Molière's "Tartuffe" sparked controversy for its negative portrayal of a religious figure and was notable for its farcical approach.

Acting Companies and Structures

French acting companies included women, had short rehearsal times, produced numerous plays, and used self-provided costumes.
Societaries were members who owned stock in the acting company, while pensionaries were paid actors.

Architectural Innovations in Theatre

Giacomo Torelli, known as the "Great Wizard," was an Italian architect who influenced theatre design in France.
The Théâtre du Marais was the second theatre built in France, while the Palais Royal, originally named Palais Cardinal, was significant as the first proscenium arch theatre, utilizing Italian scenic machinery.
The Salle des Machines, built for Louis XIV’s marriage, was the largest theatre in Europe, featuring advanced Italian machinery but proved impractical due to its size.

Establishment of National Theatre

The Comédie-Française, established by Louis XIV in 1680, is regarded as the first national theatre in the world, comprised of the troupes from Marias, Bourgogne, and Molière’s company.

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Explore the key concepts and influential figures of French Neoclassical theatre in the 17th century. This quiz covers theatrical practices, significant contributors, and important organizations of the era. Ideal for students studying French drama and theatre history.