Neoclassicism and French Theatre Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What does decorum refer to?

  • A style of art
  • An architectural technique
  • A form of government
  • Appropriateness of behavior or conduct (correct)

    • Who ruled France with an iron fist for 60 years?

    King Louis XIV of France

    What does 'L'etat, c'est moi!' mean?

    The state is me, I am the nation

    What is Le Grand Siecle?

    <p>The reign of Louis XIV</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Cardinal Richelieu?

    <p>Chief minister of France</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Academie Francaise?

    <p>An institution charged with standardizing and protecting the French language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterized Neoclassicism?

    <p>Interest in classical cultures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following unities with their definitions:

    <p>Unity of Time = Action in a play should take place over no more than 24 hours Unity of Place = A play should cover a single physical space Unity of Action = A play should have one main action without subplots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is verisimilitude?

    <p>The quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'Utile Dolci' refer to?

    <p>Theatre has two purposes: to entertain and to teach moral lessons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is purity of genre?

    <p>No mixing of dramatic elements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Pierre Corneille?

    <p>A tragedian best known for his 1637 play 'Le Cid'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the Confriere de la Passion?

    <p>Association of amateur actors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Hotel de Bourgogne?

    <p>Building the theatre is in</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Theatre du Marais?

    <p>Converted from a tennis court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Comedie Francaise?

    <p>The world's first national theatre</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Sebastiano Serlio?

    <p>An Italian Mannerist architect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Giacomo Torelli create?

    <p>The pole-and-chariot system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is single point perspective?

    <p>A technique for achieving a sense of depth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the chariot-and-pole system?

    <p>A system for scene changes constructed by Giacomo Torelli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between descriptive and prescriptive criticism?

    <p>Descriptive criticism observes without judgment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does didactic mean?

    <p>Theatre intended to instruct</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Key Terms in Neoclassicism and French Neoclassical Theatre

    • Decorum

      • Refers to behavior and conduct suitable to a character's social status and situation.

    • King Louis XIV of France

      • Ruled for 60 years with an absolute monarchy, asserting that this was the ideal government.
      • Sought total control and awareness of his kingdom’s affairs.

    • "L'etat, c'est moi!"

      • Translates to "The state is me," emphasizing King Louis XIV's belief in his absolute authority.

    • Le Grand Siecle

      • The era of Louis XIV's reign, recognized as a peak of French political and cultural influence.

    • Cardinal Richelieu

      • Served as chief minister, curbing noble power and imposing censorship on theatrical plays.

    • Academie Francaise

      • Institution responsible for standardizing the French language and regulating theatrical productions.

    Characteristics of Neoclassicism

    • Neoclassicism
      • An artistic movement beginning in the late 18th century, inspired by ancient Greek and Roman cultures.
      • Featured themes and styles that revitalized classical artistic elements.

    The Three Unities in Drama

    • The Three Unities

      • Framework established by Louis XIV for theater:
        • Unity of Time: Action occurs within a 24-hour period.
        • Unity of Place: The setting remains confined to one physical location.
        • Unity of Action: The narrative focuses on a single main plot without multiple subplots.

    • Verisimilitude

      • Essential for realism in theater, this quality denotes the appearance of truth and likelihood.

    • Utile Dolci

      • The dual purpose of theater is to entertain and impart moral lessons to the audience.

    • Purity of Genre

      • No blending of dramatic forms; tragedies are linked to royalty and conclude unhappily, while comedies involve commoners and typically end in happiness.

    Prominent Figures and Institutions

    • Pierre Corneille

      • Notable tragedian (1606-1684) known for "Le Cid" (1637), which drew criticism for not adhering to conventional rules.

    • Confrière de la Passion

      • An association formed by amateur actors from Parisian merchants and artisans, dedicated to performing religious plays.

    • Hotel de Bourgogne

      • The venue that housed significant theatrical performances.

    • Theatre du Marais

      • Initially a tennis court, later converted into a theater, renowned for its unique stage design and renovations.

    • Comedie Francaise

      • Recognized as the first national theater globally, established in 1680 post-Moliere's death, merging various acting troupes into a single entity.

    Architectural Innovations

    • Sebastiano Serlio

      • Italian architect who contributed to the design of the Palace of Fontainebleau.

    • Giacomo Torelli

      • Innovated the stage with the 'pole-and-chariot' system for efficient scene changes.

    Technical Aspects of Theatre

    • Single Point Perspective

      • An artistic technique to create depth by having all objects recede towards a singular vanishing point.

    • Chariot-and-Pole System

      • Developed by Giacomo Torelli, this system utilized poles and chariots for seamless scene transitions, enhancing stagecraft.

    Criticism in Theatre

    • Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Criticism

      • Descriptive: Observes and analyzes without judgement.
      • Prescriptive: Establishes rules for language use that speakers are expected to follow.

    • Didactic Theatre

      • Aims primarily to instruct and educate the audience through its content.

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    Description

    Explore key terms and concepts related to Neoclassicism and the French Neoclassical Theatre. This set of flashcards covers important figures, phrases, and principles that define this influential artistic movement. Perfect for students and enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of the era.

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