CHAPTER 13 - RENAISSANCE Theatre

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major terms, historical context, and dramatic forms of the Italian Renaissance theatre based on Chapter 13 lecture notes.

Dark Ages

The time period between 500 - 1000 AD named because much of the civilization of the preceding thousand years was in eclipse.

Renaissance

Meaning "rebirth," this period was an awakening to arts and learning that took place from the late 14th to the early 17th centuries, with Italy as the center of activity.

David by Michelangelo

A sculpture of a human being that looked like a real person, representing the Renaissance shift toward subjects humans could identify with rather than otherworldly or "godly" themes.

Perspective

The introduction of three-dimensional painting during the Renaissance.

Humanism

A literature movement of the Renaissance that focused on humans rather than gods.

Intermezzi

Short pieces depicting mythological tales presented between the acts of full-length plays.

Pastorals

A dramatic form that was an imitation of Greek satyr plays but more romantic and less bawdy and sexual.

Opera

Drama set entirely to music; it is the only Italian Renaissance dramatic form that has survived and is considered a part of music rather than theatre.

Commedia dell'arte

Meaning "comedy of professional artists," this form featured traveling troupes of 10 performers (7 men, 3 women) and used recognizable stock characters.

Scenarios

Short plot outlines without set dialogue used in Commedia dell'arte, which were heavily influenced by the comedies of Aristophanes.

Pantelone

A stock character in Commedia dell'arte described as a lecherous old miser.

Capitano

A stock character in Commedia dell'arte described as a cowardly, braggart soldier.