What is the origin, evolution, and legacy of commedia dell'arte?
What will be an ideal response?
During the sixteenth century in Italy, with the freedom and humanism of the Renaissance, commedia dell'arte emerged. Some historians believe the commedia is a direct descendent from ancient mime and early Atellan farce, while others believe that it is a fresh creation of the Renaissance. This performance tradition dominated European theatre for the next 300 years, and its influence can be felt to the present. When Catherine de Medici of Italy married King Henri II of France, she brought commedia dell'arte to France where it influenced the playwright Molière. When licensing laws limited the use of spoken words on stage, and mime captured commedia spirit in silence. In England, commedia evolved into pantomime. When pantomime's popularity waned, performers moved to music hall and vaudeville variety entertainment, or the circus, and later silent films. The legacy of Arlecchino, commedia's wily servant who was a hero of the working class, can be seen in the Harlequin character, and later, Clown, in English pantomime, as well as the Pierrot character in France. Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Marcel Marceau and his Bip character are all heirs to the commedia tradition. Today, we see commedia's influence in written drama, new vaudeville, and television sitcoms.
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Perhaps the most significant change in theatre between the end of World War II and 1980 was the: a. creation of the American musical
b. increased questioning of individual values and social conventions. c. challenge to legal and governmental sanctions of inequities in society. d. decentralization of theatre, which saw the establishment of permanent companies where previously there were none.
The horror films produced by Val Lewton at Radio-Keith-Orpheum (RKO) in the 1940s were significant for:
A. the use of elaborate makeup and costume to depict monstrous characters. B. the avoidance of graphic depictions of monsters and violence. C. transferring classic nineteenth-century horror novels to present-day American settings. D. making stars out of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.
Describe some common characteristics of a well-crafted song.
What will be an ideal response?