In-Depth Notes on Romanticism and Theatre History

Romanticism in Theatre (1600-1800)

  • Key Historical Context
    • Spanish Golden Age of Theatre (~1590-1681)
    • English Civil War (~1642-1651)
    • Influence of French Neoclassicism (early 16th century)
    • Emergence of French Melodrama (late 18th century)

Spanish Golden Age

  • Cultural Rise
    • Spain solidified its status as a European power by 1492.
    • 16th and 17th centuries saw a surge in live theatre.

Religious Drama

  • Significance
    • Contrast with England's separation from religion.
    • Key Forms:
    • Autos Sacramentales: Sacramental acts linked with the Eucharist.
    • Comedias de Santos: Plays centered on the lives of saints.
    • Transition from Trade guilds to professional troupes.
    • Pageant wagons (Carros): Used for performances; outlawed in 1765.

Secular Drama

  • Important Works
    • Calisto and Melibea: A dialogue novel from 1500.
    • Influence from Italian theatre characterized by themes of country life.
    • Forms including comedies, pastorals, chivalric plays, comedies of manners, mythological plays, and tragicomedies.

Theatre Design

  • Corrales de Comedias
    • Rectangular courtyards enclosed by buildings on three sides.
    • Standing area for spectators called Gradas.
    • Features private boxes and lively audience etiquette.

Themes of the Spanish Golden Age

  • Metaphorical Representation of Life: Theatre serves as a metaphorical reflection of honor, morality, and social conduct.
  • Key Themes:
    • Right versus wrong.
    • Masculine honor tied to women’s chastity.

Notable Playwrights

Felix Lope de Vega (1562-1635)
  • A prolific figure in the Spanish Golden Age.
  • Key themes: Love and honor.
  • Established the 3-act comedia structure in Spanish drama.
Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600-1681)
  • Notable playwright and soldier, later a Roman Catholic priest.
  • Known for poetic beauty and dramatic structure in plays like Life is a Dream (1635).
  • Central themes include free will, fate, and honor.

English Civil War's Impact on Theatre

  • Transition and Censorship:
    • Significant changes in London theatre by the 1630s due to Puritan disapproval.
    • 1642: King Charles I's departure led to theatre bans.
    • 1647: All forms of drama prohibited; theatre activity largely ceased until Charles II's Restoration.

Neoclassical Rules in Theatre

  • Key Principles:
    • Verisimilitude: Onstage action must appear believable.
    • Decorum: Plays should maintain moral standards (good rewarded, bad punished).
    • Unities:
    • Unity of time: Events occur within a single day.
    • Unity of place: Setting is confined to one location.
    • Unity of action: Focus on one main plot.
    • 5-act structure influenced by Roman playwright Seneca and Greek philosopher Aristotle.

Aphra Behn (1640-1689)

  • Significance in Restoration Theatre:
    • One of the first English women to earn a living through writing.
    • Notable works include The Rover, exemplifying Restoration Comedy.
    • Characteristics: Cynical, satirical, and focused on themes of marriage and love.

Restoration Era Theatre

  • Transformation of Theatrical Space:
    • Rise of proscenium theatres in England, expanding accessibility beyond royal patronage.
    • Introduction of female actresses and changes in the social status associated with theatre attendance.
    • Noteworthy shift towards entertainment reflecting Neoclassical ideals, shaping aristocratic society in France during the mid-17th century.