Concetti Chiave
- The Church and State feared secular drama for its potential to corrupt morals and incite public disorder, recalling past chaotic celebrations.
- Cultured aristocratic patrons greatly influenced the type of plays produced during the English Renaissance.
- English plays were shaped by the Italian Renaissance, with significant influences from Seneca, Machiavelli, and Aristotelian Classical Drama.
- Actors had to balance the demands of a sophisticated audience seeking new themes with those of a popular audience favoring traditional farce.
- The architectural design of inns where early plays were performed influenced the structure of the first English commercial theatres.
What is The Fear of the Church and the State?
The Act of 1572 was dictated by the Church's fear that secular drma would corrupt morals and by the State's fear that it would encourage public disorder, a concern that derived from memories of the days of Misrule, when the Fool and the Clown would lead the entire village into Bacchanalian festivities on certain days of the year.
The influence of the patron, usually a cultured aristocrat, on the type of play produced was great.
The educated Englishman, influenced by the effects of the Italian Renaissance, desired a play which mirrored the new themes and topics of the day.
The influence of Seneca and Machiavelli was great, as well as the influence of Aristotelian Classical Drama.
Evolution of the English Renaissance Drama
The actor menager was also obliged, however, to respect the wishes of a more popular audience, who still wished to enjoy the traditional humour of farce and the simple laguage of the everyday world.
The result of this dual influence was the development of English Renaissance Drama and a gradual abandon of morality plays, fabliaux and farce.
The structure of the inn where early dramatic companies performed, with a raised platform for the actors sorrounded by a series of galleries where the audience and musicians would sit, determined the shape and form of the first commercial playhouses or theatres built in England.
Domande da interrogazione
- What were the main concerns of the Church and the State regarding secular drama in 1572?
The Church feared that secular drama would corrupt morals, while the State was concerned it might encourage public disorder, recalling the chaotic festivities of Misrule led by the Fool and the Clown.
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