¶ … Supernatural in Renaissance Drama There are things in heaven and earth, not dreamt of in the philosophy of Horatio, not simply in "Hamlet" but also in the "Midsummer's Night Dream" of Shakespeare, and the "Dr. Faustus" of Christopher Marlowe. But while all of these plays deal with the theme of human aspirations in a world with a permeable, rather than an impermeable wall between humanity and the supernatural, "Dr. Faustus" suggests that breaking down this wall is initially fun and playful, although it has dire consequences at the end for the play's protagonist. Marlowe's cartoon characters and images of conventional morality, combined with heightened language convey humor rather than horror, until Faustus is condemned to hell for all eternity. The even lighter "Midsummer's Night Dream" also suggests in its early language an initial playfulness for the human and supernatural lovers who engage in transgressing sensual activities. But this comedy set in a pagan land also raises questions about how 'real' love is, after all, if both supernatural charms and supposedly real love are in fact both false. Lastly, "Hamlet" begins with a seriousness about ghosts and Christian morality that ultimately eschews the early humor "Faustus" and his dirty dealings with Mephistopheles but takes the play to a new level of philosophical inquiry about the relationship of...
Faustus," unlike in Shakespeare's plays. The good and bad angels argue amongst themselves for Faustus' soul set the tone. "Faustus, lay that damned book aside, / And gaze not on it least it tempt thy soul. (1.1) They use the stark, moralistic language of a preacher, rather than language specific to actual characters. Even the 'seven deadly sins' are conventional in their depiction, and function as diversions for Faustus, not as distinct sprite or fairy like characters as in "A Midsummer's Night Dream." Only when Faustus apprehends Helen does the text really use colorful poetic images, as Dr. Faustus asks if this is the face that launched a thousand ships. (Act 4)
A hut on top of the 'Tiring House' was there for apparatus and machines. Flag above the hut was there to indicate concert day. Musicians' veranda was beneath the hut at the third level and spectators would have to sit on 2nd level. (the Elizabethan Theatre: Introduction to Theatre Online Course) The performance sites are also original. First managed in suitable public places like inn courtyards, in the fashion of
The machines were used to create vertical and horizontal movements which had not been done before. In other words, a god could be pictured using the machine as floating down onto the stage, or boats moving across it. Night or dawn could appear, or ghosts (Lawrenson 92). Most of these machine-plays were produced at the Theatre du Marais. There is a difference here, too. The French machine plays reached
The Old French language became the official language of business and court in the now Norman controlled England (Soon Magazine). Parents who wanted their children to amount to anything would have them schooled in this language, while English was reserved for the commoners. In this case, one can understand the first pronounced case of language bias in the English language. Although many of today's descriptive grammar linguists would hold that
Theatre: English-speaking versions of Hamlet vs. European versions The many contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare enacted on the modern stage underline the fact that Shakespeare was a playwright for the ages, not simply a man of his own time. However, in the ways in which Shakespeare has been adapted to modernity, it becomes apparent that modern directors are just as intent upon revealing their own personal preoccupations as well as revealing the
Renaissance -- Baroque Music RENAISSANCE & BAROQUE MUSIC: A COMPARISON The music associated with the Renaissance Period, beginning circa 1450 and ending about 1600, brought about a number of significant changes as compared to its predecessor, being the Medieval Period. Musically, the Renaissance Period introduced the use of polyphony and saw the rise of the cantus firmus mass as Europe's first major musical form; in addition, there was an emergence of national schools
Even in Catholic France, the Protestant sentiment that God's grace alone can save His fallen, human creation was evident in the humanist king, Francis I's sister, Margaret, Queen of Navarre's novel when she wrote: "We must humble ourselves, for God does not bestow his graces on men because they are noble or rich; but, according as it pleases his goodness, which regards not the appearance of persons, he chooses
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