Chantie Parrilla
T. Angle
DRA 211-1901
29 February 2016
Influence of Church and Theatre in Medieval Times:
An exploration of Theatrical Elements from Religious to Farce After the fall of the Roman empire, culture and festivities involving theatre and theatrical elements all but disappeared. This time, known as the “Dark Ages” saw a rise in the Christian dominated church, seeing as the church was the only stable government in a turbulent period. While European countries floundered to establish permanent transfers of power, the people were left to live in continuous upheaval, and thus turned to the Church for a semblance of stability. During the Early Medieval period, the church sought to denounce the remaining forms of theatrical entertainment, such as mimes, Teutonic minstrels, jugglers and the like, causing these performers and their performances to become outcast (Brockett 71). Many festivals were viewed as heretical and sinful since they mainly derived from Pagan beliefs, these were kept alive by those forced to convert to Christianity. After around 900 C.E, with the church’s …show more content…
Theatre has helped shape the church as has the audience. Whether one is inclined to agree or disagree with the teachings and traditions of religion, there is no denying that without the rise of the Christian Church and all its many branches, the culture of the theatre might have died out or have evolved entirely differently. It is a relationship that must be respected and honored as a tool for society to continue to grow, “Since the Enlightenment we’ve asked ourselves, “What is religion, and what is it for?” Belief in God, which once seemed obvious, seems strange. Faith has become a burden to carry through the modern world, an irrational holdover from premodern times instead of part of the ordinary fabric of life. (Reklis
T. Angle
DRA 211-1901
29 February 2016
Influence of Church and Theatre in Medieval Times:
An exploration of Theatrical Elements from Religious to Farce After the fall of the Roman empire, culture and festivities involving theatre and theatrical elements all but disappeared. This time, known as the “Dark Ages” saw a rise in the Christian dominated church, seeing as the church was the only stable government in a turbulent period. While European countries floundered to establish permanent transfers of power, the people were left to live in continuous upheaval, and thus turned to the Church for a semblance of stability. During the Early Medieval period, the church sought to denounce the remaining forms of theatrical entertainment, such as mimes, Teutonic minstrels, jugglers and the like, causing these performers and their performances to become outcast (Brockett 71). Many festivals were viewed as heretical and sinful since they mainly derived from Pagan beliefs, these were kept alive by those forced to convert to Christianity. After around 900 C.E, with the church’s …show more content…
Theatre has helped shape the church as has the audience. Whether one is inclined to agree or disagree with the teachings and traditions of religion, there is no denying that without the rise of the Christian Church and all its many branches, the culture of the theatre might have died out or have evolved entirely differently. It is a relationship that must be respected and honored as a tool for society to continue to grow, “Since the Enlightenment we’ve asked ourselves, “What is religion, and what is it for?” Belief in God, which once seemed obvious, seems strange. Faith has become a burden to carry through the modern world, an irrational holdover from premodern times instead of part of the ordinary fabric of life. (Reklis