TH 210 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Passion Play, Morality Play, Stained Glass
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Lecture 8: Medieval Theatre
Who is responsible for the largest theatre ever built in rome----- pompey
Christian Era begins
The Holy Roman Empire Begins and symbol of rome changes- one side is empire and other is
god
What does Constantine do
He moves the Roman Capital to Constantinople which is present day Istanbul
Bridge that connects Europe to Asia here
He moved it too bc it is also an imp waterway for goods and istanbul has hills so easier to
defend if invaded
Drama in Greek tradition sides and theatres fall into ruin
Less need for wealthy sponsors for power and christina are not big supporters of theatre bc
critical of religion
Two Imp Outcomes
1/ The4 art of acting is forgotten
Evidence of any Dramatic writing outside the liturgy does not exist for the next 1000 years
No plays for 1000 years :(
Eistig plays are storytellings but no written plays just biblical writing
Liturgy- God Liturgy in greek
How is the Medieval Audience diff from the greeks and romans
Medieval Culture is primarily agricultural
Agricultural peasants are what most ppl are 95% of all ppl
No incentive for person who owns castle to educate the ppl cuz giving them power so
disempower them-- illiterate
A rural and illiterate culture
Perfect environment to build churches and convert them
Pagan festivals converted mostly to Christianity but some still retain some hint of pagan roots
Winter solstice time when light starts to happen but is darkest day of year
Like the greeks medieval drama begins with seed and roots of new performance’
Break into 3 periods
Early- latin
Middle- latin
Late- vernacular
The Early Period
Spread off into the countryside
Interior Liturgical Drama
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Who is responsible for the largest theatre ever built in rome----- pompey. The holy roman empire begins and symbol of rome changes- one side is empire and other is god. He moves the roman capital to constantinople which is present day istanbul. He moved it too bc it is also an imp waterway for goods and istanbul has hills so easier to defend if invaded. Drama in greek tradition sides and theatres fall into ruin. Less need for wealthy sponsors for power and christina are not big supporters of theatre bc critical of religion. Evidence of any dramatic writing outside the liturgy does not exist for the next 1000 years. Eistig plays are storytellings but no written plays just biblical writing. How is the medieval audience diff from the greeks and romans. Agricultural peasants are what most ppl are 95% of all ppl.
