French Ren quiz (God help us all)

Name three important historical facts about the French Renaissance.

• religious controversies

• 1625; Cardinal Richilieu

• France is the cultural center of Europe

What are the five key points that Cardinal Richelieu wanted for France?

• French stage needed drastic reform

• Look to Italy for guidance

• Adapt to proscenium stage and perspective scenery

• Adhere to the theoretical principles

• Follow neoclassical ideals

What are the 5 French characteristics of neoclassical ideals?

• Only two legitimate forms of drama (tragedy/comedy)

• Tragedy deals with affairs of the state

• Comedy deals with love

• The two forms should never mix

• The purpose of drama is to teach and please

When did Opera come to France?

The second half of the century

Where were plays performed?

• Public theatres

• Private residencies

• At court

• At universities

Where were early plays of the French Renaissance performed?

In existing structures, like a tennis court

When did performances take place? What did Theatrical Representations encompass?

• Twice a week

• Theatrical representations had a comic prologue, a tragedy, tragicomedy, farce, and a final song

Describe where spectators sat during public performances.

• Nobles sat on the side

• spectators were vocal during the performance

• section in front of stage was for men

• Elegant people watched from galleries

Were women allowed to perform? Describe.

Yes, there were no restrictions. But they were not seen as high in society

Name the 5 main requirements of a Neoclassical Drama?

• 5 acts

• unity of time

• unity of place

• unity of action

  • “Poetic justice” to triumph

Name the 5 characteristics of the play “Le Cid.”

• most popular play written in France

• does not follow neoclassical rules

• praised for its qualities of writing

• influenced by Spanish tales

• conflict between society and personal choice

What playwright was the source of tragic theatre?

Seneca

What 2 Greek playwrights became important by the middle of the century?

Sophocles and Euripides

What two Spanish playwrights were important models for the French?

• Lope de Vega

• Triso de Molina

What influence did the Italian Theatre have on French Theatre?

• neoclassical ideas

• technical theatre design

Who were the most important playwrights of the French Renaissance?

• Jon Baptiste Moliere

• Jean Racine

• Pierre Corneille

Describe Pierre Corneille. Name a play written by him.

• Greatest classical tragic dramatist

• created the Corneillian hero

• Le Cid

Describe Jean Racine. Name a play written by him.

• fusion between Greek ideas and Jansenist beliefs

• Phaedra

Describe Jean Baptiste Moliere. Name a play written by him.

• father of French comedy of manners

• composed 12 of the most poignant comedies of all time

• Tartuffe

What is Moliere credited with giving the French

Comedy of Manners

Why is Moliere’s death important? Describe.

He wasn’t buried in the graveyard because the church would not allow it