Elizabethan Theatre Explained in 13 Minutes

Summary

The Elizabethan era (1558-1603) was a golden age for theatre, with Queen Elizabeth I actively supporting the arts. Plays evolved from religious themes to comedies and tragedies, reflecting English nationalism. Renowned playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe emerged, creating enduring works. Purpose-built theatres, such as the Globe, became central to culture, attracting large audiences and elevating actors' status. The period's theatre was characterized by minimal sets, vivid performances, and a raucous audience, all contributing to a unique and vibrant theatrical experience.

Takeaways

• 👑 The Elizabethan era (1558-1603) was marked by Queen Elizabeth I's reign and a significant boom in the arts, particularly in performance arts, which contributed greatly to English and world culture.
• 🎭 Elizabeth I was an admirer of plays and spectacles, using theatre as a medium to project her own glory and that of the Tudor family.
• 🎨 The beginning of the 16th century saw plays often based on religious themes, such as morality and miracle plays, evolving from ancient Greek traditions and other forms of public entertainment.
• 🚫 Initially, plays by strolling players were viewed with suspicion by authorities due to their non-religious content, leading to attempts to ban them.
• 📜 The English Reformation influenced a shift in play themes during Elizabeth's reign, with playwrights like Marlowe and Shakespeare emerging and writing famous comedies and tragedies.
• 🎭👥 The reputation of Elizabethan actors improved with the introduction of purpose-built theaters, elevating them to the status of today's superstars and allowing them to become wealthy stakeholders.
• 🏟️ The construction of theaters like the Rose, Swan, and Globe in London between 1587 and 1598 signified the growing popularity of stage plays and the professionalization of acting troupes.
• 🌐 The Globe Theatre, opened in 1599, was notable for its circular design, capacity for around two thousand spectators, and innovative stage effects like trapdoors and flying actors.
• 🎭👗 All actors during the Elizabethan period were men, even playing female roles, reflecting the professionalization of a previously stigmatized occupation.
• 🎓 The 'University Wits', young playwrights from Cambridge and Oxford, contributed to the development of new play conventions and the popularity of blood plays.
• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The flowering of Elizabethan drama is believed to be connected to a surge in patriotic confidence and national identity following England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Q & A

What is the Elizabethan era known for in terms of arts and culture?

The Elizabethan era, from 1558 to 1603, is known for a boom in the arts, particularly in performance arts, which made a significant and lasting contribution to English and world culture.

How did Queen Elizabeth I use theatre to her advantage?

Queen Elizabeth I used theatre as a medium to project her own glory and that of her family, the Tudors. She actively sponsored artists and playwrights, and theatre helped her manage her image as the Virgin Queen.

What were the origins of plays in the early 16th century in England?

In the early 16th century, many plays were based on religious themes, known as morality plays and miracle plays. There were also masques, where performers sang, danced, and recited poetry in extravagant costumes.

How did the themes of plays change during Elizabeth's reign?

The themes of plays changed during Elizabeth's reign due to the English Reformation, leading to the creation of comedies and tragedies by English playwrights, exploring historical topics and a sense of English nationalism.

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

Famous playwrights of the Elizabethan era include Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, and William Shakespeare, who wrote plays that are still renowned today.

What was the reputation of early Elizabethan actors like?

The reputation of early Elizabethan actors was not good; they were viewed as rogues and vagabonds and were treated with suspicion. However, their standing improved with the introduction of purpose-built theaters.

How did the establishment of theaters impact the financial stability of actors?

The establishment of theaters allowed actors to form a more solid financial base, enabling them to produce more plays and achieve a higher production value. This led to actors becoming stakeholders in the theaters and becoming wealthy.

What was the Globe Theatre's significance in the Elizabethan era?

The Globe Theatre, which opened in 1599, was significant as it was owned by Burbage's sons and members of the Chamberlain's Men acting company, including William Shakespeare. It became a hub for high-quality productions and a symbol of the era's theatrical success.

