Entertainment In The Earlier Ages
B1 – B2
Module 2
January 17
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SUMMARY
Here’s What
We Will Be
Learning:
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Evolution of entertainment from Ancient to
Medieval ages.
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Types of Medieval Entertainment.
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Entertainment during the Industrial Revolution.
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Entertainment in the late 1800s.
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Exercises.
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VOCABULARY
1.
Knight: (in the Middle Ages) A man who served his sovereign or lord as a
mounted soldier in armour.
2.
Pageantry: Elaborate display or ceremony.
3.
Show Off: To behave in a way that is intended to attract people’s attention
and make them admire you.
4.
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Three–ring circus: A circus with simultaneous performances in three rings.
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VOCABULARY
5.
Spring up: To appear or develop quickly and/or suddenly.
6.
Big Top: The main tent in a circus.
7.
Mummer: An actor in a traditional masked mime or a play.
8.
Feat: An action or a piece of work that needs skill, strength or courage.
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What Did People Do In The Earlier
Ages For Entertainment?
Entertainment has always been a part of culture and tradition no matter the
country, place, or time. It’s origins are from stories and lessons handed down
from one generation to another until it simply became a favourite way to pass
the time.
Entertainment has evolved into different forms according to purpose and has
also varied according to status.
Let’s talk about the different forms of entertainment during the olden days.
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Forms of Entertainment in Earlier Ages
ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH BANQUETS
Since ancient times, banquets have been
commonly hosted by nobles as a form of
entertainment, they were often big, grand events
especially during the Renaissance period. Their
main purpose was for nobles to show off the riches
and influence.
There was lots of food and entertainers to entertain
people like jesters, jugglers, musicians and
mummers. They were there to entertain the King’s
guests and make sure they were happy.
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A Medieval Feast
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ENTERTAINMENT IN EARLIER AGES THROUGH CIRCUS AND FAIRS
The term "circus", meaning a large public entertainment featuring performing
animals, clowns, feats of skill and daring, pageantry, etc. The Circus Maximus was
another public entertainment centre were chariot races were held.
Fairs were an important part of medieval life. They would have fairs, carnivals, and
feasts to celebrate important holidays.
The Circus Maximus in Rome - built
about 600 B.C., seated 200,000
Fair in Medieval Days
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Exercise: (Conversation)
1. Do you know games during Medieval time or earlier age?
2. What is the difference between feat, fete and feet?
3. Explain the meaning of “Pageantry”?
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ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH STORYTELLING BY TROUBADOURS:
Another popular form of entertainment was the troubadour. Troubadours were men
who travelled from town to town singing and playing music telling romantic stories
about knights and heroes. They also told stories of far lands and historical events.
A Troubadour playing his fiddle.
A Story Teller.
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ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH GAMES AND GLADIATORS:
At first, games were played for the sake of
recreation. From the Mesoamerican ballgames which
involved ritual sacrifices, to childish board games.
Games used various equipment, using balls, boards,
or dices that were made specifically for that game.
Gladiator Game in the Colosseum
A Gladiator Game was essentially a fighting contest. Held
in an open area, with seats all around for spectators to
watch, people simply placed temporary seats into an
outdoor space.
Mesoamerican Ballgames
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What were some forms of entertainment
during the Industrial Revolution?
●
New forms of entertainment sprang up during the Industrial Revolution. The
Industrial Revolution saw only the rise of new technology that altered people's
way of life.
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Technological innovations, made it possible to enjoy more time on leisure
activities. Department stores, amusement parks, museums and circuses
became popular, as did concerts, operas, vaudeville acts and burlesque shows.
●
A form of mass entertainment that emerged was spectator sports, such as
baseball, boxing and football which have remained just as popular today.
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What were three main forms of
entertainment in the late 1800's?
In the late 1880's, three popular forms of
entertainment
were
vaudeville
variety
shows, the circus and baseball.
The 1880's saw vaudeville bring together
Vaudeville Performers.
diverse theatrical acts, the circus expand
under the big top to three rings and the
merger of professional baseball leagues.
A Barnum & Bailey
Poster.
The First Baseball Team.
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Exercise:
1. Give Synonyms of “Spectator”.
2. Explain the meaning of and Make a sentence using “Show Off”.
3. Spot the silent letter from the following words:
“Knight”, “League”, and “Burlesque”.
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