roman theatre. heritage began when romans tried to adopt greek theatre comedy surpassed greek...
TRANSCRIPT
Roman Theatre
Heritage
Began when Romans tried to adopt Greek Theatre
Comedy surpassed Greek predecessors Tragedy not as successful Because of Romans high standards for
themselves they thought Romans wouldn’t behave in a free spirited fashion…so their plays often portrayed Greek settings and dealt with Greek characters so as not to offend Roman citizens
Theatres
Romans wished to control Built everything freestanding Copied Greek idea of large gathering
centers Adapted to their own types of
entertainment– Romans built
• Large theatre, circus and a forum together
Roman Style
Dominated architectural design of Europe and America for centuries
Romans added more realistic scenery to plays
Setting usually outdoors Since Roman plays were about Greeks
there was always an alter on stage– Still present today but rarely used
A visual tour…
Theatre of Pompey
Arial View
Another View
Conventions of Roman Theatre
More speaking actors than Greeks Chorus not used as often as the Greeks did Actors played one part Masks still used Stock Characters embellished
– Series of stereotyped characters– Used often in comedy– Easily identifiable
• Anticipate behavior - reactions
Common Stock Characters
Slave– Motivating force
Young man Girl Braggart Old man Smart slave Dumb slave Parasite or leech
Plautus
Rome’s most popular comic playwright Plays had poor structure Were lyrical and poetic Full of gag lines Many playwrights from Shakespeare to Neil
Simon follow his style of comedy writing– A series of misadventures loosely tied together
Terence
Consummate craftsman Well developed subtle plots Greater suspense More surprises Not as lyrical or poetic
Seneca
One of the greatest minds and writers in Roman history
Plays made him great writer of tragedies in Roman history
Conflicts in his plays mainly man versus himself Plays more fit for reader’s theatre than stage
production– Long– Brilliant monologues– Unmotivated entrances
Theatres
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Coliseums
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Circuses
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Forums
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