The English Renaissance and NOT Shakespeare: Crash Course Theater #13

CrashCourse

11 May 201812:51

Summary

TLDRThis script from Crash Course Theater explores the theater of Renaissance England, predating Shakespeare's era. It delves into the historical context, the development of English playhouses, and early playwrights. The video discusses the influence of morality plays and the emergence of professional actors, highlighting significant works like 'Ralph Roister Doister' and 'The Tragedie of Gorboduc.' It also covers the evolution of playhouses, from makeshift venues to permanent structures like The Theatre and the Globe, and introduces the University Wits, who paved the way for Shakespeare's dramatic legacy.

Takeaways

🎭 The Renaissance in England arrived much later than in Italy, about 150 years late, due to England's preoccupation with the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses.
👑 The Tudor dynasty played a significant role in promoting theater, with Henry VIII establishing an Office of the Revels to manage court entertainments.
🚫 Elizabeth I imposed restrictions on theater, including a ban on religious and political plays and classifying actors as vagabonds, which led to troupes associating with nobility for protection.
🎭 Early English Renaissance plays were influenced by classical works and morality plays but had a more episodic structure compared to the neoclassicism of Italy and France.
📚 'Ralph Roister Doister' and 'Gammer Gurton’s Needle' are examples of early vernacular comedies that predate the licensing of actors.
👑 'Cambises' and 'The Tragedie of Gorboduc' are early examples of mixed-genre plays and tragedies in English Renaissance theater, with the latter having parallels to 'King Lear'.
🏟️ Before the construction of permanent theaters, plays were performed in various spaces like gardens, banquet halls, and schools.
🦌 The Theatre, built by James Burbage in 1576, was an important Elizabethan playhouse that later became the Globe after a dispute with the landlord.
🍿 Public theaters were open-air and could accommodate a diverse audience, while indoor theaters like Blackfriars Theatre catered to a more affluent crowd.
👦 The absence of women on stage led to boys playing female roles, and stage settings were simple, relying on hanging cloths and props.
📝 The University Wits, including Thomas Kyd, John Lyly, Robert Greene, and Christopher Marlowe, were influential playwrights whose work laid the groundwork for Shakespeare's success.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Crash Course Theater video script?
-The main focus of the script is to explore the theater of Renaissance England, including its historical context, the English playhouse, and early plays and playwrights, with an emphasis on discussing aspects that existed independently of Shakespeare.
Why did the Renaissance arrive late in England compared to Italy?
-The Renaissance arrived late in England due to the country being involved in the Hundred Years’ War with France and the Wars of the Roses, which caused instability and delayed the cultural and intellectual developments that characterized the Renaissance in Italy.
What role did the Tudor dynasty play in the development of theater in England?
-The Tudor dynasty, particularly Henry VII and Henry VIII, played a significant role by supporting and promoting theater. They established an Office of the Revels and encouraged court entertainments, which helped theater to flourish during their reign.
What was the impact of Elizabeth I's crackdown on religious and political plays?
-Elizabeth I's crackdown on religious and political plays ended the cycle plays and pushed theater in new, more innovative directions. It also led to the professionalization of actors, who had to team up with nobility and license themselves under noble names to avoid fines.
What are some characteristics of the earliest plays of the English Renaissance?
-The earliest plays of the English Renaissance were comedies written in vernacular English, influenced by the works of Plautus and Terence, as well as morality plays and medieval farces. They were often looser and more episodic compared to the neoclassicism that was popular in Italy and France.
Who wrote 'Ralph Roister Doister' and what is it about?
-'Ralph Roister Doister' was written by Nicholas Udall in the 1540s. It tells the story of a braggart character, Ralph, who falls in love with a virtuous widow, Christian Custance, and faces various comedic misadventures in his attempts to win her over.
What is the significance of 'The Tragedie of Gorboduc' in English Renaissance theater?
-'The Tragedie of Gorboduc' is significant as it is the first tragedy on an English subject, written in blank verse, and influenced by both Seneca and elements of morality plays. It was first performed in 1561 and is considered a precursor to plays like 'King Lear'.
Why were permanent theaters not initially built in the City of London?
-Permanent theaters were not initially built in the City of London because there was a belief that play-going spread plague. Plays and players were essentially outlawed in the city proper by the 1570s.
What was unique about the design of The Theatre built by James Burbage?
-The Theatre was designed with a three-level gallery structure surrounding a thrust stage and an open space in the middle for penny-paying ticket holders. It borrowed its design from inn yards or bear-baiting pits, reflecting the entertainment options of the time.
What is the significance of the Blackfriars Theatre in the context of English Renaissance theater?
-The Blackfriars Theatre was significant as the first indoor, private theater, catering to a more upscale audience. It seated about 750 people and was known for hosting plays that were considered wittier and more sophisticated.
Who were the University Wits and how did they contribute to English Renaissance theater?
-The University Wits were a group of playwrights who attended Oxford or Cambridge and wrote sophisticated plays for both adult actors and child laborers. They improved upon early dramas, making them more true to life, lively, and full of poetry, thus paving the way for Shakespeare.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Introduction to Renaissance English Theater

