Mime began as a form of communication before spoken language and later developed into a form of entertainment. It originated in ancient Greece and was brought to Rome, growing more popular under Emperor Augustus. Mime continued through the Middle Ages as Commedia Dell'Arte street performances and moraliy/miracle plays. Famous mimes like Charlie Chaplin and Rowan Atkinson used mime, movements, and facial expressions to develop beloved comedic characters without words. The social, economic, historical, and technological factors of different eras influenced the development and popularity of mime as a performing art.

1. Mime

2. DefinitionMime is a form of acting using only your body and no vocal.Mime is known to be once of the earliest forms of self expression. Before their were languages mime was used to communicate. When spoken language was used and discovered, mime became a form of entertainment.http://www.google.com/dictionary

3. Early MimeMime is one of the earliest mediums of self-expression. Before there was spoken language, mime was used to communicate what people wanted or needed. Instead of fading into the background when spoken language was introduced, miming became a form of entertainment. It then developed and was introduced into the world of Theatre in ancient Greece.Mime started in the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens. Actors & actresses performed outside in daylight before audiences. Mime was known as hypothesis which was performed by actors, concentrating on their individual characters.When the Romans conquered Greece, they brought Greek art of mime back to Italy and set about making it their own.Mime enjoyed success and growth under Emperor Augustus of Rome. By far, pantomime and mime has come to be in modern times the art of portraying a character or a story by means of body movement.http://www.members.tripod.com/~kiko_mime/history.html

4. Commedia Dell’ ArteMime continued to entertain through Middle ages and reached its height in the form of Commedia Dell’Arte. Commedia Dell’Arte originated in the Italian streets in the early 1500’s. Street performers began experimenting with masks to draw attention to themselves. The characters they created became affectionately known as Zanni. It was only until two characters teamed up that Commedia Dell’ Arte took root.The Commedia Dell’ Arte’s last traces entered into pantomime as introduced in England (1702)http://www.members.tripod.com/~kiko_mime/history.html

5. Miracle Morality & PlaysThese are plays which developed from the Roman Catholic church. When the simple scenes from the Bible that had become part of Christianity could no longer be performed by the priests early in the 13th century, the miracle plays came into existence. These plays had as subject matter the miracles performed by the saints or, more frequently, scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Miracle plays in crude form were presented at Easter and on other holy days. Sometimes known simply as a morality, the morality play was most popular in the 15th and early 16th centuries. It was designed to instruct audiences in the Christian way of life and the Christian attitude towards death. The general theme of the morality play is the conflict between good and evil for the human soul; the play always ends with the saving of the soul. The characters of the morality play are not the saints but are personifications of sins such as gluttony, pride, envy, hope, charity, riches, and strength.http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?vendorId=FWNE.fw..mi117400.a#FWNE.fw..mi117400.a

6. Drama and mime has changed over the years. History and technology have helped performers adapt and make the best performances that can be seen in local theatres or venues.Modern DramaAs well as being successful drama has become a subject in performing arts schools. Mime is a form of drama that can be seen at festivals or in the middle of the street!

7. Charlie ChaplinCharlie Chaplin is said to have inherited his talent from both his parents as they were both in the theatrical industry. He was known as an English motion-picture actor, director, producer, and composer, one of the most creative artists in film history, who first achieved worldwide fame through his performances in silent films. His full name was Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin.Born in London, as a child Chaplin appeared in music hall and pantomime performances. In 1910 he toured the United States with a pantomime troupe and decided to remain in the country. Chaplin first appeared on the screen in 1914 with the Keystone Film Company of American director Mack Sennett. In Kid Auto Races at Venice wearing baggy pants, enormous shoes, and a bowler hat and carrying a bamboo cane, he originated his world-famous character, the Tramp.Chaplin perfected an individual style of performing, derived from the circus clown and the mime, combining acrobatic elegance, expressive gestures, facial expressions and impeccable timing.http://www.charliechaplin.com/biography/articles/21-Overview-of-His-Life

8. Rowan AkinsonRowan Sebastian Atkinson grew up on a farm with his father and two brothers, he then left for and attended Newcastle University and Oxford University where he had met screen writer Richard Curtis with whom he wrote and performed comedy revues.Later, he co-wrote and appeared in “Not the Nine O’clock News” which was a huge success and spawned several best-selling books. It won an International Emmy Award and the British Academy award for "Best Light Entertainment Programme of 1980." He won the "British Academy award" and was named "BBC Personality of the Year" for his performing on “Not the Nine O’clock News” .Atkinson's other famous creation, the hapless Mr. Bean, first appeared the following year in a half-hour special for Thames Television. In the series he played a lost character who encountered in a number of weird strange events. Although he made noises as the character - ‘Mr. Bean’ the act is known as a mime act.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000100/bio

9. FactorsSocial : In the middle ages people were sorted into different working classes but performing troupes like Commedia Dell’ Arte were accessible to all social classes. The performers could ridicule any aspect of society. Most people wanted performed to become famous and socialize.Economical : People enjoyed performances so much that performers performed for money.Historical : Queen Elizabeth started attending theatres and because she enjoyed them so much she made them very popular and started paying money to watch performances. Past events have inspired us and given us ideas for drama and mime to this very day.Technological : Back in the day sounds and music were made from live instruments backstage , now we have technology like sound systems to play music and sound effects and coloured lights to make effects on stage.