What were some of the technical features of the Globe Theatre?

The Globe Theatre was made of wood, more or less circular, and open to the skies. It had three tiers of seating for around two thousand people, and the stage featured technical tricks such as lowering actors on wires or using trapdoors for surprise appearances.

How did the audience interact with the performances at Elizabethan theatres?

The audience at Elizabethan theatres was notoriously raucous, with people talking back to the actors as if they were real people. The groundlings, who stood in front of the stage, were known for their lively participation in the performance.

What role did patriotism play in the flourishing of Elizabethan drama?

Patriotism played a significant role in the flourishing of Elizabethan drama, as a surge of national identity and confidence emerged after England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588, which coincided with the rise of playwrights like Shakespeare.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 The Elizabethan Era and the Flourishing of Theatre

The Elizabethan era, spanning from 1558 to 1603, marked a significant period of growth in the arts, especially in performance arts, under Queen Elizabeth I's reign. The queen, an admirer of performances, used theatre as a medium to project her image and that of the Tudor family. Initially, plays were based on religious themes, such as morality and miracle plays, but themes evolved due to the English Reformation, leading to the creation of comedies and tragedies. Playwrights like Marlowe, Johnson, and Shakespeare gained fame, exploring historical topics and contributing to a surge of English nationalism. The reputation of actors improved with the construction of purpose-built theatres, and they became influential figures, even mixing with royalty.

05:00

🏟️ The Evolution of Playhouses and Theatre Companies

As theatre gained popularity, dedicated playhouses like the Rose, Swan, and Globe were constructed in London between 1587 and 1598. The Globe Theatre, which opened in 1599, was partly owned by Shakespeare and other members of the Chamberlain's Men, who shared profits from the theatre. The establishment of theatres allowed actors to form a solid financial base, leading to higher production values. Theatre companies could consist of over a dozen main actors, bit part players, musicians, writers, and other staff. The Globe Theatre, made of wood and open to the skies, had a capacity of around two thousand spectators and was equipped with technical features like wires and trapdoors for dramatic effects. However, the theatre scene was occasionally halted by events like the plague, which darkened the theatres from June 1592 to April 1594.

10:01

🎨 The Cultural Impact of Elizabethan Theatre and Playwrights

The bustling environment around the theatres created a vibrant atmosphere with stores and refreshments. Playwrights, including Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, crafted plays that have left an indelible mark on world literature. Marlowe, in particular, introduced new conventions in drama with his powerful characters and innovative use of blank verse. Other playwrights like Peele and Lyly wrote comedies and fantasies that were performed at court, offering protection from Puritan opposition to theatre. The success of Elizabethan drama is believed to be linked to the surge of patriotic confidence following England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588. However, the golden age of Elizabethan theatre began to fade after Shakespeare's retirement and death, marking the end of an era rich in cultural and dramatic achievements.

Keywords

💡Elizabethan Theater

Elizabethan Theater refers to the theatrical practices and playhouses of the Elizabethan era in England (1558-1603). It was a golden age of English drama, during which many of Shakespeare's plays were performed. The script mentions that the era saw a boom in the arts, particularly in performance arts, with the queen herself being an admirer of plays and spectacles.

💡Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I, also known as Elizabeth the First, was the queen of England during the Elizabethan era. She is noted for her influence on the arts, including theater. The script describes her as carefully managing her image as the 'virgin queen' and using theater as a medium to project her glory and that of the Tudor family.

💡Morality Plays

Morality plays were a type of medieval and Tudor drama that focused on the struggle between good and evil. They were common at the beginning of the 16th century and are mentioned in the script as plays based on religious themes, showing good and bad conduct.

💡Miracle Plays

Miracle plays are a form of early medieval drama that depicted stories from the Bible. The script notes that these plays were among the early forms of theater during the Elizabethan era, alongside morality plays, and were also based on religious themes.

💡Strolling Players

Strolling players were wandering groups of actors who performed plays, often of a secular nature, in various locations. The script mentions that these groups faced opposition from authorities who tried to ban their plays due to their non-religious content.