The script begins by introducing Mike Rugnetta and the topic of Renaissance English theater, which predates Shakespeare. It explains that there were many plays, playwrights, and theater troupes that existed independently of Shakespeare's influence. The script discusses the historical context, including the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses, which delayed the Renaissance's arrival in England. The Tudor era is highlighted for its support of theater, with Henry VIII establishing an Office of the Revels. The script also touches on the challenges faced by actors, such as being classified as vagabonds and the need to align with nobility for protection. It mentions the shift in theater direction due to crackdowns on certain types of plays and the professionalization of actors. Early plays like 'Ralph Roister Doister' and 'Gammer Gurton’s Needle' are introduced, with their comedic and episodic nature, drawing from various influences including morality plays and classical works.

05:04

🏛 The Development of English Playhouses and Playwriting

This paragraph delves into the evolution of English playhouses, starting with the makeshift venues such as gardens and banquet halls, and leading up to the construction of permanent structures like the Red Lion and The Theatre. It discusses the societal beliefs that led to plays being outlawed in the City of London due to fears of spreading plague. The Theatre, built by James Burbage, is highlighted for its design inspired by inn yards and its association with the Lord Admiral’s Men. The paragraph also covers the transition of The Theatre into the Globe after a dispute with the landlord. The open-air nature of these theaters, their capacity, and the diverse audience they attracted are mentioned. The introduction of indoor, private theaters like Blackfriars Theatre is also covered, along with the rise of the University Wits, a group of playwrights who contributed to the sophistication of English drama, including Thomas Kyd, John Lyly, Robert Greene, and Christopher Marlowe.

10:07

📜 The Influence of University Wits and the Anticipation of Shakespeare

The final paragraph focuses on the impact of the University Wits, particularly Christopher Marlowe, whose work heavily influenced Shakespeare. It provides a brief overview of the Wits, mentioning Thomas Kyd's 'The Spanish Tragedy,' John Lyly's pastorals, Robert Greene's 'Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay,' and Christopher Marlowe's ambitious characters and vivid blank verse. The paragraph emphasizes the theatrical culture that existed before Shakespeare, characterized by professional troupes, competing theaters, and enthusiastic audiences. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Shakespeare in the next episodes, reminding us that he did not emerge in a vacuum but rather built upon an already thriving theatrical tradition.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Renaissance England

Renaissance England refers to the period of the Renaissance in England, which began later than in Italy, around the 16th century. It was characterized by a flourishing of arts, literature, and theater. In the script, it sets the historical context for the development of English theater, independent of Shakespeare, and discusses the cultural and political shifts that influenced it.

💡Hundred Years' War

The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts waged by England and France from 1337 to 1453. The script mentions this war as one of the reasons for the delayed arrival of the Renaissance in England, as it consumed much of the country's resources and attention during the late Middle Ages.

