THA104 — History of Drama and Theatre from the Beginnings to Medieval Period: Lecture Note

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THA 104 LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS

THA 104 LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: THA 104 Course title: History of Drama and Theatre from the Beginnings to Medieval Period Course credit load: 2 Units List of Series: • Series 1: Origins of Drama and Theatre • Series 2: Theories of Theatre Beginnings • Series 3: Ritual, Oral, and Textual Traditions • Series 4: Stages, Plays, and Performance Conditions • Series 5: Medieval Theatre and Social Conventions 1 Origins of Drama and Theatre Series Outline • Part 1 (1.1): Early Human Expression and Performance o Sub-Part 1.1.1: Symbolic communication in the Stone Age o Sub-Part 1.1.2: Dance, music, and storytelling as proto-theatre • Part 2 (1.2): Ritual Foundations of Drama o Sub-Part 1.2.1: Religious and communal rituals o Sub-Part 1.2.2: Role of myth and ceremony in shaping performance • Part 3 (1.3): Oral Traditions and Narrative Practices o Sub-Part 1.3.1: Folklore and epic storytelling o Sub-Part 1.3.2: Transmission of cultural memory through performance • Part 4 (1.4): Emergence of Structured Theatrical Forms o Sub-Part 1.4.1: Transition from ritual to play

THA 104 LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS o Sub-Part 1.4.2: Early conventions of dramatic representation Introduction Drama and theatre did not appear suddenly, but rather evolved gradually from the earliest human attempts to express ideas, beliefs, and emotions. From the Stone Age, people used symbolic gestures, dance, and storytelling to communicate and preserve their experiences. These practices laid the foundation for what we now recognise as theatre. The aim of this Series is to trace the beginnings of drama and theatre, showing how human expression, ritual, and oral traditions gradually developed into structured forms of performance. We shall commence this Series by examining how early humans used symbolic communication, dance, and storytelling as proto-theatre. Next, we will explore the ritual foundations of drama, focusing on religious and communal practices. Subsequently, we will consider oral traditions and narrative practices, including folklore and epic storytelling. Finally, we will conclude by analysing how these traditions gave rise to structured theatrical forms and conventions. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define early human forms of symbolic communication and performance, • SLO 1.2 explain how rituals contributed to the foundations of drama, • SLO 1.3 analyse the role of oral traditions in preserving and transmitting cultural narratives, • SLO 1.4 evaluate the transition from ritual practices to structured theatrical forms. 1.1 Early Human Expression and Performance 1.1.1 Symbolic communication in the Stone Age

THA 104 LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Early humans relied on symbolic communication, which refers to the use of signs, gestures, or images to convey meaning beyond spoken words. Cave paintings, carvings, and body movements were not merely decorative, but served as ways to record experiences, beliefs, and communal values. These symbolic acts can be seen as the earliest seeds of performance, since they involved representation and interpretation. Short description: Illustration of Stone Age cave paintings showing hunting scenes. Figure 1.1 Stone Age cave paintings as symbolic communication In-text question: Early humans used __________ to represent experiences and beliefs, laying the foundation for performance. 1.1.2 Dance, music, and storytelling as proto-theatre Alongside visual symbols, humans expressed themselves through dance, defined as rhythmic movement often accompanied by music, and storytelling, which is the oral narration of events or myths. These practices were communal, performed around fires or during rituals, and they helped to strengthen social bonds. Music, using simple instruments like drums or rattles, added rhythm and atmosphere, turning gatherings into proto-theatrical events.

THA 104 LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Short description: Image of a group of early humans dancing around a fire. Plate 1.1 Dance and music as proto-theatre In-text question: Storytelling, dance, and music in early societies can be described as forms of __________ theatre. Pilot questions 1.1 1. Which of the following best describes symbolic communication in the Stone Age? a. Oral narration of myths b. Use of signs, gestures, or images c. Rhythmic movement with music d. Dramatic plays with dialogue 2. Cave paintings in the Stone Age were primarily used to: a. Decorate living spaces

THA 104 LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS b. Record experiences and beliefs c. Entertain children d. Teach farming techniques 3. Which practice combined rhythmic movement and music to create proto-theatre? a. Storytelling b. Dance c. Symbolic communication d. Carving 4. Storytelling in early societies served to: a. Strengthen social bonds b. Replace rituals c. Provide written records d. Entertain rulers only 5. Music in proto-theatre was often produced using: a. String instruments b. Drums and rattles c. Pianos d. Electronic devices 1.2 Ritual Foundations of Drama 1.2.1 Religious and communal rituals Early societies often engaged in rituals, defined as repeated ceremonial acts performed for religious or social purposes. These rituals included sacrifices, dances, and chants, which were

THA 104 LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS believed to connect humans with divine forces or strengthen community bonds. Rituals were performed in designated spaces, often with costumes or masks, and they introduced elements of role-playing that later influenced drama. Short description: Image of a group of people performing a ritual dance with masks. Plate 1.2 Ritual dance with masks in early societies In-text question: Rituals in early societies were repeated ceremonial acts performed for __________ or social purposes. 1.2.2 Role of myth and ceremony in shaping performance Myth refers to traditional stories that explain natural or social phenomena, often involving gods or heroes. When myths were enacted through ceremonies, they became performative, blending narrative with ritual action. These ceremonies introduced dramatic conventions such as dialogue, impersonation, and symbolic gestures. In this way, myth and ceremony together shaped the foundations of drama.

THA 104 LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Short description: Diagram showing the link between myth, ceremony, and performance. Figure 1.2 Relationship between myth, ceremony, and performance In-text question: When myths were enacted through ceremonies, they introduced elements such as __________ and symbolic gestures. Pilot questions 1.2 1. Rituals in early societies were primarily intended to: a. Entertain rulers b. Connect humans with divine forces c. Teach farming techniques d. Decorate communal spaces 2. Which of the following is a key feature of ritual performance? a. Improvisation without repetition b. Repeated ceremonial acts

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