Elizabethan Theatre : The Beginning Of The English Renaissance

to. Theater during this time period was used to divert people from what was going on around

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 Elizabethan Era was a time where everything flourished. After the Black Plague, England entered a time called the Renaissance. Family life during the time was simple and on a routine. Each day seemed more and more liked the day before. Each member of the family had a different impact on the community and society. Ordinary life in England consisted of being with family, working everyday, going to school, and eating food.

cost 1 penny, to sit cost 2 pennies and for a wealthy person to sit

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First (1558-1603), English art and culture reached a high point known as the top of the English renaissance. Elizabethan music experienced a change in popularity from sacred to non religious music and the rise of instrumental music. Experienced musicians were hired by the Church of England, the wealthy, and rising middle-class. Queen Elizabeth I greatly enjoyed music and played the lute and virginal herself. She also believed that dancing was a great form of physical activity and hired musicians to play for her while she danced. While she was queen, she employed about 70 musicians and her interests were to be adopted by those she ruled over. All noblemen were

All of Shakespeare plays were not very popular in that period of time like they are now and it’s amazing because most things they did we thought were weird and it flips during our age. It states on the Elizabethanera.org that the history of the theater is fascinating. How plays were first produced in the yards of inns - the Inn-yards, the very first theater and development of the amphitheater. The

Elizabeth I of England once said, “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too,” showing a women could too rule a nation. Elizabeth Tudor, one of the most famous female figure of the Renaissance, grew up in a difficult circumstance, however showed to be an intelligent and clever woman. Elizabeth’s 44 year reign as the last of the Tudor monarchs brought stability and peace to England. During Elizabeth’s reign, a growth in English Renaissance art can be seen, as the queen’s support helped the art of England blossom. Without Queen Elizabeth I, the English Renaissance would have been a time of instability, political and religious challenges, and art decline. Growing up in difficult circumstances, Queen Elizabeth I’s 44 year reign brought stability

Entertainment in the Elizabethan Era There were many different forms of entertainment and entertainers during the Elizabethan Era, or Shakespearean Age. Most well endowed families in the Elizabethan Era were able to do a lot more in order to entertain themselves. This is especially because they are not busy with the hard work and tasks that lower classes have to handle on a daily basis. According to Dylan Shore, the elite class enjoyed themselves by throwing large feasts, jousts, and banquets.

The Elizabethan Age was a time of change and new ideas (Holzknecht 33). In this period, the Renaissance, or rebirth, spread throughout Europe (“Elizabethan Age”). This brought an increase in nationalism in England (“Elizabethan Age”). In addition, there were many improvements in navigation and exploration at this time (“Elizabethan Age”). During the reign of Elizabeth I, who was the Queen of England from 1558-1603, there was a golden age (“Elizabethan Drama”). Queen Elizabeth was very influential in area of the arts and learning (“Elizabethan Age”). She recognized the universities Oxford and Cambridge as focus for England’s intellectual activities (“Elizabethan Age”). Although Elizabeth enjoyed theater, she created many regulations for it. In 1559, she did not allow plays not licensed by her and she only licensed six acting companies (“Elizabethan Drama”). In 1570, mystery plays were banned where men acted as God because it was considered idolatry (“Elizabethan Drama”). After the regulation,

The Elizabethan Era took place in the years 1558 to 1603 and was marked in history as “The Golden Age”. It took place during the beginning of the Renaissance, and sparked a growth in the areas of art, music and literature. Despite all of the wonderful things that may have come from this time period, the Elizabethan Era was a time of imprisonment, torture and prejudice for English Catholics.

Drama changed literature and theater into what it is today. I. History of Elizabethan Theater a. forming of theater 1. medieval church 2. mystery and morality b. actors 1. rogues and thieves 2. acting guilds II. Influences and people a. commanding actors 1. Shakespeare 2. Burbage b. other 1. wars of the roses (other historical influences) 2. laws restricting theater III. The theaters a. prices 1. seating 2. stage b. the theater and the globe 1. locations and characteristics 2. Burbage and other accomplishment Elizabethan Drama During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, England underwent a dramatic change in priorities. The importance of art and literature became highly prevalent. The impact of the Elizabethan drama and

The theater that Cuthbert Burbage built for the Chamberlain's Men had a total capacity of between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators. Because there was no lighting, all performances at the Globe were conducted, weather permitting, during the day (probably most often in the mid-afternoon span between 2 P.M. and 5 P.M.). Because most of the Globe and all of its stage was open air, acoustics were poor and the actors were compelled by circumstances to shout their lines, stress their enunciation, and engage in exaggerated theatrical gestures. What would seem most striking to a modern (Broadway) theatergoer about the productions staged at the Globe is that they were completely devoid of background scenery. Although costumes

“In roughly built playhouses and cobblestone inn yards, an extraordinary development took place in England in the 1500s.” (Yancey, 8). At that time, an opportunity combined to produce literature achievement never before witnessed in the history of drama and theater. The renaissance, helped spark this movement by inspiring scientific and artistic creativity throughout the land. Models began writing dramas that portrayed life in both realistic and imaginative ways. This created work later captured the attention of the world that changed the English drama. The many aspects of Elizabethan theater helped to shape the acting and theater world forever.

There were other amenities that were lacking for the theaters. Almost all the lighting for the theater was natural light. This meant that most plays would have to be show during the daytime. The theaters did not have heating either. In the winter months they would have to shut the theater down and be transferred to indoor playhouses. This actually helped boost popularity because it gave the people something to do during the cold winter months since it was inside. There were no microphones or soundboards to be able to hear so actors had to speak loudly and clearly. Unfortunately, there were also no toilets at the theater. “But there were no toilets and the floor they stood on was probably just sand, ash or covered in nutshells” (Shakespeare Globe Education). During the summer hours when it would become real hot the pit would be called the “stinkards.”

The Elizabethan Era was a very prosperous time for England. Wars were fought and won and art and literature were seen as pure gold. Elizabeth I was born on September 7th, 1533 to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, she died on March 24th, 1603. Elizabeth was Queen of England and Ireland from November 17th, 1558 until her death she was known by many as The Virgin Queen, Gloriana or Good Queen Bess. Elizabeth was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty as she never married or produced an heir. Elizabeth was the woman who brought England into the Renaissance; after all they did name the era after her majesty herself! Even though she was not supposed to be queen it was ultimately in England’s best interest when she was crowned at the ripe age of