Scholastic Jesuit Theatre – a Part of Political Theatre in Great Duchy of Lithuania Cover Image

MOKYKLINIS JĖZUITŲ TEATRAS – POLITINIO LIETUVOS DIDŽIOSIOS KUNIGAIKŠTYSTĖS TEATRO DALIS
Scholastic Jesuit Theatre – a Part of Political Theatre in Great Duchy of Lithuania

Author(s): Eugenija Ulčinaitė
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Vilniaus Universiteto Leidykla

Summary/Abstract: At the beginning scholastic Jesuit theatre was considered to be a part of didactic teaching programme. During their performances students were trained to associate with spectators, develop their memory, articulation, review the knowledge of the Latin language, meditate upon religious, moral values. New academic years used to begin and end with students’ performances, they supplemented various state and religious celebrations, gave honour to outstanding heroes of past and present. Eventually, however, scholastic theatre overgrew these didactic aims: from academic lecture- halls they spread into the streets and squares of the town, became inseparable part of the town life, helped to form esthetic taste of spectators, impressively expressed the baroque spirit. The article analysis comedies, recitations and paratheatrical plays performed by the students of old Vilnius university show in political and social events by using different theatre forms. The biggest part of the analysis is devoted to the drama “About peace” written by the university professor Kasper Pentkovski (Kasper Pætkowski, 1554–1612).

  • Issue Year: 46/2004
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 75-85
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Lithuanian