Renaissance Dance Research Paper

Although there were many types of dances, dancing in the Elizabethan Era had certain etiquette. Dancing was a formal and special matter. It had many formations and styles (Miller / Renaissance Dance Steps). These styles included Singles and Doubles, Saltarello, Reverence, and Signals. These forms of etiquette were the guidelines of dancing in that time (Singman 137).

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.

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

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.

The Renaissance period then bled into the Baroque period where we see few small changes were made. During this time Dance dictation is taken for the first time, which is still used

Throughout all forms of art there are several ways to portray a message to an audience, whether it be through a painting about the meat industry or a song about an unjust legal system, expression can take on many different forms. No matter what the message or motivations of the piece, it is up to the artist how they want it portrayed. Dance is no exception to this rule, in today's world dance is one of the most popular ways to spread a message. From flash mobs to protest art dance is one of the most visible forms of expression people recognize today and these pieces of art are always evolving and changing to fit the wants and needs of the artist.

Just when social dancing was at its height, World War 2 put a stop to its popularity. Lack of attendance, plus the intricate rhythmic patterns of modern jazz music, which were too complex for social dancing, led to the closing of dance halls and ballrooms. With the demise of social dance, the growth of jazz dance as a professional dance form began. During the 1940’s, jazz dance was influenced by ballet and modern dance. By blending the classical technique of ballet with the natural bodily expression of modern dance, jazz developed a sophisticated artistic quality. Unlike early jazz dance, which was performed by talented entertainers without formal training, modern jazz dance was performed by professionals trained in ballet and modern dance.

French Ballet began in the 17th century. It was a flamboyant entertainment presented in front of the aristocracy and royalty in the courts. French Ballet was also performed when they were celebrating marriages and showing off the wealth and power of the ruler. Besides, Ballet was called “la belle danse”, and it means “the beautiful dance.” In order to help the audience to recognize the characters in the story, dancers usually wore extravagant costumes. Moreover, the idea of different ballet movements was based on the social dance of royal courts, like beautiful arm and upper body movements and floor patterns were included. Also, in the beginning, only men were allowed to dance ballet, and women played the first ballet with parts until 1681.

During the Early Modern period, dance had many uses; it was considered a form of medicine, a sign of religious exaltation, and a social necessity. Dance was a popular form of exercise and hygiene, keeping the humors in balance and promoting good health much like hunting, walking,

Dance has been around since the earliest of human times. However, the formalization of dance came long after humans were dancing. As cultures became more developed, people could focus on other things such as rituals, dances, costumes, and entertainment (Hooper). This led to entertainment not only for the royalty and leaders of a society, but also entertainment for the commoner. Kassing notes that as the Renaissance arrived, performances in court became much more common as a form of entertainment to please the ruling class. Catherine de’ Medici is known for bringing ballet to France, where it became quite popular, according to Kassing’s report. The Paris Opera (originally the Académie Royale de Musique) was founded by Louis XIV and its ballet

Although this was very important in this time the technique and movement of this era is where my real focus lies. Within this era there were 5 selected dance steps that were always used and then put together into a sequence. The 5 steps are; demi coupe, coupe, pas de bourree, temps de courante and the minuet step. All of these steps were then put together and you had do them and in a faster manor which was hard because you aren't familiar with the steps but it is a step you know

A pavane is a sixteenth century dance used in the French court, Is was a slow dance using a duple meter. Casteredes Pavane uses a duple meter and is very slow. This movement is all about the trumpet with the piano providing harmonic support, unlike the first movement.

The Pavan was a ceremonial court processional dance where Elizabethan couples danced around the hall and lightly touched tips of the fingers. It comprised of a pattern of five steps, that is why its alternative name was 'Cinque pas’, an alternative name for the Pavane was Cinque Pas because it meant five steps, literally. The Volt was the only Elizabethan court dance which allowed the dancers to embrace closely. In this dance, the women were lifted high in the air by their male partner. The Canary, last but not at least is a Spanish dance described as happy but weird.

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