💡English Reformation

The English Reformation refers to the series of events in the 16th century that led to the Church of England breaking away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. The script indicates that the Reformation influenced the themes of plays during Elizabeth's reign, leading to a shift towards comedies and tragedies.

💡Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre was a large, round, open-air playhouse in London associated with William Shakespeare. The script describes its construction in 1599, its ownership by Burbage's sons and members of the Chamberlain's Men, and its significance as a symbol of the era's theatrical achievements.

💡Chamberlain's Men

The Chamberlain's Men was a prominent acting company in the Elizabethan era, known for their association with Shakespeare. The script mentions that this company shared profits from the Globe Theatre and included Shakespeare himself among its members.

💡University Wits

The University Wits were a group of young playwrights from Cambridge and Oxford universities who contributed to the development of English drama. The script identifies them as having supported the establishment of theaters and as having a significant impact on the form and content of plays during the Elizabethan era.

💡Puritans

Puritans were a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries known for their strict religious beliefs and opposition to the theater. The script notes that despite the Puritan reaction against the stage, plays remained popular, and some companies, like the Lord Chamberlain's Men, performed at court for the protection of patrons.

💡Nationalism

Nationalism in the context of the Elizabethan era refers to the growing sense of English identity and pride. The script suggests that the flowering of Elizabethan drama was partly due to the burst of patriotic confidence following England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Highlights

The Elizabethan era (1558-1603) saw a boom in the arts, especially in performance arts, which contributed significantly to English and world culture.

Queen Elizabeth I was an admirer of plays and spectacles, using theatre to project her own glory and that of the Tudors.

Plays at the beginning of the 16th century were often based on religious themes, such as morality and miracle plays.

The English Reformation led to a shift in play themes, with playwrights exploring comedies and tragedies.

Playwrights like Marlowe, Johnson, and Shakespeare became famous for their plays by the end of Elizabeth's reign.

Historical topics were popular among playwrights, reflecting a growing sense of English nationalism.

Early Elizabethan actors had a poor reputation, viewed as rogues and vagabonds, and were treated with suspicion.

The introduction of purpose-built theaters improved the standing of actors, who became the equivalent of today's superstars.

Major Elizabethan actors became stakeholders in theaters, gaining wealth and mingling with nobility.

All actors were men, and they also played female parts in the Elizabethan period.

The first professional troupe of actors, Leicester's Men, was sponsored by the queen and nobles in 1574.

The popularity of stage plays led to the construction of the Rose, Swan, and Globe theaters in London between 1587 and 1598.

The Globe Theatre, opened in 1599, was owned by Burbage's sons and members of Chamberlain's Men, including Shakespeare.

The Globe Theatre was a wooden, circular structure with a capacity of around two thousand spectators.

The plague caused theaters to close from June 1592 to April 1594, halting play performances.

The Theatre in Shoreditch, built in 1576 by James Burbage, was the first successful English theater in London.

The term 'University Wits' referred to young playwrights from Cambridge and Oxford who supported the theatre.

The Curtain theater was built as an overflow theater, also known as an 'easer', to accommodate larger audiences.

Puritan opposition to the stage led to the establishment of theaters outside London city limits on the south side of the Thames.

The main features of an Elizabethan theatre included an open design, minimal scenery, and a raucous audience.

Shakespeare's plays cast a shadow over other plays of the era and possibly all subsequent plays.

Christopher Marlowe was a significant playwright whose influence might have rivaled Shakespeare's had he not been murdered at 29.

Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones wrote comedies and fantasies that were performed at court, protected from Puritan wrath.

The flowering of Elizabethan drama was partly due to a surge of patriotic confidence after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

The robustness of Elizabethan drama began to fade after Shakespeare's retirement in 1612 and his death in 1616.

