Medieval theatre
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| - | {{Template}}'''Medieval theatre''' refers to the theatre of [[Europe]] between the [[fall of the Roman Empire]] and the beginning of the [[Renaissance]]. The term refers to a variety of genres because the time period covers approximately a thousand years of the art form and an entire continent. Most medieval theatre is not well documented due to a lack of surviving records and texts, a low literacy rate of the general population, and the opposition of the clergy to some types of performance. | + | {{Template}} |
| + | '''Medieval theatre''' refers to the theatre of [[Europe]] between the [[fall of the Roman Empire]] and the beginning of the [[Renaissance]]. The term refers to a variety of genres because the time period covers approximately a thousand years of the art form and an entire continent. Most medieval theatre is not well documented due to a lack of surviving records and texts, a low literacy rate of the general population, and the opposition of the clergy to some types of performance. | ||
| At the beginning of the Middle Ages, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] banned theatrical performances, mostly as an attempt to curb the excesses of the [[Theatre of ancient Rome|Roman theatre]]. The Roman theatre was in decline because the economic and political conditions could not support the vast entertainment industry that had grown up in the empire and included [[circus|circuses]], [[horse racing|horse races]], gladiatorial combat, and the Roman comedies that are still sometimes performed today. | At the beginning of the Middle Ages, the [[Roman Catholic Church]] banned theatrical performances, mostly as an attempt to curb the excesses of the [[Theatre of ancient Rome|Roman theatre]]. The Roman theatre was in decline because the economic and political conditions could not support the vast entertainment industry that had grown up in the empire and included [[circus|circuses]], [[horse racing|horse races]], gladiatorial combat, and the Roman comedies that are still sometimes performed today. | ||
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| *The Wakefield Master - contributor to some of the plays of the [[Wakefield Cycle]], including "The Second Shepherds' Play." His real name is not known. | *The Wakefield Master - contributor to some of the plays of the [[Wakefield Cycle]], including "The Second Shepherds' Play." His real name is not known. | ||
| *[[John Bale]] - English churchman | *[[John Bale]] - English churchman | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Wakefield Mystery Plays]] | ||
| + | *[[The Second Shepherds' Play]] | ||
| + | *[[History of theatre]] | ||
| + | *[[Medieval French literature]] | ||
| + | *[[Oberammergau Passion Play]] | ||
| + | *[[Carnival]] | ||
| + | *[[The Vice]] | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Revision as of 21:22, 18 January 2013
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Medieval theatre refers to the theatre of Europe between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance. The term refers to a variety of genres because the time period covers approximately a thousand years of the art form and an entire continent. Most medieval theatre is not well documented due to a lack of surviving records and texts, a low literacy rate of the general population, and the opposition of the clergy to some types of performance.
At the beginning of the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church banned theatrical performances, mostly as an attempt to curb the excesses of the Roman theatre. The Roman theatre was in decline because the economic and political conditions could not support the vast entertainment industry that had grown up in the empire and included circuses, horse races, gladiatorial combat, and the Roman comedies that are still sometimes performed today.
Very little is known about secular drama during the early medieval time. There certainly existed some performances that were not fully fledged theatre; they may have been carryovers from the original pagan cultures (as is known from records written by the clergy disapproving of such festivals). It is also known that mimes, minstrels, bards, storytellers, and jugglers traveled in search of new audiences and financial support. Not much is known about these performers' repertoire and no written texts survive.
Texts and Authors
Many texts survive from this era. Some of the most important ones are:
- Quem Quaeritis? - the piece of the liturgical Easter mass that eventually grew into a huge body of religious drama
- "The Second Shepherds' Play" from the Wakefield (also called Towneley) Cycle
- The York cycle - the longest mystery cycle in existence
- Everyman - this Flemish play is the most famous morality play
- The Castle of Perseverance - from 1440, it's the earliest known full-length vernacular play in existence. It's especially important because a stage drawing is included, which may suggest theatre in the round.
- "La Farce de maître Pierre Pathelin" - a French farce that was very popular for over a century.
Most authors of medieval plays are anonymous. Important ones are:
- Hrosvitha - the first female playwright, a nun from Gandersheim
- The Wakefield Master - contributor to some of the plays of the Wakefield Cycle, including "The Second Shepherds' Play." His real name is not known.
- John Bale - English churchman
See also
- Wakefield Mystery Plays
- The Second Shepherds' Play
- History of theatre
- Medieval French literature
- Oberammergau Passion Play
- Carnival
- The Vice
