🎭History of Theatre I Unit 5 – Roman Comedy and Tragedy: Key Playwrights

Historical Context

• Roman theatre developed during the Roman Republic and Empire periods (509 BC - AD 476)
• Influenced by Greek theatre, particularly New Comedy of the Hellenistic period
  • Adapted Greek plays and theatrical conventions to suit Roman tastes and values
• Performed during religious festivals and public events, such as the Ludi Romani (Roman Games)
• Patronage system supported playwrights and theatrical productions
  • Wealthy individuals or state officials commissioned plays for public entertainment
• Theatre served as a means of social and political commentary, reflecting Roman society and values
• Plays were performed in open-air theatres, such as the Theatre of Pompey in Rome (55 BC)
• Actors were primarily male, with female roles portrayed by men wearing masks

Major Playwrights

• Plautus (c. 254 - 184 BC)
  • Considered the father of Roman comedy
  • Adapted Greek New Comedy plays into Latin, adding Roman elements and humor
• Terence (c. 195 - 159 BC)
  • Known for his refined style and elegant language
  • Focused on character development and moral themes
• Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC - AD 65)
  • Primarily wrote tragedies, adapting Greek myths and plays
  • Plays were influential in the development of Elizabethan and Neoclassical tragedy
• Livius Andronicus (c. 284 - 204 BC)
  • Considered the first Roman playwright
  • Translated Greek works into Latin, laying the foundation for Roman theatre
• Gnaeus Naevius (c. 270 - 201 BC)
  • Wrote both tragedies and comedies
  • Known for his political satire and criticism of the ruling class

Key Works

• Plautus' "Menaechmi" (The Twin Brothers)
  • A comedy of errors involving mistaken identities of twin brothers
  • Influenced Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors"
• Terence's "Adelphoe" (The Brothers)
  • Explores themes of family, education, and social responsibility
  • Contrasts the strict and lenient parenting styles of two brothers
• Seneca's "Medea"
  • Adaptation of Euripides' Greek tragedy
  • Depicts Medea's revenge against her unfaithful husband, Jason
• Plautus' "Miles Gloriosus" (The Braggart Soldier)
  • Satirizes the boastful and cowardly nature of a soldier
  • Features clever slaves and mistaken identities
• Terence's "Heauton Timorumenos" (The Self-Tormentor)
  • Examines the relationship between a father and his son
  • Explores themes of self-punishment and forgiveness

Theatrical Conventions

• Stock characters, such as the clever slave, boastful soldier, and young lovers
  • Used to create familiar and relatable characters for the audience
• Prologue delivered by a character or the playwright to introduce the play and its themes
• Soliloquies used to reveal characters' inner thoughts and emotions
• Use of masks to represent characters and their emotions
  • Allowed actors to play multiple roles and facilitated quick character changes
• Musical accompaniment, including flutes and percussion instruments
• Slapstick humor and physical comedy, such as exaggerated gestures and pratfalls
• Asides, where characters address the audience directly to share their thoughts or intentions

Themes and Motifs

• Mistaken identity and disguise, often leading to comedic situations and misunderstandings
• Conflict between generations, particularly fathers and sons
  • Explores the tension between traditional values and the younger generation's desires
• Trickery and deception, often employed by clever slaves to outwit their masters
• Social commentary and satire, critiquing Roman society, politics, and moral values
• Love and romance, focusing on the obstacles young lovers must overcome to be together
• Family dynamics and the relationships between parents, children, and siblings
• The role of fate and the gods in human lives, particularly in tragedies

Performance Practices

• Plays were performed during daylight hours in open-air theatres
  • Audiences sat on stone or wooden benches, with seating arranged according to social class
• Actors were primarily male, with female roles portrayed by men wearing masks and costumes
  • Masks allowed for quick character changes and exaggerated facial expressions
• Chorus played a smaller role compared to Greek theatre, often providing commentary or background information
• Scenery was minimal, with a simple stage and backdrop representing a generic location
• Costumes were used to indicate character types and social status
  • Bright colors and exaggerated features for comedic characters
  • Dark colors and simple designs for tragic characters
• Music and dance were incorporated into performances, particularly in comedies
  • Flute players provided musical accompaniment and helped set the mood

Cultural Impact

• Roman theatre reflected and shaped Roman society, values, and moral standards
  • Plays often critiqued social norms and political issues, sparking public discourse
• Theatre served as a form of public entertainment and education
  • Exposed audiences to Greek myths, literature, and philosophical ideas
• Playwrights and actors gained fame and social status through their work
  • Successful playwrights were celebrated and patronized by wealthy individuals and the state
• Roman theatre influenced the development of European theatre, particularly during the Renaissance
  • Rediscovery of Roman plays in the 14th and 15th centuries inspired new theatrical works and adaptations
• Latin became the language of educated Europeans, partly due to the influence of Roman literature and theatre
• Roman theatre's stock characters, plot devices, and themes continue to be used in modern theatre and popular culture

Legacy and Influence

• Roman theatre laid the foundation for the development of Western theatre
  • Influenced playwrights, actors, and theatre practitioners throughout history
• Plautus and Terence's comedies inspired Renaissance playwrights, such as Shakespeare and Molière
  • "The Comedy of Errors" and "The Menaechmi" share similar plot elements and themes
• Seneca's tragedies influenced the development of Elizabethan and Neoclassical tragedy
  • Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "Macbeth" draw upon Senecan themes and style
• Stock characters from Roman comedy, such as the clever slave and boastful soldier, continue to appear in modern theatre and popular culture
• The use of masks, costumes, and physical comedy in Roman theatre has influenced various theatrical traditions, such as Commedia dell'arte and pantomime
• Roman theatre's emphasis on social commentary and satire has inspired generations of playwrights to use theatre as a means of critiquing society and politics
  • Bertolt Brecht's Epic Theatre and Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed draw upon this tradition
• The study of Roman theatre continues to be an essential part of theatre history and education, providing insights into ancient Roman society and the development of Western theatre