Transcripts

[Music]

elizabethan theater

in 13 minutes

the elizabethan era 1558-1603

is the period when elizabeth the first

sat on the throne of england

the age saw a boom in the arts in

general but it was the performance arts

that perhaps

made the most lasting contribution to

english

and even world culture the queen was

herself an admirer of planes

performances

and spectacles which were frequently

held in her royal residences

elizabeth carefully managed her image as

the virgin queen

who had sacrificed her personal life to

better concentrate

on the good of her people theatre was

therefore

just one of the media she used to

project her own glory

and that of her family the tudors

the queen actively sponsored artists and

playwrights

the origins at the beginning of the 16th

century

many plays were based upon religious

themes these were called

morality plays and showed good and bad

conduct

others called miracle plays showed

scenes from the bible

plays date back to the ancient greeks of

the 6th century bc

there were also mars a type of mind

where mars performed sang

dance and recited poetry were in

extravagant costumes

and stood before painted scenery finally

towns across england had long funded

public shows

which involved musicians acrobats and

jesters

and these continued even as theater

became popular

the main exception to these were the

plays put on by wandering groups of

actors

known as strolling players the plays put

on by these groups were often far from

religious

and the authorities tried to ban them

the themes of plays changed during

elizabeth's reign due mainly to the

english reformation

and english playwrights began to write

comedies and tragedies

by the end of her reign playwrights such

as marlow johnson and shakespeare

were writing the play to which they are

now famous

the move away from religious topics had

led writers to explore other things

and their imaginations knew no bounds

historical topics were especially

popular with the new playwrights

and a period when a sense of english

nationalism was developing

as never before the actors

the reputation of the early elizabethan

actors was not good

many were viewed as rogues and vagabonds

actors

were not trusted travelling elizabethan

actors were considered such a threat

that the regulations were imposed and

licenses were granted

to the aristocracy for the maintenance

of troops of players

actors would be asked for these

credentials they were treated with

suspicion

indeed they made perfect spies

the standing of elizabethan actors

improved with the purpose-built theaters

were introduced

a play could attract as many as 3 000

people to the theater

and the elizabethan actors were the

equivalent of today's superstars

many of the major elizabethan actors

became stakeholders in the theaters

and became wealthy men they mixed with

an ability

and played before royalty some of the

famous

actors of the time were edward allen

richard burbidge john hemmings

william rowley robert armin

henry condell william kemp

william shakespeare christopher beaston

nathan field john lowen

and joseph taylor the company of men

all actors were of course men who played

the female parts too

the elizabethan period saw these public

performers become a professional body

of entertainers the first professional

troupe of actors was sponsored by the

queen

nobles and anyone else who had the money

for such entertainments

such as lord robert dudley they were

called leicester's men

and they gained their license in 1574

and two of the country's stately homes

from 1574 all troops had to be licensed

[Music]

the playhouses as the watching of

players become more popular

theaters were built instead of using the

courtyards of inns

the popularity of stage plays led to the

building

of the rose swan and globe theaters

in london between 1587 and 1598.

the globe theatre opened for business in

1599

and was owned by burbridge's sons and

some members of the professional acting

company known

as chamberlain's men one of these

investors was william shakespeare

and he and other actors and playwrights

shared half of the profits from the

theatre while the other half

went to pay secondary actors musicians

costumes

and maintenance costs

crucially the establishment of theaters

meant that previously traveling actors

could now form a more solid financial

base

which allowed them to produce more plays

and give them a much higher production

value

theater companies could boast 12 or more

permanent main actors

and a number of bit part players boys

and apprentice

also on the staff were musicians writers

artists

and copyists the globe theater was made

of wood more

or less circular in form and open to the

skies in the center

rising to a height of 40 foot and

measuring 80 foot across

inside were three tiers of seating

providing a capacity of around two

thousand

the theater got its name from the globe

on its roof

which carried the legend in latin of

shakespeare's famous line

all the world's stage

the globe's stage was rectangular

measuring some 12 meters in length

and was protected by a thatched roof

around 12 actors could perform the stage

at any one time

behind the stage was a gallery which

could see more viewers or be used in an

important part of the play

e.g juliet's balcony and romeo and

juliet

the audience could be surprised by such

technical tricks as lowering actors on

wires or having them appear

or disappear through a trapdoor in the

stage floor

the only thing that stopped the plays

was the plague

and the theaters were dark from june

1592

to april 1594

[Music]

