Essay On Elizabethan Theatre

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Open, crowded, lots of natural light, no props. If asked to describe the Elizabethan Theatre houses some of those words and phrases could be used. In the Elizabethan Era, theater was a very large part of life. Everyone in Europe, who could afford to go to the theater, went. Whether one was a simple commoner or if one was Queen Elizabeth herself, they would have enjoyed going to the Globe to watch all the exciting and dramatic plays. Queen Elizabeth, who rose to the throne in England in 1558, loved watching all the plays that were performed all around England (Somerset Fry 164). The Theatre in the Elizabethan Era was greatly impacted on the different historical events that were in the Era and they were mirrored in many plays, specifically Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest. Queen Elizabeth was very involved in theatre, from acting in the plays or just watching them. After Mary Tudor, the last Catholic Monarch for England, died in November 7, 1558, Princess Elizabeth was handed the throne (Jones 14). Elizabeth was notified of the Queen’s death by her own personal servant giving her Mary’s ring (Jones 14). Being only 25 years old, people saw Elizabeth as a very weak young woman (Jones 14). Many of the older Elizabethans were weary of what could happen to the government and their economy with such a young, female leader (Jones 14). Before Mary Tudor had past, she made some very drastic changes to the coins in order to pay for the military. She changed the good silver that was the original base for a coin to a very low quality copper (Jones 14). Not only did the currency change create trading problems, but it also began the inflation (Jones 14). England was getting poorer as a whole. Not only did merchants and gentlemen start... ... middle of paper ... ...n acted in the Globe Theatre, one of the most famous Elizabethan theatre houses (Somerset Fry 194). Shakespeare had an amazing and exciting life that ended on his birthday April 23, 1916 (Pressley). Theater in the Elizabethan Era changed the way people lived, and vice versa. Without theater back in the 16th century, life today could, and would, be very different. The Theatre in the Elizabethan Era was greatly impacted on the different historical events that were in the Era and they were mirrored in many plays, specifically Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest. Other people could argue that theater was merely another extracurricular activity people could partake in. However, facts collected over the years have shown that theater was very important to the people whether it was back in the 1500’s or now in the 21st century, theater is still a huge impact on daily life.

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