About Marionettes
Puppetry is an old art form that has been around since ancient times. Modern puppetry exists, too, of course, but doesn't have the same place in society as it once did. Out of all the various types of puppets, the marionette is often considered to be the reigning champ in terms of difficulty to operate and the time and artistic effort put into making them.
Identification
Marionette puppets are often made into the form of a person. Various ages are popular, and some of these puppets are also made to resemble animals or mythical creatures. They all have a somewhat humanoid appearance, though, with long arms and legs that are jointed in a number of places so they can move freely. The limbs and head of a marionette have strings attached to them that are linked to a control bar that is manipulated by the puppeteer holding it.
Function
A puppeteer uses the control bar of a marionette to manipulate various strings that pull on different parts of the puppet, allowing it to move. Most marionettes have 5 to 8 strings attached to various parts, such as the arms and legs and head of the puppet. Larger and more complex marionettes can have as many as 30 or more strings. The puppeteer manipulates various strings at ones, moves the puppet around, and incorporates gravity in order to breathe life into the puppet.
Ancient Marionettes
Marionettes are seen in various ancient cultures, most notably among the Egyptians. As far back as 2000 B.C, the Egyptian people were making and using string-operated puppets. They were not used for entertainment as they generally are today, but instead as a teaching tool. These puppets would perform various religious ceremonies to teach people how they are done, and also more mundane tasks, such as kneading bread. The ancient Greeks also used marionettes. Although physical remnants from this time are not common, they are written about often and many of the great Greek poems and stories were played out using marionette puppets. In addition, Roman and Greek marionettes were made as a children's toy around 500 B.C.
Significance
Throughout history, marionettes have been used to teach and entertain people. Ancient cultures used them for that reason, and their purpose has not changed in modern culture. Marionettes are even believed to predate actors in terms of live storytelling. Today, they are often used in educational children's shows to continue their use as teaching tools. They are also in professional theater and puppetry troupes that are most notably seen throughout Europe.
Types
There are two main styles of marionettes that have become most popular over the years. The first is the Czech marionette, obviously originating in the Eastern European country of the same name. These are hand carved and usually made of lime wood. Marionettes are often made of wood or clay, though more modern ones can be made from plastic or synthetic materials as well. Czech marionettes are often considered to be the most difficult to control because they do not have a balancing rod. The ones that do have this rod are the Sicilian marionettes. These are simpler to operate because of a single rod running through the middle of them, which allows for less complicated movement of the marionette.
