In today’s society there are things like television, movies, Internet, cell phones, and video games for entertainment. None of these luxuries existed in the time of Elizabethan Theater, but that does not mean there was no source of entertainment available. Instead of people going to the movies or playing video games, Renaissance folk would flock to the Globe Theater to see plays written by the great William Shakespeare. The Globe Theater, also known as Shakespeare’s Globe, was not only the most important structure for Shakespeare’s dramatic career but also the the pinnacle for the bustling environment with citizens in frenzy for entertainment. The Globe Theater was one of the greatest theaters of the Elizabethan era because its grand design, atmosphere, and rich history.
In 1598, Shakespeare’s theater troop, Chamberlain’s Men, was facing a serious crisis when their twenty-year lease on The Theater had expired. The grounds landlord Giles Allen, a puritan man who disapproved of theatrical productions, raised the price of the lease to The Theatre to an exorbitant level and when the troop failed to agree with these new terms they had no choice but to relocate. With all of the failed attempts to negotiate new terms for tenancy and the lease agreement Giles Allen planned to pull down The Theater and capitalize on the building materials. This plan was cut short when James Burbage found a clause in the former lease allowing them to dismantle the building themselves. Chamberlain’s Men worked all through the night to dismantle The Theater and transport all of the lumber to the South side of the Thames River to where the new Globe Theater was being built (Stock, 2014). The original Globe Theater opened in autumn 1599 and was one of s...
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Of course, the Elizabethan Era being the time of Shakespeare, going to the theatre was always an option. Attending the most well-known, The Globe Theatre was an adventure in itself. Many of Shakespeare's plays (he acted in some of them) were performed at this magnificent theatre.
The Old Globe Theatre had many rules, but most of them changed after it was destroyed in a fire in 1613. One of the rules that dramatically changed was the system that...
In this textbook, Kenneth Muir compared the differences that existed in theatre during Shakespeare’s time and in modern theatre. Kenneth particularly analyzed the tastes, culture and styles used by the Elizabethan artists. However, the book also adopted a critical approach that sought to review the make-believe world that existed in the play. The book also analyzed the reality of the characters as well as their relevance in the contemporary world. Kenneth Muir was a literary scholar that concentrated on Shakespearian content for several years. The author was also a playwright and a poet. The book was written in a professional manner that covered the comparison in an elaborate manner.
"Elizabethan Theatre Audiences." Elizabethan Theatre Audiences. Strayer University, 16 May 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
An English actor, Richard Burbage, constructed the Globe Theater in 1599. Unfortunately, it was burned down fourteen years later. In 1613 a cannon, discharged during a performance of Henry VIII, set fire to the thatched roof and destroyed the building (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000). The theater was rebuilt in 1614 but the Puritans destroyed it 30 years later, in 1644.
Queen Elizabeth came to be known as one of the greatest rulers of the English empire. Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a more efficient government was created. The church was unified, the English empire was expanded, and language, literature, and theater flourished to a greatness that would be impossible for almost any other period of English history, or any other European empire, for that matter, to match. Although there was a great rise in literature,it was theater that catapulted to greatness during Elizabeth's reign. Out of Elizabeth's era came Elizabethan theater. Elizabethan theater has such a variety of topics, that would make it virtually impossible to talk about in ten pages. The focal point of this paper will be on Queen Elizabeth's contributions to theater as well as her favor to Children of Paul's, or Paul's Boys (a "Boy Company") and the Queen's Men and Lord Chamberlain's Men (two Adult Companies). Prior to Elizabeth's reign, those members of the Tutor family enjoyed entertainment consisting mainly of court tournaments. Within these court tournaments bear baiting was the most popular event. Although "Elizabeth found this hugely diverting", theater was her entertainment of choice, for Elizabeth found "such cruel spectacles...an unattractive feature of the age" (Somerset 367). However, regardless of her opinion, countrymen saw nothing wrong with bear baiting, and continued the event. Even though Elizabeth was a great lover of theater, that does not mean that theater, was not put down routinely. The Puritans found Elizabeth's interest in theater to be "utterly reprehensible", actors to be a "contemptible breed", and the theaters that they performed in nothing more "...
The original Globe theater was constructed by the Lord Chamberlain’s men, the acting group to
For the Elizabethan society, the theater represents a very powerful place. The theater was used as a tool for advertising and drawing the public attention to whatever is being performed. While we may consider Hamlets
Shakespeare’s new levels of popularity depended largely upon his growing accessibility that was able to reach all different social classes in the nineteenth century. As Americans expanded westward across the frontier, Shakespeare followed. By the nineteenth century Shakespeare had become more accessible through traveling libraries, the incorporation of his material into school curriculums, and most importantly through play productions. Shakespeare had become, “present and recognized almost everywhere in the country” (Levine 37). Shakespeare found a ready audience on the stages of the many theatres that were popping up in almost every city and town in America. Theatres of the nineteenth century were separated into sections. An individual’s income determined which section they could afford to sit in. Even though the theatre was sepa...
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 original Globe theater, built in 1576, was actually just called "The Theater" and was
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 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...
The theater was one of the primary forms of entertainment in Elizabethan England, as anyone, rich or poor could attend the plays.The rich would sit in boxes or galleries, while the poorer people would have to stand for the entirety of the play (Haigh). The poor would stand in front of the stage which would normally be raised about 4 to 6 feet and the theater could hold on average 3,000 people (Trumbull). The rich however usually watched plays in indoor private theaters, but sometimes would watch the plays in the outdoor public ones. Performances ...
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.