History of The Puppet
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ScribdTranslationsHistory of The Puppet
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ScribdTranslationsPuppets, also known as marionettes or puppets, have a long history
dating back to different cultures and civilizations around the world. Its
origin is difficult to pinpoint exactly, as different forms of puppets
have existed in various cultures throughout history. Today we will tell
you in general some of the possible origins:
• Ancient Egypt: The ancient Egyptians are believed to have used
articulated figures for religious ceremonies and theatrical
performances. These figures can be considered as precursors of
puppets.
• Ancient Greece and Rome: String and rod puppets were used
in festivals and plays. Aristophanes, a prominent Greek
playwright, mentions the use of puppets in his comedies.
• Asia: Puppetry traditions are especially rich in Asia, and in
China, forms of shadow theatre were developed over 2000 years
ago. In India, puppets were used in shadow theatre and in
performances of epic stories.
• Middle East: In the Middle East region, hand and string puppets
were used to tell stories and convey moral and religious
teachings.
• Medieval Europe: During the Middle Ages, puppets were used
in street shows and fairs. Puppet figures were manipulated by
puppeteers who entertained the public with comic or moral
stories.
Nowadays, a different way for children to learn while having fun is
with puppets and marionettes. Unlike conventional plays, puppets and
marionettes are one of the most widely used resources in theatre.
Actors, popularly known as puppeteers, bring their characters to life
through various control systems such as strings, rods or even their own
hands. Hidden from the audience behind a screen, puppet theatre
manages to communicate emotions, feelings and ideas to both children
and adults in a magical and entertaining way.
Among cultural plans for children, puppets and marionettes are one of
the most educational and fun alternatives you can find today.
History of the puppet
The puppet emerged with primitive man, when he saw his shadow
reflected in the bonfires he made on the walls of caves.
So, when he moved, those images moved and that was where the need
to make those figures arose and he made them with the skin of the
animals he hunted. They were flat, made of animal skin. It was the first
manifestation of puppets that existed, they were created for shadow
theatre.
The first puppet was the plane. The oldest one that is preserved is from
the East, from India, from Indonesia, from Burma.
Then they spread everywhere. They moved on to Türkiye, Africa, and
then the corporeal puppet emerged.
The first elements used to build puppets were skin and wood. Later
came figures carved in wood. Later, they began to make them with
more modern elements: with papier-mâché and then came plastics. The
material evolves according to the evolution of the elements that are
created.
The puppet figure predates theatre, and is contemporary with the first
rites, dances and mimes of religious scenes or appeals to divinities.
They are always characters that have something to do with religion or
with the tradition of the heroes or gods of the place.
The Ramayana and all the Eastern legends and philosophies are the
earliest surviving texts.
Origin of puppet theatre
To find the first references to puppet theatre we have to travel back to
the time of ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, Japan and even China
(2000 BC). ). In the Middle Ages, puppets were used in public shows.
They recounted the exploits of the gods, combining acting with music
and singing.
However, it was not until the 18th century that the figures we
understand today as puppet theatre truly emerged. The show was so
popular with children that the puppeteers stopped working alone and
began to create their own companies.
Dedicated exclusively to puppet shows, the International Organization
of World Puppeteers was founded in 1929. Renowned artists in the
field of literature such as Manuel de Falla and the great Federico
García Lorca also fell under the spell of this theatre, even going so far
as to create pieces exclusively for puppets.
A very important fact is that until before the 18th century they were
called puppets because that is what they called those that move with
two strings or ropes tied to the figure.
And in other countries they had other names, for example: In Italy they
are called Burattini (glove) and Fantoccini.
(pulled by strings) and in France, by Guignol. In Spain it was
introduced by minstrels. In England, abolished by Protestantism, it
reappears in the figure of Punch.
Types of puppets
• Marionette or string puppet
• glove puppets
• Finger puppets
• Sock puppets
• Big mouth puppet
• Marottes
• Table puppets
• Hand puppets
• Rod puppets
• shadow puppet
Using puppets
They can be used to tell stories and tales, and even today they are used
as a method of entertainment at children's parties.
And the puppets can be made of:
• Cartoon
• Animals
• Of animated monsters
• etc