13.1 Influence of Greek and Roman comedy on Renaissance theater

Greek and Roman comedy left a lasting mark on Renaissance theater. Plautus and Terence's works, with their stock characters and farcical situations, inspired the commedia dell'arte in 16th-century Italy. This improvisational form spread across Europe, influencing future comedic styles.

Shakespeare and Molière drew heavily from classical comedy. They adapted stock characters and plot devices, blending them with their own innovations. This fusion of ancient and contemporary elements created a new comedic style that both entertained and provided social commentary.

Influence of Greek and Roman Comedy on Renaissance Theater

Plautus and Terence's influence on commedia dell'arte

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• Plautus and Terence adapted Greek New Comedy featuring stock characters (clever servant, young lovers), mistaken identities, and farcical situations
• Commedia dell'arte emerged in 16th-century Italy as improvisational theater performed by professional actors on temporary outdoor stages based on sketches or scenarios
• Adopted elements from Plautine and Terentian comedy including stock characters, masks exaggerating facial features to convey character types, physical comedy, acrobatics, and improvisation
• Plots revolved around themes similar to Roman comedy such as conflicts between generations, social classes, genders and trickery, deception, disguise to achieve goals
• Traveling commedia dell'arte troupes spread the influence of Roman comedy throughout Europe

Renaissance adaptations of classical comedy

• Shakespeare and Molière heavily influenced by works of Plautus and Terence
• Shakespeare's early comedies drew from Plautine models
  • The Comedy of Errors based on Plautus' Menaechmi and Amphitruo featuring mistaken identities and farcical situations
  • The Taming of the Shrew incorporates elements of Plautus' Casina with plot centered around "taming" a shrewish woman
• Molière's plays adapted stock characters and situations of Roman comedy to satirize 17th-century French society
  • Tartuffe features religious hypocrite attempting to deceive gullible old man echoing themes from Plautus and Terence
  • The Miser draws inspiration from Plautus' Aulularia centering on miserly old man and his buried treasure
• Blended farcical elements of Roman comedy with more sophisticated characterization and social commentary showcasing their own unique innovations

Classical elements in Renaissance plays

• Incorporated stock characters from Greek and Roman comedy
  • Clever servant (servus callidus) who helps young lover (Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew)
  • Braggart soldier (miles gloriosus) adapted as Parolles in All's Well That Ends Well
  • Foolish old man (senex amator) easily deceived (Orgon in Tartuffe)
• Adapted common plot devices from classical comedy
  • Mistaken identity and disguise (Twelfth Night, As You Like It)
  • "Blocking figure" opposing young lovers, often parent or guardian (The School for Wives)
  • Recognition scene (anagnorisis) where true identities revealed (final act of The Comedy of Errors)
• Explored similar themes as Greek and Roman plays
  • Triumph of wit and cleverness over authority and social hierarchy
  • Power of love to overcome obstacles and bring happy resolution
  • Exposure of hypocrisy, greed, human foibles through satirical portrayal

Humanism's role in comedy revival

• Humanism emphasized study of classical texts and ideas to revive cultural and literary achievements of ancient Greece and Rome for moral guidance and inspiration
• Rediscovery of Plautus' and Terence's plays by humanist scholars sparked renewed interest in classical comedy
  • Edited, translated, published works of Roman playwrights making them more accessible
  • Praised wit, elegance, moral insights of classical comedy as model for contemporary writers
• Humanist education exposed Renaissance playwrights to classical comedic works through study of Latin and Greek
  • Shakespeare and Molière likely encountered plays of Plautus and Terence as part of schooling informing their own comedic writing and adaptation of ancient conventions
• Humanist emphasis on value of classical learning created receptive environment for revival of Roman comedic traditions
  • Renaissance audiences, particularly those with humanist educations, appreciated references to classical works and themes
  • Adaptation of classical comedy allowed playwrights to showcase own erudition while entertaining and edifying audiences