The origins of English Drama

1. The origins of English Drama

2. Pagan origins Fertility rites mainly based on nature cycles: i.e. seasons MAY POLE

3. Interest of the Church in pagan celebrations From celebrations of spring to celebration of Easter

4. Liturgical drama Sung dialogue between the celebrants to commemorate great Christian events in the nave of churches

5. From the nave to the church square From latin to vernacular No more priests as actors

6. 13th 14th 15th cent. Mystery or Miracle Plays Actors: members of Trade Guilds Stage: pageants

7. Morality Plays Characters not from Bible, but personifications of Vices and Virtues Everyman, after 1485 Main characters: Everyman, Death, Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, Worldly Goods, Kindred, Good Deeds

8. End of 15th cent. Interludes Combination of serious elements with more comic ones Vice as a dramatic character his dialogues rich with puns

9. Folk tales re-telling old stories, i.e. Robin Hood Actors used to travel from town to town performing for their audiences in return for money and hospitality. Authorities against actors, because beyond control Actors classified as “vagabonds and beggars,” in a 1572 Act of Parliament

10. timeline 1492 America, Leonardo’s Last Supper 1508, Michelangelo Sistine Chapel 1509-1547 Reign of Henry VIII 1534, Act of Supremacy 1558-1603 Reign of Elizabeth I 1564-1616 W. Shakespeare 1576, The Theatre 1599, The Globe

11. SOUTHWARK

12. The Globe James Burbage Lord Chamberlain’s Men W. Shakespeare The Rose Philip Henslowe Admiral’s Men C. Marlowe

13. The Swan

14. Elizabethan Advertising Flags were erected on the day of the performance which sometimes displayed a picture advertising the next play to be performed. Colour coding was also used a black flag meant a tragedy white a comedy and red a history.

19. Hell under stage