Theory Lesson 4
Morality Plays
- Type of allegory
- Protagonist is met by personifications of various moral attributed
- Antagonist try to prompt protagonist to choose between good and evil
- Most popular during Europe 15th and 16th centuries
- Rome was powerful as they had a strong army
- However territory spread and became difficult to protect
- Other tribes came in and fought
- Gradually Rome was loosing battles
- "Rome Fell" (500 AD)
- Most of population was illiterate
- Church realised they could educate using theatre
- Theatre = powerful tool of communicating religion to the masses
- Church educated the preparation for the Day of Judgment
- Performers would travel lightly
- Improvised stages
- Church said theatre could continue only if it was religious in nature
- Medieval time = Dark ages (1000 years)
- Depressing and low economy
- Plague
- Priests acted parts of bible
- Nativity plays
- Christmas time
- Reenact story of Jesus' birth
- Tradition
- Easter time
- Resurrection
- Evolved to include important events
- Noah's arc
- Cabe & Able
- etc
- Theatrical performances
- Street players
- Jugglers
- Acrobats
- Animal trainers
- Eradicate superstition and pagan religion
- Halloween
- Spirits
- Magic
- Big presence in religious holidays and seasonal festivals
- Characters would have been played by priests of church
- Evolved into actors
- Also would have choir
- Catholic countries even today
- Reenact crucifixion and major events in the bible
- Spain
- Italy
- South American countries too
- Some dilemma within church
- Overtime the church doubted the value
- Congregation enjoyed and did not want to kill off theatre
- As it was attracted a vast audience
- Benefactors spent more money to grow plays
- Travelled in wagons to inform all communities
- Could hold
- Changing room
- Scenery
- Props
- etc
- Started adding sub plots and element of humour
- Eventually settings became more permanent
- Elevated area = heaven
- Low area = hell
- Also would have flames
- Hell mouth became the most popular part of stage
- Due to special effects
- Scenes would be dramatised around the life of christ
- Umbrella term of Medieval Plays
- Morality Plays
- Mystery Plays
- Miracle Plays
By the end of this time theatre would have established itself as a part of society.
Independent Research:
This is a strong introduction and I like that you have included images to support your notes; you should continue to do this as well as adding links to relevant sources, and remember that you can enhance the information you gather with your own independent research into a specific area that might interest you.
ReplyDelete