2. ELIZABETHAN THEATRE

3. ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND Country unified, trade and commerce flourished Age of Exploration Expanding with confidence Reflected in the drama of the period England became a dominant force under Elizabeth I (1558- 1603) London was the largest city in Europe. Population 200,000 1559. Doubles again in 50 years.

4. ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND cont. The Theatres in London were not on the “better” side of the River Thames They were located on the Bishop of Canterbury’s Land Surrounded by brothels,pubs and gaming houses Bear baiting,cock fights and tournaments were being held in the same space that the original theatre was performed

5. ROOTS OF ELIZABETHAN THEATRE Influenced by classical traditions of Roman and Greek dramatists MYSTERY PLAYS: local religious pageants performed at medieval festivals during 12 th and 13 th centuries. Presented in the market square or on the church steps. Sometimes performed on movable stages called pageants. MORALITY PLAYS: developed in 14 th and 15 th centuries. Allegorized the Christian way of life (characters represented various virtues and vices). By the middle of the 16 th c. Mystery and Morality plays lost ground to a new secular form of drama. Mystery and Morality plays were associated with Catholicism and consequently discouraged by the Protestant clergy.

6. ELIZABETHAN THEATRE These new English plays often dealt with murder, revenge, and blood retribution. Appealed to privileged classes and commoners alike- PLAYS WERE VERY POPULAR Actors and playwrights encountered opposition from city officials…thought the large crowds spread disease. Puritans opposed the plays because they thought the plays were immoral and sinful. Some people thought that theater spread politically seditious ideas. During Queen Elizabeth’s rein, performances were placed under strict control of the Master of Revels, a public official who could censor plays.

7. THEATRE: A COMMERCIAL VENTURE No longer state or church supported- business 6 days a week (NO Sundays) In the afternoon,(2-5)-no lights New plays in constant demand Changed plays often to keep the people coming back They announced what kind of play was showing with flags: Black-Tragedy, White-Comedy, Red-History One play could be performed up to ten times in a season

8. THEATRE SPACE “the Theatre’ first permanent theatre space built in England Built by James Burbage- father of an actor Constructed in amphitheatre/thrust style: open air

9. THE GLOBE THEATRE One of the most famous Elizabethan theatres Surrounded on three sides by seating “galleries” Shakespeare’s troupe performed here.He was part owner in the theatre The acting company had about 25 actors, all male Half of the actors were share holders in the theatre.

10. Globe cont. Stage was 43 feet wide Extended 1/2 way into the yard (about 27 1/2ft) 3 stories of galleries:12ft.,11ft. and 9ft in height 4 separately divided gentlemen’s rooms

11. Globe cont. The Globe held about 3000 people 1 cent admission for standing room for groundlings (in the yard) Higher price for gallery seating Private boxes for the nobility Sold refreshments No restroom, no intermission

12. TO BE OR NOT TO BE….. The Globe theatre was burned to the ground in 1613 Fire started when a prop cannon exploded during the opening night performance of Henry VIII. Rebuilt on the same site. Was demolished in 1644 when theatres were closed.

13. PLAYWRIGHTS Paid by the play Shakespeare averaged two a year Playwrights often wrote their plays to be performed in a specific theater. No copyright laws William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spencer were all Elizabethan playwrights

14. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Born April 1564 at Stratford-Upon-Avon Father, John Shakespeare, was a glove maker and trader Married Anne Hathaway in 1582.She was 26, he was 18. Three children: Susanna, Twins: Judith & Hamnet Wrote 37 plays and 154 poems and sonnets Plays are divided into Histories, Tragedies, Comedies & Tragicomedy Died 1616- left his wife his “second best” bed

15. THE KING’S MEN Shakespeare was a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men acting troupe. Became King’s Men when James I became king in 1603. Company was given royal patent. Performed at court 12 times a year.

16. SHAKESPEARE PLAYS History Plays: Henry IV Parts 1&2, 4&6 Parts 1, 2 &3, Richard II and III etc. Tragedies: Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth etc. Comedies: Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, etc. Tragicomedies: All’s Well That Ends Well, A Winter’s Tale, etc.

17. SHAKESPEARE AS A MUSICAL? Many of Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted into other forms They are some of the most quoted plays of all time Still very popular today

18. RICHARD BURBAGE Greatest actor of the time period Shakespeare wrote parts for him Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Anthony and others Father built “The Theatre’

19. THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK Written between 1599 and 1601 by Shakespeare. Set in Denmark Revenge Play within a play

20. THE GREAT CHAIN OF BEING Strict hierarchical order Believed to have been decreed by God God-Angelic Beings- Humans (King/royalty /landed gentry/ commoners)-Plants- Minerals When one breaks down, the entire chain breaks down

21. Disruptions in the Great Chain of Being resulted in signs of protest Eclipses Meteors Walking dead Natural world acting unnaturally

22. Beliefs about ghosts Four reasons to appear- Tell of hidden treasure Gain revenge Warn loved ones Offer aid when state is in danger "I am thy father's spirit, Doomed for a certain term to walk the night" (Hamlet 1.5).

23. The King and the Common Weal The common weal (the stability and moral health of the kingdom) depends on the King’s health and stability. “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (I,iv,88)