💡Wars of the Roses

The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars in England for the throne, fought between the houses of Lancaster and York between 1455 and 1487. The script notes these wars as another factor contributing to the late start of the Renaissance in England, affecting the political stability necessary for cultural developments.

💡Tudors

The Tudors were a royal dynasty in England that ruled from 1485 to 1603. The script highlights the Tudors' support for theater, with Henry VII funding court entertainments and Henry VIII establishing the Office of the Revels, which significantly contributed to the growth of English theater.

💡Master of Revels

The Master of Revels was an official responsible for organizing plays and masques for the nobility during the Tudor period. As mentioned in the script, this role was established by Henry VIII, indicating the importance and organization of theater in the English court.

💡Cycle plays

Cycle plays were a form of medieval drama that depicted stories from the Bible, often performed in a cycle covering significant religious events. The script explains that Elizabeth I cracked down on these plays due to their potential to incite religious discord, which led to the end of this form of theater.

💡The Lord Chamberlain’s Men

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men was a theater company in the late 16th century, known for being associated with William Shakespeare. In the script, it is mentioned as an example of how acting troupes professionalized and aligned themselves with nobility to circumvent laws against actors being classified as vagabonds.

💡Neoclassicism

Neoclassicism was an artistic and cultural movement that drew inspiration from classical antiquity, prominent in Italy and France. The script notes that it did not have the same impact in England, allowing for the development of a distinct style in English Renaissance plays, which were often looser and more episodic.

💡Blank verse

Blank verse is a type of poetry that uses unrhymed iambic pentameter. The script mentions that 'The Tragedie of Gorboduc' was written in blank verse, a form that would later be famously used by Shakespeare, indicating a shift towards more sophisticated poetic structures in English drama.

💡Red Lion

The Red Lion was likely the first permanent theater in England, built in 1567. The script describes it as having a large stage and being poorly constructed, with its history marked by a lawsuit over its poor construction, illustrating the early stages of theater building and the challenges faced.

💡University Wits

The University Wits were a group of playwrights in the late 16th century who were educated at Oxford or Cambridge and known for their sophisticated and witty plays. The script identifies them as precursors to Shakespeare, whose works developed and improved upon the early dramas of the English Renaissance, preparing the way for Shakespeare's dramatic innovations.

Highlights

The Renaissance in England arrived significantly later than in Italy, influenced by the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses.

The Tudors' reign brought stability and a surge in humanism, the scientific method, and madrigals, with a strong royal patronage for theater.

Henry VIII established the Office of the Revels, managed by a Master of Revels for arranging plays and masques.

Religious and political plays were restricted under Elizabeth I to prevent religious discord.

Actors faced legal challenges, being classified as vagabonds and fined for traveling between towns.

Actors formed troupes and licensed themselves under noble patronage, such as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

Early English Renaissance plays were influenced by classical works but were more episodic and less neoclassical than those on the continent.

Nicholas Udall's 'Ralph Roister Doister' is among the earliest comedies of the English Renaissance, featuring a braggart character.

‘Gammer Gurton’s Needle’ is an early play known for its humor derived from bodily harm.

‘Cambises’ is an early play with an episodic structure and a mix of genres, including tragedy and comedy.

‘The Tragedie of Gorboduc’ is the first English tragedy on a national subject, influenced by Seneca and morality plays.

Early plays were performed in various spaces like gardens and banquet halls before the construction of permanent theaters.

The Theatre, built by James Burbage in 1576, was one of the first permanent playhouses in England.

The Globe Theatre was created after a dispute led to the dismantling and relocation of The Theatre.

Blackfriars Theatre was an indoor, private theater that catered to a more affluent audience.

The University Wits, a group of playwrights educated at Oxford or Cambridge, contributed to the sophistication of English drama.

Christopher Marlowe's plays, known for their ambitious characters and blank verse, had a significant influence on Shakespeare.