Elizabethan Life/Elizabethan Dance

Irish step dancing has existed since the 1700’s, over 300 years. Families in Ireland have passed down Irish step dance from generation to generation as a way of preserving their culture. While the meaning of the dance remains the same, the performance and showmanship has changed dramatically. From girls and boys with pale skin and natural hair to girls with fake tanned skin, huge curly wigs, and thousand dollar dresses and boys with fake tanned skin and outlandish outfits. Irish dance has become more of a spectacle—such as “Riverdance” and “Lord of the Dance.” Those dances are some of the most enjoyable and respected around the world. Over time this type of dance has taken on a life of its own and changed

Dance began as a form of communication and storytelling. Thousands of years ago dancing served as a way for people to tell a story and helped distract themselves of the hardships they faced. Furthermore, dance was a form of storytelling through communication, which then turned into using storytelling through dance as entertainment. According to the History World, many dancers during the BC time danced in front of only a few people to get a story across. That later turned into hundreds of thousands of people as dance was used by many. Today, dance is also a form of entertainment and storytelling, but in a modern sense. However, today perfection and technique are stressed more than they were in the past. Yet, the passion for dance has not changed. Many dancers who share this passion also have many of the same qualities. Among a discourse community of trained dancers, one expects to find individuals who are healthy and active athletes, expect perfection from themselves through competition, and religiously attend dance performances.

The Shawnee Indians were know for a style of dance called the Stomp Dance. Men, women, and children would participate in this dance. During this dance, a lead man would dance one round, in a counter-clockwise circle and sing. Then, alternating women and men would line up behind the leader in a single-file with the children at the end. This dance is performed during the summer several times a year. They are danced on ceremonial grounds which was usually a square dance area with a fire. The Shawnee Indians do this dance to celebrate their culture.

However, just because the style of dance that was established was out of touch with the revolutionaries does not mean that dance did not thrive and adapt to the times. During the Revolution, ballet took on three distinct forms: ballet based in

Ballet started in the late 1400s during the Renaissance. When Catherine de Medici who married King Henry the second of France know for throwing large parties. These parties would last for 8 hours straight of music, food, dancing and other entrainment. These

So Court dance is related to folk dance, dance demonstrated hierarchy in relationships, demonstration of power, dance for the king, emperor, monarch, sultan, etc.

Dancing also affects the plot of Pride and Prejudice. During the ball at Netherfield, Darcy dances with Elizabeth, and two important things happen during this dance. First, Darcy’s affection for Elizabeth begins to flourish. As he is dancing with her, they have a little argument. After the dance, Darcy begins to be angry at Elizabeth, but “…in Darcy’s breast there was a tolerable powerful feeling towards [Elizabeth], which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against another.” Also, during this dance Elizabeth’s view of what happened between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham, that Mr. Darcy has shamelessly exploited Mr. Wickham, is established in her own mind. Without dancing, the plot of Pride and

Most of these steps were invented by renowned dancers. Some of the steps are Cat Walk, Ball Change, Pivot Step, Catch Step, and fall over the log, Chasses, Hip Walk, Jazz Run, Jazz Drag, Jazz Walk, Moon Walk, Step, Touch and Twist.

There were many kinds of dances. There were also two different categories of dances (Court and Country dances). Court dances were formal dances performed by well trained dancers. Country dances were dances that anyone could participate in. Each individual dance was used for a different occasion. Usually the first dance of the night was the Pavane which was a slow, walking dance and was usually used to show off gowns or clothing. The Saltarello,

Salsa firstly originated in Eastern Cuba in the early 1900’s, However Cuba was not the only one. Salsa is one of the most vigorous and important musical experience of the 1900’s. They did give origin and history of creation. During World War 2 the music used travelled to New York and various other countries however the term “salsa” was created in New York however they did not create the dance.

Dance is one of the most beautiful, expressive forms of art known to mankind. It expresses joy, love, sorrow, anger, and the list truly goes on for all the possible emotions that it can convey. Dance not only can express how one feels, but it can tell a story or even be used to praise a higher power. Dance has intricately played an important role to every culture over the course of time. Two forms of dance that have not only stood against the test of time but have influenced the development of other various styles of dance is none other than Classical Ballet and Modern Dance.

In the Regency Era in England, in which Pride and Prejudice is set, a rigid set of rules for etiquette and decorum in formal social settings existed. Following these rules demonstrated propriety, a genteel nature, and education—three traits that were seen as desirable; therefore, settings such as hosted balls or dinners, where one’s decorum could be displayed, were common and important functions during the Regency society. In the Regency Era, balls were one of the primary ways a lady or a gentleman could showcase her or himself and attract potential brides or husbands. Dancing was a social skill, and knowledge of the most common styles of dance was expected of every gentry member.

Dance is said to have existed prior to the invention of written languages, and was perhaps an essential aspect of storytelling for the passing of knowledge and information from generation to generation. And it has been, since time immemorial, a part of every culture and religion as a means of self and collective expression.

     In Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, set in the Regency Period, dance performs several important functions.  Dance patterns emulate courtship rituals, marking dance as a microcosm for courtship and marriage - two main themes of the novel.  The Regency period propagated the belief that no ingredient was more essential to a courtship than dancing:  "To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love..." (Austen 7).  Therefore, knowledge of dance - dance steps as well as dance etiquette - was a crucial necessity and was often acquired through study and awareness of conduct codes.  These crucial codes were disseminated through popular courtesy/conduct books, which

These dances eventually evolved to include praise songs and myths that were enacted by trained dancers and actors. By the end of the 5th century BC, these dance dramas were part of entertainment and provided social and political commentary on the times. Amongst the Romans, dance waxed and waned in acceptance by the powers that ruled. Until 200 BC, dance brought life to Roman processions, festivals and celebrations. However, in 150 BC all of the dancing schools were closed as Roman nobility considered dance as suspicious and even dangerous activity of the masses. Dancing has come a long way since ancient times. But there are still some similarities. When people thought up these dances they were trying to express themselves, their emotions, their problems and beliefs. Today we do the same thing. We make up dances according to our attitudes, beliefs, thoughts and feelings. The future will also contain dances that will reflect that society. There are many different kinds of dances. There is ballet, line dancing, slow dancing, the list goes on and on. Some of these dances are slow. Some of them are fast. They all use different type of instruments. Each dance representing a time, an event, an expression or feeling. Each dance expressing something different. Dances will never die. They are too interconnected in the