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Renaissance
The period called to as the Renaissance is seen as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the modern world. There was a growth in everything artistic, which included the theatre. During this "rebirth," there was a renewed interest in the classics. This idea is called neoclassicism which are new creations inspired by the Greek and Roman classics. The Italian government, for example, would pay for the production of plays originally produced in ancient Rome, but translated into Italian. These were incredibly popular.
While theatre in the Middle Ages was controlled by the Church and created by amateurs, Renaissance theatre saw the development of theatre as a real profession. Acting became a paid position. Buildings were constructed for the purpose of housing plays. Developments in sets and lighting were huge. When we look at Renaissance Theatre, we look to Italy and England.
Banquet Scene in a Renaissance Hall. Image is in the public domain.
Commedia dell'Arte
One of the largest additions made by Italy was the creation of opera, which we have already discussed. A second, equally important creation was Commedia dell'Arte which was comedy of artists. Commedia dell'Arte was a combination of improvisation and stock characters who were stereotypical, fictional character in literature. Commedia dell'Arte was performed by professionals because of the complex nature of the performances; from the scripts to the costumes, every aspect of a production was planned. Planned, but not planned!
An scene from commedia dell'arte with an Innamorati, Zanni, and Pantalone. Image is in the public domain.
Stock Characters
First, let's discuss some of the common stock characters in Commedia dell'Arte.
- Arlechino/Zanni – acrobatic servant; foolish; interacts with the audience, trickster, always hungry, sleeps in strange locations
Arlechino/Zanni. Image is from public domain. - Capitano – seems powerful, but an arrogant coward; unsuccessful in love; foreigner
The commedia del'arte figure of the Spanish Captain.. Image is from public domain. - Colombina – gossipy servant to female innamorati; sees situation for what it is; flirtatious; smart
Columbine, year 1683. Image is from public domain. - Dottore – old; obstacle to lovers; teacher; likes alcohol and chocolate; cheater; unfaithful
Costume design for The Doctor by Talia Felix. Image is from public domain. - Innamorati – the lovers; extremely emotional; educated, but inexperienced; focus of play
The Kiss. Image is from public domain. - Pantalone – wealthy merchant obstacle to love always form Venice; old; loves money; inhumane
Pantalone year 1550. Image is from public domain.
Actors and Characters
Often, actors would portray the same stock character throughout their careers. They became experts on the character. They would master the characters stance such as how a character stands and gait such as how a character moves.
Now, select one of the characters that you find most interesting. Visit the following links and think about the traits an actor would use to present each character. You can also do your own research online!
- Commedia dell'Arte Characters, Italy Mask
- Character Descriptions of Stock Characters of the Commedia Dell'Arte, Talia Felix
- The Stock Characters, Xavier (look at slides 12-30)
Scenarios
As performances moved from location to location, the actors would interact with other actors while in character to tell a story through an improvisation that built to a funny peak. It is important to understand that, unlike the theatre we have learned about thus far, Commedia dell'Arte did not rely on scripts. Instead the actors used scenarios which are series of events. These were lists of exits, entrances, and actions pinned to the back of the curtain. A series of events could include improvisation, mime, lazzi such as stock comic routines, clowning, and masks to reveal these scenarios. An example of a lazzi could be the following:
- a stock character is brushing her hair and the brush gets stuck,
- she tries to untangle the brush with no luck,
- pulls harder on the brush with more pain,
- use both hands to pull on brush with panting effort,
- lay on floor and pull on brush with hands and feet,
- call for a friend to help, and
- the brush yanks the wig off and flies aross the room with the brush still tangled in hair.
This is exactly how a lazzi scenario is created!
Woman brushing hair and washing face. Image is in the public domain.
The masks had exaggerated features in line with their characters. Audience members were familiar with Commedia dell'Arte and would know a character by the mask and costume the actor was wearing.
A scence from Commedia dell'Arte. Image is in the public domain.
Playwrights
Although no playwrights or scripts came out of Commedia dell'Arte, many of the ideas developed with it had an impact on the theatre following the Renaissance. Additionally, it influenced playwrights of the time, like Moliere.
Portrait of Moliere. Image is in the public domain.
Moliere is an actor, director, and playwright from France who is best known for the creation of French comedy. At first, both religious and non-religious powers were united against him. But, with the talent of his writing, he gained great success. Although comedy was not new, Moliere's comedy was based on new ideas; he based his comedy on opposition. His plays were also primarily set in Paris. He wrote in the neoclassical style, but added more imagination to it. He wrote in both natural conversation and hexameter which were lines made up of 6 feet. This means each foot, or beat is made up of two long syllables or one long and two short syllables. Moliere's approach to comedy, poking fun at the establishment, has as much importance today as it did when he created it.
During the later years of the Renaissance, pastoral drama, plays that celebrate the simple lives of those who live in the country, developed. This style of theatre was enjoyed by the wealthy and idealized the lives of the poor. It was a focus on nature and tradition. This style made its way from Italy to England towards the end of the Renaissance.
