Introduction to English Renaissance and Elizabethan Theatre

Summary

This video explores the history of English Renaissance and Elizabethan theatre, focusing on the cultural changes during Queen Elizabeth I's reign. It highlights the impact of religious restrictions on theatre, the rise of acting companies, and the development of early public theatres. The speaker delves into the works of famous playwrights like William Shakespeare, discussing his innovative use of language, notable plays, and his influence on modern media. A detailed overview of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is also provided, describing its structure, audience, and staging elements, offering an engaging introduction to theatre history.

Takeaways

• 👑 The Elizabethan era, also known as the Elizabethan Age or the Golden Age, was a significant period in English history, largely due to Queen Elizabeth I's reign from 1558 to 1603.
• 🚫 The government banned religious theater due to religious unrest, leading to the Licensing Act of 1559 which allowed theater under government control.
• 🎭 Elizabethan theater was male-only, with young men playing women's roles, and it had a somewhat negative reputation in society.
• 📜 The Bubonic Plague led to strict regulations on travel and performance licenses, with noblemen buying licenses for their acting troupes to perform legally.
• 🏟️ The first permanent public theater in England was built, inspired by Greek and Roman amphitheaters, and was an outdoor structure.
• 📚 Playwrights like Shakespeare, known as the 'university wits', were common and wrote comedies, tragedies, and histories.
• 🎭 Shakespeare became the most famous playwright of his time due to his relatable content and the use of contemporary language.
• 📅 Shakespeare was baptized on April 23, 1564, and died on the same date in 1616. His plays and sonnets are still celebrated today.
• 🌐 Shakespeare invented over 2,000 words and phrases, many of which are still in use today.
• 🏛️ The Globe Theatre, built in 1599, was Shakespeare's primary theater where many of his plays were performed and where he was part-owner.
• 🎭 The Globe Theatre had a unique design with different areas for various scenes, including a main stage, inner stage, and a trap door for special effects.

Q & A

What is the Elizabethan era also known as?

The Elizabethan era is also referred to as the Elizabethan age or the Golden Age for England.

Why did Queen Elizabeth I ban religious theater?

Queen Elizabeth I banned religious theater due to the religious unrest in the country when she came to power.

What was the Licensing Act of 1559?

The Licensing Act of 1559 allowed for the theater to be under government control, effectively sanctioning theater.

Why did Elizabethan theater have a bad reputation?

Elizabethan theater had a bad reputation because it was seen as immoral and actors, who were all male, were looked down upon in society.

How did the Bubonic Plague affect theater performances?

During the Bubonic Plague, regulations restricted travel and required a license to perform, leading noblemen to buy licenses for their acting companies to avoid harsh laws.

Where did acting companies and troops perform before building theaters?

Before building theaters, acting companies and troops would perform in courtyards of Inns and taverns, also known as in yards.

What was the first permanent public theater in England called?

The first permanent public theater in England was called The Theatre.

Who were some of the famous playwrights of the Elizabethan era besides Shakespeare?

Some of the famous playwrights of the Elizabethan era besides Shakespeare include Ben Jonson, Christopher Marlowe, and Thomas Middleton.

What was unique about Shakespeare's writing style?

Shakespeare wrote using a style called Iambic pentameter, which consists of five Iambs per line, with an Iamb being a metric foot of two syllables.

How many plays and sonnets did Shakespeare write?

Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and is credited with inventing over 2,000 words.

What was the Globe Theatre, and why was it significant?

The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 on the banks of the Thames River in Southwark, London. It was significant because it was Shakespeare's home theater where many of his plays were performed, and it was constructed from pieces of 'The Theatre'.

What were the different types of seating at the Globe Theatre?

The Globe Theatre had different types of seating including the cheap 'Groundlings' area where people stood, and more expensive roofed galleries for better seating.