22. What was masque and why can A Midsummer Night's Dream be considered to have some

of its features?

Masque - a form of festive courtly entertainment which flourished in sixteenth and early seventeenth century Europe, though it was developed earlier in Italy. Masque involved music and dancing, singing and acting, within an elaborate stage design, in which the architectural framing and costumes might be designed by a renowned architect, to present a allegory flattering to the patron. Professional actors and musicians were hired for the speaking and singing parts. Often, the masquers who did not speak or sing were courtiers (dworzanie).

MND

“Pyramus and Thysbe” play, played at a wedding, performed much like in the manner masques were performed. Spectators were invited to join in the dancing. At the end, the players would take off their masks to reveal their identities. Exactly as in the masques, everything is an occurrence and a living picture rather than a plot. We feel throughout the play that like the masques it was originally intended for private entertainment. The resemblance with the masques is still heightened by the completely lyrical, not to say operatic (operowa) characteristic of the Midsummer Night's Dream.

Jakby się komuś chciało to tu jest spory esej o tym dlaczego MND przypomina Masque

http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/midsummer004.html

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