Everything you need to know about theatre history but was afraid to ask

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz

Considered the first feminist of the New World, wrote extensively and defended women's rights to education.

The Triumph of Horus

Horus battles Set to avenge his father Osiris and claim his throne; themes include the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Medea by Euripides

Medea, betrayed by her husband Jason, exacts revenge by murdering his new wife and her own sons; explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and gender roles.

Lysistrata by Aristophanes

A comical account of Lysistrata persuading women to withhold sex to end the Peloponnesian War; themes include war and patriarchy.

Sakuntala by Kalidasa

The tale of King Dushyanta's love and subsequent rejection of Shakuntala, highlighting themes of spirituality and duty.

Dulcitius by Hrosvitha

Follows three Christian sisters persecuted for their faith under Diocletian; themes include faith, divine intervention, and morality.

Everyman

Everyman seeks companions before judgment, ultimately achieving salvation; themes include the inevitability of death and moral accountability.

The Crucifixion

Depicts the crucifixion of Jesus through the eyes of Roman soldiers, contrasting their cruelty with Jesus’ forgiveness; themes include redemption and compassion.

The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare

Petruchio attempts to 'tame' the strong-willed Katharina while her sister Bianca's suitors compete for her love; themes include gender roles and marriage.

Life is a Dream by Calderón de la Barca

Prince Segismundo, imprisoned by his father due to a prophecy, struggles with identity and freedom; themes include free will and honor.

Rabinal Achi

A captured warrior dances a dance of death, reflecting his connection to homeland and cultural pride amid impending execution; themes include war and sacrifice.

Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs

Spanish forces, led by Hernán Cortés, defeated the Aztecs in 1521, resulting in the capture of their emperor Moctezuma II.

Catholic Colonization in New Spain

The Catholic Church aimed to convert indigenous peoples, believing in universal salvation and recognizing marriages between Europeans and natives.

Indigenous Assimilation

The Catholic Church established systems for indigenous people to assimilate to European values during the colonial period in Mexico.

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz

A prominent 17th-century writer and advocate for women's education; entered a convent at 18 to escape marriage and pursue learning.

Sor Juana's Literary Contributions

Sor Juana wrote love poems, songs, comedia nuevas, sacred poems, and theology, defending women's right to education.

The Court's Interest in Sor Juana

Despite her seclusion in a convent, the court continued to visit Sor Juana for her performances and advice.

Church Restrictions on Sor Juana

The Church pressured Sor Juana to stop her studies, compelling her to write a vow in her own blood to cease her intellectual pursuits.

The Loa of the Divine Narcissus

A prologue to an autos sacramentales that serves as an allegory of the Spanish conversion of indigenous peoples to Christianity.

Aztec Empire

A military empire that expanded by conquering neighboring tribes and established its capital at Tenochtitlan.

Tenochtitlan

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, known for its impressive architecture and complex urban planning.

Aztec Sacrifice

A practice that involved the ritual sacrifice of many people, believed to appease gods and ensure agricultural fertility.

Diego Duran

A Dominican friar who wrote "The History of the Indies of New Spain," documenting Aztec rituals and critiquing colonial practices.

Tezcatlipoca

The Aztec god of the night sky and conflict, central to many aspects of Aztec mythology.

Tlaloc

The Aztec god of rain and thunder, essential for agriculture and often invoked for water-related needs.

Huitzilopochtli

The patron god of the Mexica people, associated with warfare and childbirth.

Cihuacoatl

The Aztec goddess of fertility and motherhood, representing the earth and childbirth.

Quetzalcoatl

The Aztec god of wind and wisdom, known as the patron of the priesthood.

Antichrist Plays

Dramatic narratives featuring a false messiah figure, often mocking Christ's majesty and performing deceptive miracles.

Two Witnesses

Figures in Antichrist plays, often Old Testament prophets, who confront the Antichrist and preach against his false doctrine.

The Hermit

A character in Antichrist theatre who denounces idol worship and promotes Christianity, primarily to indigenous peoples.

Papantla

A town in Mexico known for the ritual performance of the Voladores, or Flyers.

Mysterious Decline of the Mayans

The potential decline of the Mayan civilization attributed to factors like environmental degradation.

Papantla Voladores

A traditional Mexican ceremony that involves acrobatics and dancing to invoke rain during drought.

Voladores

Participants in the Papantla Voladores ceremony who perform aerial feats by spiraling down from a tall pole.

Rain Ceremony-Dance

A sacred dance performed by the Voladores as part of their ritual to please the god of fertility and bring rain.

Tall Pole Selection

The ritual begins with the careful selection of the tallest, straightest tree, symbolizing the connection with nature and the divine.

Traditional Costumes

Costumes worn by the Voladores that are adorned with symbolic elements, representing cultural heritage and spirituality.

Launching from the Platform

The act where the Voladores tie themselves to ropes and launch backward off a small platform, representing a connection with the heavens.

Historical Context of Egyptian Theatre

Egyptian theatre emerged as a form of artistic expression tied to religious rituals and nationalism, serving to promote national pride.

The Triumph of Horus

Considered the oldest known Egyptian play, it depicts the battle between Horus and Set, emphasizing themes of divine justice and national identity.

Medieval Theatre Origins

Medieval theatre began in the 5th century AD after the fall of Rome, evolving from religious rites and ceremonies.

End of Medieval Theatre

The Reformation in the 16th century signaled a decline in medieval theatre, as the church's influence waned.

Spanish Golden Age Overview

The Spanish Golden Age began after the unification of Spain under Ferdinand and Isabel, and it flourished during the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Moors in Spain

The Moors ruled parts of Spain for several centuries, influencing its culture, language, and the arts during the medieval period.

The English Renaissance

The English Renaissance began with Henry Tudor's ascension to the throne, marking a resurgence in arts and culture that continued until the English Civil War.

