Masque

From ArticleWorld

During the 16th and 17th centuries a new form of entertainment developed, called the masque. It has roots in the Italian Pageant and became very popular among the high society. Several personalities performed in them and enjoyed themselves very much by doing so. Examples can be given in Anne of Denmark or Henry VIII. The people involved in the performance and guests as well wore masks, thus the name masque.

Although they are not played any more, there are manuscripts and texts that are used as study material. The most well known is given by Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream”, where Pyramus and Thysbe played at a wedding, much like in the manner masques were performed. At the end the actors danced with the audience and when it was offer they took off their masks.

Elements

Masques were very complex. They went far beyond a simple presentation and their goal was to make the patron happy and proud while praising him. The stage used was very complex. Directors would hire famous architects to aid them in building it and the same attention was paid to the costumes that were to be used. A masque performance involved actors, singers, dancers and different entertainers. Courtiers also enjoyed getting involved in such shows, making their popularity become even higher.

History

The Masque started to come into being in the Middle Ages. There were pageants that celebrated important events, often linked with royalty, and these came to take the form of masques. With hidden links to social and political problems they were very appreciated. In Britain there was a special type of masque called a Dumb Show. It consisted of pantomime, directly linked with an important play. The most famous example can be given in a pantomime of Hamlet. Masques were popular during the Elizabethan era but eventually it faded.

During the Renaissance the Ephemeral Masque was formed. The performance was played only once and a lot of effort was put in that show. After playing it everybody forgot about it. Nowadays there aren't many manuscripts and only some drawings, sketches and parts of plays from that time still exist.