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[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]]
[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]]
[[Image:Debord_2.jpg|right|frame|<center>ISBN 0946061122</center]]
[[Image:Debord_2.jpg|right|frame|<center>ISBN 0946061122</center>]]
In general '''spectacle''' refers to an event that is memorable for the appearance it creates. Derived in Old English from c.1340 as "specially prepared or arranged display" it was borrowed from from Old French ''spectacle'', itself a reflection of the [[Latin]] ''spectaculum'' "a show" from ''spectare'' "to view, watch" frequentative form of ''specere'' "to look at.<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=spectacle&searchmode=none] Online Etymological Dictionary</ref> The term "spectacle" has also been a term of art in [[theater]] dating from the 17th century in [[English language|English]] [[drama]].
In general '''spectacle''' refers to an event that is memorable for the appearance it creates. Derived in Old English from c.1340 as "specially prepared or arranged display" it was borrowed from from Old French ''spectacle'', itself a reflection of the [[Latin]] ''spectaculum'' "a show" from ''spectare'' "to view, watch" frequentative form of ''specere'' "to look at.<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=spectacle&searchmode=none] Online Etymological Dictionary</ref> The term "spectacle" has also been a term of art in [[theater]] dating from the 17th century in [[English language|English]] [[drama]].
==Ancient cultural origins==
==Ancient cultural origins==
The term was borrowed from the Roman practice of staging [[Circus]]es, in the rather famous philosophy of the [[Rome|Roman]] elite of "Bread and Circuses" to maintain civil order due to the an inability to solve underlying social and economic problems.<ref>[http://www.periclespress.com/Rome.html] Bread and Circuses</ref>
The term was borrowed from the Roman practice of staging [[Circus]]es, in the rather famous philosophy of the [[Rome|Roman]] elite of "Bread and Circuses" to maintain civil order due to the an inability to solve underlying social and economic problems.[http://www.periclespress.com/Rome.html]
==Low and high culture==
==Low and high culture==
#[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=spectacle&searchmode=none] Online Etymological Dictionary
#[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=spectacle&searchmode=none] Online Etymological Dictionary
#[http://www.periclespress.com/Rome.html Bread and Circuses
#[http://www.periclespress.com/Rome.html Bread and Circuses
==External links==
==External links==
* Milton, John. [http://www.mith.umd.edu/comus/final/ An online critical edition of ''Comus''] retrieved July 30, 2005.
* Milton, John. [http://www.mith.umd.edu/comus/final/ An online critical edition of ''Comus''] retrieved July 30, 2005.
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category:Theatre]]
[[Category:Theatre]]