Shakespeare's Theatrical Innovations

Shakespeare broke classical conventions by not adhering to the three unities and instead employed a five-act structure in his plays.

Influence of Shakespeare

Shakespeare significantly contributed to the English language, inventing numerous words and phrases that are still in use today.

Decline of the Mayan Civilization

The decline of the Mayan civilization is theorized to be linked to environmental factors, such as deforestation and resource depletion.

Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs

In 1521, Spanish forces led by Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztecs and captured Emperor Moctezuma II, leading to significant cultural shifts.

Catholic Colonization in Colonial Mexico

Spanish colonial efforts included the conversion of indigenous peoples to Catholicism, emphasizing the church's authority and influence.

Syncretism in Religion

Syncretism refers to the blending of different religious and cultural traditions, exemplified by the Catholic Church's incorporation of indigenous practices.

Theatron

The viewing space in ancient Greek theatres where the audience sat.

Orchestra

The dancing space in ancient Greek theatre, a circular area used for chorus performances.

Proscenium

The area in front of the stage in a theatre, often framed by an arch.

Skene

Originally referred to a tent or hut, it was the structure behind the stage in Greek theatre used for dressing and storage.

Parados

The entrance to the orchestra in ancient Greek theatres, used by the chorus.

Morality Plays

A genre of medieval theatre performed frequently in churches, focusing on moral lessons.

Mystery Plays

Medieval theatrical performances depicting biblical stories, often presented on pageant wagons.

Castle of Perseverance

The first surviving example of set design from medieval theatre.

Teatro Olimpico

The oldest surviving stage set from the Italian Renaissance, built of wood and plaster.

Flexible Staging

A characteristic of Comedia del Arte that allowed performances to occur without permanent buildings.

Autos Sacramentales

Religious plays of the Spanish Golden Age performed outdoors in public spaces using moving stages known as carros.

Corrales

Open-air theatres used during the Spanish Golden Age, which had designated areas for women.

Elizabethan Public Theatres

The style of theatres in the English Renaissance that were unroofed, circular or octagonal with an elevated thrust stage.

The Globe Theatre

The first permanent theatre in England, built after dismantling The Theatre, located on the south bank of the Thames.

Triumph of Horus

The oldest known Egyptian play, evidenced by temple carvings and dialogue indicating performance.

Catharsis in Greek Tragedy

The emotional purification experienced by the audience through the release of emotions.

Aspects of Greek Comedy

Includes verbal humor, comedy of character, plot complications, and the suspension of natural laws.

Perspective in Italian Renaissance Theatre

Introduced single-point perspective in set design, enhancing visual focus.

Commedia dell'arte

An improvised theatrical form descended from Roman mimes, characterized by itinerant acting troupes.

Women on the European Stage

Marked the first time women were permitted to perform onstage in Europe through Commedia dell'arte.

Rise of Professional Acting Companies

The emergence of professional acting troupes in Western Europe during the Italian Renaissance, elevating theatre as an art form.

Improvisation as an Art Form

Commedia dell'arte developed improvisation into a recognized and respected theatrical art form.

Greek New Comedy

A style focused on sexual and political satire, often exploring domestic situations and personal relationships.

Greek Old Comedy

A theatrical style that dealt primarily with domestic issues and socio-political satire.

Sanskrit Theatre

A prominent theatre form known for its integrated use of music, dance, poetry, dialogue, and elaborate costumes.

Rasa

In Sanskrit theatre, rasa refers to the taste or essence of sublime emotion experienced by the audience.

Bhava

Facial expressions in Sanskrit theatre that convey emotional states and enhance the performance.

Mudras

Hand gestures used in Sanskrit theatre to express specific meanings and emotions.

Kahanas

Dance positions in Sanskrit theatre that contribute to the storytelling and aesthetic quality of the performance.

Italian Renaissance Theatre

A period marked by the development of acting styles that combined classical traditions with innovative performances.

Comedia del Arte

An Italian theatrical form characterized by stock characters, improvisation, and physical comedy.

Pantalone

A stock character in Comedia del Arte; a rich, gullible old man prone to jealousy and fear of infidelity.

Doctorre

A Comedia del Arte character; a pretentious scholar who is unaware of his wife's infidelity.

Il Capitano

A boastful and hyper-masculine stock character in Comedia del Arte, often portrayed as a coward in romantic pursuits.

Innamorato and Innamorati

The handsome, unmasked lovers in Comedia del Arte whose romantic pursuits drive the plot.

Harlequin

A clever, agile servant character in Comedia del Arte, known for his slapstick humor and acrobatics.

Colombina

A cunning and flirtatious servant character in Comedia del Arte, often involved in romantic plots.

Pulcinella

A violent and deceitful servant character in Comedia del Arte, known for his brutish behavior.

Brighella

A smart and shrewd servant in Comedia del Arte, who helps young lovers while being opportunistic.

Lazzi

Physical comedy gags that are either planned or improvised in Comedia del Arte performances.

Hunger Lazzi

A type of lazzi where actors portray exaggerated hunger, often eating inanimate objects humorously.

Animal Mimicry Lazzi

A lazzi involving an actor pretending to be various animals for comedic effect.

Attempted Suicide Lazzi

A comedic lazzi where an actor pretends to attempt suicide but fails in an exaggerated, humorous way.

Scenarios in Comedia del Arte

Roughly outlined plots that lack scripted dialogue, allowing for improvisation by the actors.

English Renaissance Theatre

The period in which theatre became a business with regular performances and male-only acting troupes.

Lord Chamberlain's Men

The most popular acting troupe of the English Renaissance, with Shakespeare as a key member.

The King's Men

The rebranded Lord Chamberlain's Men after being acquired by King James, marking royal patronage.