The Elizabethan The Elizabethan AgeAge

and Shakespeare and Shakespeare

Changes in SocietyChanges in Society

Growing Merchant PowerGrowing Merchant Power Trade and New WorldTrade and New World Navel Power – Spanish Armada DefeatNavel Power – Spanish Armada Defeat

Aristocratic Discontent with Power of Aristocratic Discontent with Power of MonarchMonarch Henry VIIIHenry VIII MaryMary

Rise of New Merchant ClassRise of New Merchant Class London Grows to 250,000London Grows to 250,000

National Confidence National Confidence

As a Result – Repression!As a Result – Repression!

The Crown Tried to Suppress Civil Unrest The Crown Tried to Suppress Civil Unrest and Religious Dissentand Religious Dissent Crown Limited Public AssemblyCrown Limited Public Assembly Church Cancelled Feast of Corpus Christi – Church Cancelled Feast of Corpus Christi –

15481548 York Cycle Performed Last Time – 1569York Cycle Performed Last Time – 1569

Now…Now… Morality Drama “Played Out” in Secular Morality Drama “Played Out” in Secular

Arena Arena

Royal CensorshipRoyal Censorship

Crown and Towns feared riots and assembliesCrown and Towns feared riots and assemblies ““Act for the Punishment of Vagabonds” – Act for the Punishment of Vagabonds” –

1572 1572 Itinerant Players and Entertainers Couldn’t Itinerant Players and Entertainers Couldn’t

Wander Throughout CountryWander Throughout Country Players Had to Belong to a Nobleman’s CompanyPlayers Had to Belong to a Nobleman’s Company

Protected as ServantsProtected as Servants Licensed to PerformLicensed to Perform

Shows Strong Bond Between Theater and Shows Strong Bond Between Theater and NoblemanNobleman

Royal PatentsRoyal Patents

Queen Elizabeth Granted Patents:Queen Elizabeth Granted Patents:

Patent Granted Right to Perform in PublicPatent Granted Right to Perform in Public““Comedies, Tragedies, Interludes, and Stage Comedies, Tragedies, Interludes, and Stage Plays”Plays” Submit Plays to Master of Revels for OKSubmit Plays to Master of Revels for OK

Sedition Laws – Playwrights CarefulSedition Laws – Playwrights Careful No Performances During Prayer Time and No Performances During Prayer Time and

PlaguePlague Elizabeth Saw Around 5 Performances a Elizabeth Saw Around 5 Performances a

YearYear Paid 10 Pounds For Each PerformancePaid 10 Pounds For Each Performance

Professional CompaniesProfessional Companies

Adult Companies:Adult Companies: Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Shakespeare’s Company)Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Shakespeare’s Company)

Led by Burbage Family – James and RichardLed by Burbage Family – James and Richard Later Renamed The King’s MenLater Renamed The King’s Men

Lord Admiral’s Men (Performed Marlowe Plays)Lord Admiral’s Men (Performed Marlowe Plays) Led by Edward AlleynLed by Edward Alleyn

Profit-making CorporationsProfit-making Corporations Sharers or Stock-holders Sharers or Stock-holders

Sharer: 180 Pounds/Year Sharer: 180 Pounds/Year Actor: 50 Pounds/YearActor: 50 Pounds/Year Hired Man: 5-10 Shillings/ WeekHired Man: 5-10 Shillings/ Week

Sharer Involved in All Aspects of Theatre for 3 Sharer Involved in All Aspects of Theatre for 3 YearsYears

Rules of the HouseRules of the House

Lady Elizabeth’s Men – Fines 1614Lady Elizabeth’s Men – Fines 1614

Lateness to Rehearsal – 1 shilling (12 pence) Lateness to Rehearsal – 1 shilling (12 pence) Lateness to Performance – 3 shillingsLateness to Performance – 3 shillings Intoxication During Performance – 10 shillingsIntoxication During Performance – 10 shillings Missing Performance – 1 Pound (20 shillings)Missing Performance – 1 Pound (20 shillings) Wearing a Costume Outside Theatre – 40 Wearing a Costume Outside Theatre – 40

