More handpicked essays just for you.
How theater played a role in the Elizabethan era
The legacy of william shakespeare
Shakespeare’s modern relevance
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
One of the most famous theatres in the Elizabethan Age was the Globe Theatre. The Elizabethan Era started in 1558 and lasted to 1603. The theatres from the era were said to be the best and most significant part of the culture at that time. With the Black Death killing people every day, people needed an escape from this death sentencing disease. It all started with inn – yard theatres. A group of people would go from village to village performing for the people in a market place or village square. A number of people would offer places for the actors to stay as they were performing. They started charging to see the inn. Families from farmers and labors would come and watch this magnificent shows. Some even considered these events as festivals. A man by the name of James Burbage made the first amphitheater to perform inside in 1576. He patterned it like the amphitheaters in Rome and Greece. It was planned to be in a popular place like a village square but soon made its way to being so big it could not. The inn – yards could hold up to 300 people while the amphitheater could hold up to 3000 (nosweatshakespeare). Soon many arena like theatres were built, such as the very famous Globe Theatre. Globe Theatre inspired and entertained people during the Elizabethan Age with different actors, plays, and the architecture of the building.
An actor’s life throughout the Elizabethan Era was not enjoyable because the actors were not trusted. Their reputation improved when more theatres were built, such as the Globe Theatre. After, actors became just as famous as today’s starts in Hollywood. The superstars of Globe Theatre were Henry Condoll, William Shakspeare, Richard Burbage, and John Heminges. Burbage was known for his tra...
... middle of paper ...
...it back on up to show to the world. Globe Theatre was an escape from all the hardships the world faced in that time. Globe was like our modern TV. We watch for entertainment and escape, just like why people would come to Globe Theatre. The original Globe Theatre will always remind us of that escape when we think back of its amazing features and extraordinary things that have come about in the theatre.
Works Cited
"Archive for Category: The Globe Theatre." No Sweat Shakespeare RSS2. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.
Brockett, Oscar G., and Franklin J. Hildy. History of the Theatre. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 1999. Print.
"The Globe Theatre." Globe Theatre. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
Kernodle, George Riley. Invitation to the Theatre. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1967. Print.
Sitarz, Paula Gaj. The Curtain Rises. White Hall, VA: Shoe Tree, 1991. Print.
Theatres and How We Had Fun." Little, Brown, and Company. (Boston, Toronto, London); 1991. P. 139, 144.
Richard Burbage is the most famous Globe Theater actor. Richard Burbage grew up in a theatrical family. Most of Richard Burbage’s inspiration came from his father. His father’s theater was where his acting began. By the time that Richard Burbage was twenty, he was acting in preeminent roles. Richard took over the person he was acting as, “becoming” the person. He
Kislan, Richard. The Musical: A Look at the American Musical Theater. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1980. 84, 110, 116-121, 125-127, 128, 134, 163, 195, 201, 209. Print.
Overall, the Globe Theatre has a lot of history behind it, some that historians are still working on, and has had many demolishings and reconstructions in its time.
first famous theater on record is none other than the Globe Theater. This wasn't your everyday
"Elizabethan Theatre Audiences." Elizabethan Theatre Audiences. Strayer University, 16 May 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
Ostlere, Hilary. “Taming The Musical.” Dance Magazine 73.12 (1999): 84. Expanded Academic ASAP. Westfield State College Library, MA. 15 April 2005.
The Globe Theater is said to be the most important structure in Shakespeare's dramatic career. The Chamberlain Company built the Theater in 1599. The Theater was located on the Southern shore of the Thames River in London. Shakespeare, being a member of the Chamberlain Company, became a shareholder in the Theater. Along with Shakespeare, James Burbage, his two sons, and five members of the troupe owned the Globe. This group of men was called Lord Chamberlains Men after a patron of the acting company. In May of 1603, King James I came to see their plays and the troupe changed their name to The King's Men. These people and groups became a living part of the Globe Theatre.
Kenrick, John. Musical Theatre A History. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group, 2008. Print.
Brockett, Oscar G., and Oscar G. Brockett. The Essential Theatre. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976. Print.
The Globe Theatre was where Shakespeare had most of his plays performed. It had many decorations to make it look appealing and to try and to make it seem expensive and luxurious. The Globe Theatre was built in just 6 months between 1597 and 1598 just outside central London. The Thames River separated it from St Paul’s cathedral. The Globe was made in a round circular shape. This meant that at least one actor would have their back to the audience, however, this would not have mattered because the audience came mainly to hear the play – not to see it. When you were buying a seat for the theatre, the most expensive seats would not be the ones with the best view, they would be the closest ones in order to hear better. Also, these seats would be facing towards the audience, which means that everyone would see them, meaning fame. The Globe would usually be packed with decorations and ornaments. These would have nothing to do with the play, it was used to make the theatre look more attractive/expensive. Lots of people would come to see the plays. They would do this because Shakespeare’s plays were not published at that time so the public would want to see it...
Elizabethan times in the 1600s was a progression for the world of the theater. A period named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, it is from this period that modern day society has its foundation for the entertainment industry. From the violence that was prevalent because of the Black Death, people turned to the theater for its poetry and romance. During this time period, there were two types of theatrical performances that were available for the people’s viewing, comedies or tragedies. These two genres were never really intertwined until the time of William Shakespeare. His play, Romeo and Juliet, is an example of both a comedy and a tragedy. It starts off as a comedy with Romeo weeping like a baby because of his love Rosaline, who did not love him back and ends as a tragedy when Romeo and Juliet, a pair of star crossed lovers, commit suicide because the lost of each other. It was also during Shakespeare’s time that writer were finally acknowledged by the people. Before this time, writers were not considered upper classman. Another group of people that began to rise into a higher social class were the actors. Actresses were not present back then because women were not allowed on stage. It was considered unladylike to have a female actor. Men played all the parts. Theater owners were dependent on actors to make them a profit. Rehearsals for the plays were fairly short, only lasting for about a week. The performances themselves would only show for three to four days.
The Globe Theater is widely known as the world’s greatest amphitheatre of its time, bringing in crowds of thousands of people. The Globe was also where most of the famous playwright, William Shakespeare, performed his plays. With its unique design, the audience was able to enjoy the plays. Inside of this round and globe-like structure, the people from all around the area packed into the seats to watch Shakespeare and his actors. Despite the Globe Theater’s success, the theater had gone through many shut downs and rebuilding projects. Finally, the Globe was demolished for the last time. It was not until years later that the theater was discovered. Now, people from around the world are learning about this amphitheater and its role in the Renaissance time period. The Globe Theater is known for its structure, audience and actors, and history.
The name most associated with excellence in theatre is William Shakespeare. His plays, more than any other playwright, resonate through the ages. It may be safe to say that he has influenced more actors, directors, and playwrights than any thespian in the history of the stage. But what were his influences? During the Middle Ages theatre was dominated by morality, miracle, and mystery plays that were often staged by the church as a means to teach the illiterate masses about Christianity. It wasn’t until the early sixteenth century that Greek tragedy experienced a revival, in turn, inspiring a generation of renaissance playwrights.
A mere mention of the term theatre acts as a relief to many people. It is in this place that a m...