in 1576 james burbidge an actor and

theater builder

built the first successful english

theater in london on land here at least

in shoreditch it was simply called the

theatre

and were supported by young playwrights

from cambridge and oxford universities

these young men became known as the

university wits

and included thomas kidd robert greene

john lilly

thomas nash and john peel the play the

spanish tragedy

written by kid was the template for the

gory tragedy of blood

plays that became wildly popular

another theater called the curtain had

to be built to accommodate the overflow

audiences the technical name for these

overflow theaters

was an easer

the puritan reaction against the stage

was such that the players had to set up

theaters

outside the london city limits on the

south side of the thames

but attentive plays remained popular

amongst normal puritans

the most famous of these theaters which

became the lord chamberlain's men's home

was the globe theatre

[Music]

the main features of an elizabethan

theatre

the theatre was open and plays had to be

formed in daylight

a flag would flow from the top of the

theater to show a play was going to be

performed

people sat around the stage in galleries

the cheapest place was in front of the

stage where all three people stood

they were known as groundlings there was

very little scenery

a character would tell the audience

where the scene was set

women's parts were played by boys

long speeches gave actors a chance to

change their clothes

there was generally plenty of violence

in the planes tudor audiences

loved it

the audience elizabeth theater itself

was notoriously raucous

people most of whom stood throughout the

play

talked back to the actors as if they

were real people

hints of this can be discerned even in

shakespeare's plays

because of sumtry laws restricting what

a person could wear

according to their class actors were

licensed to wear clothing

above their station the design of the

theater was possibly adapted from the

in-yards that had served as plain spaces

for actors

and or bear baiting pits

the wooden building had three galleries

that surrounded

an open yard in shakespeare's henry v

the chorus speech describes the theater

as this wooden o

days out at the globe theatre would have

been an exciting event

the ground surrounded the theater would

have been bustling with people

there have been stores selling

merchandise and refreshments

creating a market day atmosphere

the playwrights more and more theaters

grew up around london

and eventually attracted shakespeare who

wrote some of the greatest plays in

world literature

his plays continued to cast a shadow

over all other plays of the era

and quite possibly all other plays that

came after

but shakespeare was not the only great

playwright of the elizabethan age

there was christopher marlowe many

scholars believe that marlowe might have

rivaled shakespeare

had not been murdered when he was 29

years old

in a fight over a tavern bill in 1593

he was the first to change the

conventions of the early elizabethan

plays

with his towers of overreachers like the

title character of

timberlane the great dr faustus

and barabas in the jew of mortar

men whose will to power provide the

engines for the plays

marlowe used blank or ond rhyme diverse

in a new dynamic way

that changed the very psychology of

drama

in the meantime pill and lily were

writing like comedies

and fantasies such as endemion

these plays performed at court which are

not only patrons

but protected the companies from the

wrath of the puritans

who found theatre sinful one of the

companies who performed at the court

the lord chambers ben had shakespeare as

a member

[Music]

patriotism historians believe that the

flowering of elizabeth and drama was due

in part to the burst of patriotic

confidence

and national identity that erupted after

england's victory

of the spanish armada in 1588.

this was a fleet of ships assembled by

philip ii of spain

to conquer england the conquest fouled

it might not be a coincidence that

shakespeare began to contribute in

earnest

to elizabethan drama around 1588

when he was 24 though he arrived in

london from his home in

stratford-upon-avon

around 1585 to seek work as an actor

by 1600 three years before elizabeth

died

the robustness of elizabeth and drama

began to fade

after shakespeare's retirement in 1612

and his death in 1616 elizabethan drama

was no more

[Music]

elizabethan theater in 30 minutes

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