masques
Elaborate costumed performances
Masques is the plural of masque, an elaborate form of courtly entertainment popular in 16th and 17th century England.
These theatrical performances combined poetry, music, dance, and lavish costumes, often featuring allegorical themes performed by aristocrats for royal audiences.
Ben Jonson wrote famous masques for the Stuart court.
The spelling distinguishes the theatrical form from ordinary masks.
Author of stage dramas
- dramaturgyArt of theatrical structure
- prosceniumTheater's architectural frame
- soliloquyDramatic speech to oneself
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
comedy · thespian · monologue · dialogue · rehearsal · troupe · repertoire · denouement
Festive event marking occasion
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
- galaFestive formal occasion
- revelryNoisy, lively celebration
- festivityCelebratory occasion or mood
ball · Mardi Gras · Venetian · commedia · merriment · dancing · entertainment · musicians
Concealment through visual blending
- incognitoWith identity concealed
- aliasAdopted false name
- anonymityUnknown identity state
- cloakSleeveless outer wrap
veil · deception · subterfuge · pretense · facade · guise · impersonation · shroud
Visually striking event
- paradeCeremonial public procession
- processionFormal moving line
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
ritual · pomp · grandeur · splendor · fanfare · torchlight · banquet · nobility
playwright
Author of stage dramas
- dramaturgyArt of theatrical structure
- prosceniumTheater's architectural frame
- soliloquyDramatic speech to oneself
tragedy · comedy · thespian · monologue · dialogue · rehearsal · troupe · repertoire · denouement · intermission
celebration
Festive event marking occasion
festivity · ball · Mardi Gras · Venetian · commedia · merriment · dancing · entertainment · musicians · torches
camouflage
Concealment through visual blending
cloak · veil · deception · subterfuge · pretense · facade · guise · impersonation · shroud · concealment
spectacle
Visually striking event
- paradeCeremonial public procession
- processionFormal moving line
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
ceremony · ritual · pomp · grandeur · splendor · fanfare · torchlight · banquet · nobility · aristocracy
attire
Personal garments collectively
vestments · apparel · ensemble · regalia · finery · doublet · bodice · headdress · feathers · gilded
- Early English VerseChaucer, Spenser, Milton, Shakespeare, Donne
- vocal musicsong, vocals, soprano, tenor, alto
- Early ModernRenaissance, 1500s, 1600s, Reformation, sixteenth century
- theater historyGreek tragedy, vaudeville, William Shakespeare, Drury Lane, Christopher Marlowe
- Court Entertainmentjesters, jester, court jester, court fool, fools
- Early Modern EnglandLondon, Shakespeare, Globe Theatre, Queen Elizabeth, Cromwell
masquesstreet theatre
Outdoor public performance art
farces · jigs · drolls · interludes · puppet shows
- masquerade ballFormal dance with disguises
- masquerade maskFestive facial disguise