Pastoral Drama In this convention the purity and simplicity of shepherd life is contrasted with the corruption and artificiality of the court or the city. Intermezzo Was a lighter, more comedic scene interpolated between more serious scenes. Opera Either comedic or serious, some dialogue but accompanied with music. Singing used to frame and enhance the action of the play.
The Renaissance and Shakespeare
GHS Fall 2012


Cultural movement that spanned the periods of the 14th through the 17th centuries It was not a uniform process. Not every country experienced the “Rebirth” at the same time.




Dates back to Florence, Italy in the late Sixteenth century (1500’s). The purpose that lead to creation of Opera was the need to understand Greek drama and how music was an integral part of drama. Even Gregorian chants of the Medieval period were a type of liturgical musical dramas, but the Opera looked to the classical period for its inspiration.
Opera https:///watch?v=PfyHMZWMnQ Intermezzo https:///watch?v=Cap3qdSP RJw Pastoral https:///watch?v=5cj0rly3JxY https:///watch?v=UCIx07t14j w&feature=related




It imitated Greek musical drama, and incorporated the chorus and actors together. For two hundred years, this art form accelerated. The libretto, scenery, costumes, dance, music, etc. saw vast improvements and expansion. Orchestration, vocal virtuosity etc. expanded the Opera to a high art form.
Art accelerated in production and quality from the Medieval period.
Important artists of the period= Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.



A move toward Humanism and a desire to seek the “truth” about nature, God, and man. Christianity was not rejected; many works were devoted to it.


Renaissance started in Italy in the 1300’s. Learning focused on classical sources such as the Romans (Latin), Greeks, and Arabic and Hebrew texts.



By the 15th and 16th centuries, European nations had established their own native traditions, religious dramas and farces based on Greek and Roman plays. Drama of the Renaissance mirrored or reproduced classical themes.




The Elizabethan Period marked the beginning of the Renaissance in England It lasted 45 yrs, or the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). During this period all Arts blossomed, but Drama and Theater excelled like no otf ancient texts long forgotten, including Greek Christian works that would lead to the Protestant reformation. The period marked a period of Church reforms and eventually movements that would birth the American and French Revolutions.