WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
Shakespeare and the Stage / With a Complete List of Theatrical Terms Used by Shakespeare in His Plays and Poems, Arranged in Alphabetical Order, & Explanatory Notes cover

Shakespeare and the Stage / With a Complete List of Theatrical Terms Used by Shakespeare in His Plays and Poems, Arranged in Alphabetical Order, & Explanatory Notes

Chapter 59: CORIOLANUS
By Maurice Jonas
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

History - BritishHistory - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A historical and practical study of dramatic performance and stagecraft that traces how medieval religious spectacles gave way to secular comedy and tragedy, examines inn-yard presentations and purpose-built playhouses, and surveys company organization, acting practice, court performances, and theatrical allusions. The work describes theatre architecture, audience arrangements, production practices, and contemporary documents and illustrations, and concludes with an alphabetically arranged glossary of stage terms associated with Shakespeare, each entry supplied with explanatory notes to clarify period usage and theatrical meaning.

CORIOLANUS

MUMMERS.

If you chance to be pinched with the colic, you make faces like mummers.

II, 1, 83.

In the fourteenth century, mummings were the customary entertainments held at the Court on festive occasions. They consisted of men in masquerade, performing in dumb show, with the addition of dancing. The word is derived from mum, an articulate sound made with closed lips. Anyone taking part in these mummings was called a mummer. The meaning of the word in its slang and contemptuous reference to an actor is of quite modern date. These mummings or disguisings—both these terms were used indifferently—continued to be presented until the first quarter of the sixteenth century, at which date they assumed the name of masks, and were of a more elaborate nature than the older form of entertainment, speaking parts being added, which were generally written in verse. This is the only instance in which Shakespeare uses the word.

ACTING. PART.

It is a part that I shall blush in acting.

II, 2, 149.

ACTOR.

Like a dull actor now, I have forgot my part, and I am out.

V, 3, 40.

SCENE. ACT.

When he might act the woman in the scene, He proved the best man.

II, 2, 100.

The gods look down, and this unnatural scene they laugh at.

V, 3, 184.

PROMPT.

So then the Volsces stand but as at first;
Ready, when time shall prompt them to make road upon’s again.

III, 1, 6.

Come, come, we’ll prompt you.

III, 2, 95.