Theatre Chapter 15 The Restoration, the Enlightenment, and Romanticism
Ira Aldridge
African American actor, discriminated against in America, first celebrated black actor in Europe
Sturm und Drang
Romantic movement in Germany. plays exalted nature, emotions, and individualism; Johann Woolfgang von Goethe was the greates strum und drang playwright
Nell Gwynn
the mistress of Charles II who produced two children with him and had a huge influence on the decision to put women back on stage.
Emilie du Chatelet
trained as a mathematician and physicist. She helped stimulate interest in science in France by translating Newton's work from Latin to French.
Sentimental Comedy
type of comedy that features middle class characters finding happiness and true love
Aphra Behn
wrote "History of a Nun;" prolific dramatist of the Restoration (18th century), one of the first English female writers
William Congreve
wrote way of the world which perfectly represented various characters of society in comedy of manners
Francis Bacon
(1561-1626) English politician, writer. Formalized the scientific method
Enlightenment
1650-1800 glorified human power to reason and analyze; a time of great philosophical, scientific, technological, political, and religious revolutions
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
A French man who believed that Human beings are naturally good & free & can rely on their instincts. Government should exist to protect common good, and be a democracy
Friedrich von Schiller
A German playwright and poet during the Romanticism movement
The Barber of Seville
An opera by Gioacchino Rossini. The title character is Figaro, a master schemer. By his trickery, he helps his former master, a nobleman, win the hand of a beautiful woman.
Drury Lane Theatre
Built orginally by Thomas Killigrew, burned down 3 times and was reconstructed each time
Comedy of Manners
Form of comic drama that became popular in seventeenth-century France and the English Restoration, emphasizing a cultivated or sophisticated atmosphere and witty dialogue.
Idols of Knowledge
Francis Bacon idols of tribe, cave, marketplace, and theatre
Beaumarchais
French Enlightenment playwright, inventor, and thinker
Edmond Rostand
French poet and dramatist who provided romantic plays during the late 19th century while the naturalistic theatre was popular
Voltaire
French writer who was the embodiment of 18th century Enlightenment (1694-1778)
Cyrano de Bergerac
French, known for his large nose
Cesare Beccaria
Italian economist, his idea appeared in the writings of the US founding fathers
King Louis XVI
King of France from 1774 to 1792; his unpopular policies helped trigger the French Revolution. He was executed by guillotine.
Thomas Paine
Patriot and writer whose pamphlet Common Sense, published in 1776, convinced many Americans that it was time to declare independence from Britain.
Denis Diderot
Philosopher who edited a book called the Encyclopedia which was banned by the French king and pope.
Index of Forbidden Books
Written by Pope Paul IV as part of the Counter-Reformation. It forbade Catholics from reading books considered "harmful" to faith and morals. This indicates the significance of the printing press in disseminating Reformation ideas.
Age of Reason
a movement in the 18th century that advocated the use of reason in the reappraisal of accepted ideas and social institutions
Faust
a play by Goethe in 2 parts. A man sells his soul to the devil to get a girl
Well-made Play
a sarcastic label for a formula play whose ending is happy and whose loose ends are neatly tied up ; typified by nineteenth century melodramas of Eugene Scribe
Domestic Tragedy
a type of play characterized by stories about common people, rather than ones of noble birth, who feel grand emotions and suffer devastating consequences
Johann Goethe
a writer and leader of the romantic movement in Germany
Thomas Hobbes
believed that people are born selfish and need a strong central authority
The Paradox of Acting
book by Diderot that attacked the style of acting that dominated European stages
Melodrama
features working-class heroes who set out on a great adventure; story lines that praise marriage, God, and country
King Shotawa
first known play by an African-American playwright
Eugene Scribe
french playwright wrote over 400 plays; melodrama formula writer
Oliver Goldsmith
great playright who passed the censoring board, wrote "She Stoops to Conquer", and perfected comedy of manners
Charles II
his reign over England signaled the beginning of Restoration
Richard Sheridan
most noteworthy of the sentimental comedy genre. Balance of sentiment and comedy. Wrote "The Rivals" and "School for Scandals".
Restoration
period of English history that began in 1660 with the establishment of the monarchy. It was characterized by scientific discovery, new philosophical concepts, improved economic conditions, and a return of theatre
Romantics
preferred emotional and imaginative expression to rational analysis
Catherine the Great
promoted tolerance and improved life for the common people