Download Roman drama was a decadent imitation of Greek drama

Roman drama was a decadent imitation of Greek drama. It deteriorated at
last into interpretive dances called pantomimes, vulgar farces called mimes
and colossal gladiatorial contests in which the slaughter of human beings
and beasts became the emotional delight of the audience. The Roman theater
at first resembled the Greek, with a heightened skene elaborately decorated
with arches and statues of varying sizes. Gradually the theatre was extended
into a circular arena surrounded by towering tiers of seats. Strangely enough
when Rome had no theaters 2 writers of comedy stood out Plautus and
Terence. 200 years later when Rome had constructed huge amphitheaters
only Seneca a writer of tragedies attempted anything like a play. Seneca’s
plays are usually referred to as a closet drama meaning they are meant to be
read rather than acted. A playwright could not compete with the chariot
races and the Circus Maximus or real naval battles on the open seas. Romans
wanted vulgarity and coarseness. The moral decay brought Rome’s demise.
During the Dark ages following the decline of Rome, only wandering
players called histriones and minstrels called jongleurs dept the drama alive
with their dancing, singing juggling, acrobatics and marionette shows. From
400 BC to the Elizabethan Age of England nearly 2,000 years later not a
single great play was written.
The 3 main types of Medieval European drama were the mystery play, the
miracle play, and the morality play. Mystery plays depicted episodes from
the Bible. Miracle or saint plays dealt with the lives of saints and martyrs.
Morality plays presented personified virtues and vices in dramas depicting
the moral struggle of the soul.
The drama owned its revival to religion. During the period from the 5th to the
15th century drama developed along slightly different lines in the various
European nations. In each case it’s rebirth came about because of the
Christian church.The priests gradually introduced tropes, liturgical chants
added to the mass so that the people who could neither read nor write might
learn of the great events in Biblical history. From the stations of the cross
church plays evolved. They drew large crowds and then the performances
necessitated outdoor presentations. Latin was used and the performers were
nuns, priests, and choirboys. Gradually church drama expanded to present
more and more Bible stories. Plays were translated from the Latin and little
by little lay members of the parishes took part in the performances. The
Miracle and Mystery plays were based on the lives of saints and on stories in
the Bible. The Passion Play which is concerned with the last week in the life
of Christ is and example of the Medieval drama. It is still given in Europe at
oberammergau, Germany where it was first performed in 1634. It has been
been produced every 10 years since 1760. In the United States the Black
Hills Passion Play group at Spearfish South Dakota performs all summer and
in Florida during the Winter.