The Middle Ages 1.Miracle and Mystery plays 2.Trade Guilds 3.Pageants 4.Morality plays Elizabethan Theatre 1.Stage 2.Actors 3.Scenes 4.Audience The Globe Theatre

ORIGINS medieval drama developed from the 10 th to the 15 th century it was born in churches  representation of episodes from the Bible Creation, Fall of Satan, Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, birth of Jesus, episodes from his life, his death and resurrection, Last Judgement

little by little, out into the churchyard responsibility taken by laymen (trade guilds) later performed on pageants Mystery plays

Miracle plays representation of episodes from the lives of Jesus, Mary, saints combination of professional and amateur actors performed on pageants acted in English

Trade Guilds they were groups of tradesmen and artisans guild derives from the Old English geld, which means “payment” on particular feast days they prepared biblical plays to perform

Pageants processions associated with secular and religious rituals important aspect of the celebration of Corpus Christi

re-enacted the entire history of salvation each pageant was sponsored by a guild

Morality plays more refined invented plots personification of vices and virtues didactic purpose written in vernacular

Everyman Dutch Elkerlijk late 15th century Everyman represents all mankind he is summoned by God, tries to convince several friends to accompany him

allegorical characters, personifying abstract ideas: Fellowship Kindred, Cousin Goods Good Deeds Knowledge Beauty, Strength, Discretion, Five Wits along the way they all abandon him, except Good Deeds

in time plays were also performed in inns (inner courtyard), in noble houses, at court

Elizabethan Theatre it was influenced by Humanism, which developed in all Europe authors were supported by the Queen the Queen had to approve all the plays (Master of Revels) theatre was considered a form of entertainment and not an art

The Stage composed of: a baldachin that covered it the inner stage behind a curtain a balcony a garret where there were machines a trap door

The Audience plays attracted people from all classes 1. royals 2. nobles 3. commoners a theatre could hold from 1500 to 3000 people; tickets cost different prices (standing, more or less comfortable seats, shelter)

The Scene actors used very simple objects they represented physical sensation and feelings with words the theatre building was closely linked with the performance

The actorsThe Actors the reputation of early Elizabethan actors was not good later they became the equivalent of today’s superstars only men; young boys played female roles

it was built from the timbers of “ The Theatre ” in 1559 it went up on flames in 1613 it was destroyed another time by Puritans in 1644 most of the Globe and all of its stage was open air The Globe

Richard Burbage built the Globe for the Chamberlain’s Men Shakespeare appeared as an actor on the Globe’s stage above the main entrance there was the inscription “Totus mundus agit histrionem" (the whole world is a playhouse)