Middle Ages

 

 I

Unit: Medieval Times

Theme: Dance

 

Introduction

 In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and transitioned into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery.

 

II

Learning Objectives

 

  • Understand the importance of the Middle Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire
  • Explain the role of dance in upper and lower social classes in Medieval society
  • Gain an awareness of the differences between profane and sacred dances across times
  • Realize the impact of Catholicism on the syncretic festivals that emerged in the Americas 
  • Experience the main steps of a Medieval dance scene

 

 

III

Main Lesson

 

 

1

Middle Ages

 

Question 1

Which events are important during the Middle Ages?
 

2

Profane Dances

 

LINK
 


 
 Question 2

After a brief search, explain who was Giovanni Baccacio and Domenico de Piacenza? Why are they important names in the world of dance?

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 3
 
Romeo and Juliet
 
c
Moresca Dance


Question 3
 
After reading about the moresca, what are the discrepancies between the description given in the book and the scene in the movie? 

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 4
 
Choreographic Elements 
 
 

(2:53)

The video above shows the main steps of a Medieval court dance.

Try the steps.


Question 4

Why do you think these steps and no others were created around this time?
 
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5
 
 Village Dances

 
 
6
 
MAIN POINTS ABOUT MEDIEVAL DANCE

  • Dance was not considered an art; its function was limited.
  • It had a social purpose for the nobility, basically show wealth and alternate with other nobles.
  • It had an entertaining purpose for the peasants, who danced during some pagan festivals that increasingly became co-opted by the Catholic Church.
  • When it was done as a form of worship, it was condemned by the church as sorcery.
  • The body was a source of sinful behavior so, it was not welcomed by the Catholic Church.

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 7
 
Sacred Manifestations
 
Exercise
Find the saint commemorated the day of your birth.
Question 5
Write about the life of the saint of your birthday and the historic period in which he/she lived.
 
Introduction
 (354 - 430)
 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/augustine/
 
[Transition from Greek philosophy to Christian Philosophy) 

 a)
 
 St Juliana of Cornillon (c 1192-1258)
 Blessed Eva of Liège (c 1205-1265)
 https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/14/saint-of-the-day-14-march-blessed-eva-of-liege-c-1205-1265-virgin/
 
[Beginning of the Festival of Corpus Christi through pope Urban IV's orders]

 b)
 
Virgin Mary / Virgen de la Candelaria (18 BC - 33 AD)
 https://ucatholic.com/blog/the-miraculous-history-of-our-lady-of-the-candle/
 
 [The Catholic Candelmas is the 40th day of the Christmas – Epiphany season. It celebrates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary. It may have evolved from the ancient Roman spring purification festival of Lupercalia.]
 
 c)
 
Patron Saints
 
Jesus of Nazareth / The Savior 
(Born between 6 bce and shortly before the death of Herod the Great (Matthew 2; Luke 1:5) in 4 bce.)
(Died in 1st-century Judaea, most likely in AD 30 or AD 33)
 https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1433/
 
[San Salvador refers to the Divine Savior of the World (a.k.a. Jesus Christ)]
 
https://www.javeamigos.com/all-the-fun-of-the-fiesta/july-16-virgen-del-carmen/ 
 
[Carmen is another invocation of the Virgin Mary, is the patron saint of the sea, and particular of the Spanish Navy and her feast day is celebrated on July 16th which a modest celebration in the port zone of Xàbia.] 
 
 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Teresa-of-Avila
 
[She was the originator of the Carmelite Reform, which restored and emphasized the austerity and contemplative character of primitive Carmelite life.]
 
  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Joseph
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8
 
Sincretic Events
 
Influence of the Medieval Era on the Americas
 
a)
 https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/dances-and-expressions-associated-with-the-corpus-christi-festivity-01612?RL=01612
 
 b)
 
https://library.osu.edu/site/dancingwithdevils/diablada/ 
 
ii. Diablada de Oruro / Bolivia
 
 https://boliviatravelsite.com/travel-articles/oruro-carnival-dance/diablada-dance
 
 https://www.peruforless.com/blog/a-puno-festival-celebrating-the-virgin-of-candelaria/
 
 

c)
 
 https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/festivity-of-las-parrandas-in-the-centre-of-cuba-01405
 
 https://www.cubagrouptour.com/us/information/events-in-cuba/parrandas-remedios
 
 https://havanatimes.org/features/cubas-parrandas-a-tradition-in-danger-of-being-lost/


 

 9

Medieval Japan

 

 

 

Gagaku, characterized by long, slow songs and dance-like movements, is the oldest of the Japanese traditional performing arts. It is performed at banquets and ceremonies in the Imperial Palace and in theatres throughout the country, and encompasses three distinct arts. The first, Kuniburi no Utamai, features ancient Japanese songs, partial accompaniment by harp and flute and simple choreography. The second consists of instrumental music (especially wind instruments) and a ceremonial dance developed on the Asian continent and subsequently adapted by Japanese artists. The third, Utamono, is danced to vocal music whose texts include Japanese folk songs and Chinese poems. 

 

Influenced by the politics and culture of different periods over its long evolution, Gagaku continues to be transmitted to apprentices by masters in the Music Department of the Imperial Household Agency, many of whom are the descendants of families with deep roots in the art. It is not only an important cultural tool in confirming Japanese identity and a crystallization of the history of Japanese society, but also a demonstration of how multiple cultural traditions can be fused into a unique heritage through constant recreation over time. 

 

 Kamakura Palace Unohana Festival Houei no Mai (shrine maiden dance in the glittering light) Daitonomiya Concert Performance

 
Question 5
 
Compare and contrast the medieval times in Europe and Japan.
 
 
 
 
IV
 
A Note to Remember 
 
Throughout the Carolingian era (eighth to tenth centuries) and the later Middle Ages, dancing was a part of all types of celebrations, both formal and informal. It could involve a solo dancer, couples, or groups of any size, and was accompanied by music that was either sung or played on instruments of all types.


V
Case Study

Romeo and Juliet

In the Italian city of Verona, the Montague and the Capulet families are perpetually feuding. When Romeo (Leonard Whiting), a handsome young Montague, disregards convention by attending a Capulet ball, he falls in love with the beautiful Juliet (Olivia Hussey), a Capulet. After a brief courtship, the two elope, creating even greater tension between their families. Italian director Franco Zeffirelli's film, Romeo and Juliet (1968). is considered one of the best screen versions of Shakespeare's classic love story.
 
 
 


Question 6

Based on the scene above, what was the purpose of court dances during European Medieval times?


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VI

ACTIVITY


Let us put some steps together and dance.
 
Using the video shown above, create an 8 steps phrase.
 

VII

Journaling

 

VIII

Glossary

 

IX

Sources

 List of Saints at Rome by Italian Name. 

 https://romanchurches.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_saints_at_Rome_by_Italian_name

 

 X

Students' Work 
 

 

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