Theatres of asia chap 12 (1)

Question 1

What is Sanskrit drama?

Answer 1

The drama that remains from the tradition of the Indian Golden Age is a group of plays written in Sanskrit, the language of the noble classes, to be performed in various court circles.

Question 2

What is the Natyasastra?

Answer 2

A written piece of work that describes the mythological origin of theatre in India and also presents important material about the nature of Indian drama; it even includes a description of the theatre space in which performances took place.

Question 3

What is Rasa?

Answer 3

Rasa: As defined in the Natyasastra, quality or flavor that characterizes a dramatic situation.

Question 4

______also serves as a kind of encyclopedia of indian theatrical practice.

Answer 4

The Natyasastra also serves as a kind of encyclopedia of indian theatrical practice.

Question 5

Which plays usually drew on themes from Indian epic literature?

Answer 5

Sanscrit Drama

Question 6

Which is the most famous Sanskrit drama and who is the author of it?

Answer 6

Shakuntala, whose author is Kalidasa,

Question 7

Shakuntala, which is subtitled _______

Answer 7

Shakuntala, which is subtitled The Recovered Ring

Question 8

Which Sanskrit drama had elements like secret marriage, forgetfulness caused by a curse, and a magic ring?

Answer 8

Shakuntala.

Question 9

Scenery was evidently used in Sanskrit dramas. although elaborate costumes probably were not. True or false?

Answer 9

False. Scenery was not used, although elaborate costumes probably were.

Question 10

Which theatre consisted of a leader,
the sudtradhara?

Answer 10

Sanskrit drama.

Question 11

What is Kathakali?

Answer 11

In kathakali, stories of strong passions, the furies of gods, and the loves and hates of extraordinary human beings are told in dance and mime.

Question 12

What is Nō theatre?

Answer 12

Nō: Rigidly traditional form of Japanese drama combining music, dance, and lyrics

Question 13

_________ a remarkably successful synthesis of various theatrical forms into a single, total experience.

Answer 13

Noh was a remarkably successful synthesis of various theatrical forms into a single, total experience.

Question 14

What are the characteristics of Noh theatre?

Answer 14

• Nō actors trained from childhood and became adept at singing, acting, dancing, and mime.
• remarkably sophisticated in language and content
• constructed around a definite series of
  organizational principles based on musical, psychological, and mimetic—or
  imitative—movements
• Often from literary or historical
  sources

Question 15

A _____play reveals some working out of passions felt by a character, who
often appears as a ghost or spirit

Answer 15

Noh play

Question 16

What are the major roles in NOh theatre?

Answer 16

The major roles in nō are the shite
(SHEE-tay), or the main character, who is
often masked; the waki, a supporting character; and the tsure, an accompanying role.

There may be various smaller parts as well, including a kyōgen.

Question 17

What is Hashigakari?

Answer 17

Hashigakari: Bridge in nō theatre on which the performers make their entrance from the dressing area to the platform stage

Question 18

During the performance of a _____ the actors alternate sections of chanting with a kind of heightened speech that might best be compared to recitative, sung dialogue in Western opera.

Answer 18

During the performance of a nō text, the actors alternate sections of chanting with a kind ofheightened speech that might best be compared to recitative, sung dialogue in Western opera.

Question 19

Which Japanese theatre has actors move in a highly stylized fashion that involves important elements of both dance and pantomime?

Answer 19

Noh theatre