PoundsPounds More Than a Year’s Wage for an ActorMore Than a Year’s Wage for an Actor

Professional Professional CompaniesCompanies

Boys’ CompaniesBoys’ Companies Formed in the Choir SchoolsFormed in the Choir Schools

AmateursAmateurs Blackfriars Boys or The Children of Her Blackfriars Boys or The Children of Her

Majesty's ChapelMajesty's Chapel Elocution and DeportmentElocution and Deportment Masques & “Railing” Comedy Masques & “Railing” Comedy After 1600 -- Professional After 1600 -- Professional Second Blackfriars TheatreSecond Blackfriars Theatre

1600-1608 1600-1608 Taken Over by King’s Men Taken Over by King’s Men

Theatres in LondonTheatres in London

Public TheatresPublic Theatres

Outside City of LondonOutside City of London Large, Open Polygonal Three Story Large, Open Polygonal Three Story

Building – 2,000Building – 2,000 Stage, Roof, Tiring House, Grave Trap Stage, Roof, Tiring House, Grave Trap Afternoon PerformancesAfternoon Performances

Groundlings Paid 1 PennyGroundlings Paid 1 Penny

The TheatreThe Theatre First Theatre Built in London – 1576 First Theatre Built in London – 1576 Built by James Burbage’s company, the Built by James Burbage’s company, the

Lord Chamberlain's MenLord Chamberlain's Men 10 Actors10 Actors 10 Hirelings10 Hirelings MusiciansMusicians StagehandsStagehands Fee GatherersFee Gatherers 5 Apprentices5 Apprentices

Swan Theatre 1596Swan Theatre 1596Drawing by Johannes de WittDrawing by Johannes de Witt

Private TheatrePrivate Theatre Inside city of LondonInside city of London Built on LibertiesBuilt on Liberties

Properties Once Owned by Monasteries Properties Once Owned by Monasteries Blackfriars TheatreBlackfriars Theatre

Looked Like a Banquet RoomLooked Like a Banquet Room Low Stage at Rounded EndLow Stage at Rounded End BenchesBenches Illuminated by CandlesIlluminated by Candles 6 Pence6 Pence Performed in WinterPerformed in Winter Reputation for SatireReputation for Satire Ben Johnson Wrote Masques Ben Johnson Wrote Masques Inigo Inigo

Jones designJones design

Court TheatreCourt Theatre Performed at Court and Manor HousesPerformed at Court and Manor Houses MasquesMasques

Plays Written in VersePlays Written in Verse Mythological SubjectsMythological Subjects Dance, Costumes, Music Dance, Costumes, Music Special EffectsSpecial Effects Court on Stage With ActorsCourt on Stage With Actors Expensive 4-21,000 PoundsExpensive 4-21,000 Pounds

Inigo Jones’ Whitehall TheatreInigo Jones’ Whitehall Theatre First to Use Changeable SceneryFirst to Use Changeable Scenery Wings-and-Backdrop Wings-and-Backdrop Model Throughout 18Model Throughout 18thth Century Century

RepertoryRepertory Companies Performed Up to 200 Days a Companies Performed Up to 200 Days a

YearYear Great Competition Great Competition Demand for New PlaysDemand for New Plays

HistoriesHistories – Classical and English – Classical and English Julius CaesarJulius Caesar and and Henry VHenry V

ComediesComedies – Romantic and City – Romantic and City Midsummer Night’s DreamMidsummer Night’s Dream and and Measure for MeasureMeasure for Measure

Heroic TragediesHeroic Tragedies Hamlet, The Duchess of MalfiHamlet, The Duchess of Malfi (John Webster) (John Webster)

Intrigue or SatireIntrigue or Satire The MalcontentThe Malcontent (John Marston) (John Marston)

TragicomedyTragicomedy Begin in Tragic Mode But End HappilyBegin in Tragic Mode But End Happily The TempestThe Tempest

Influence of Classical Influence of Classical DramaDrama

In Teaching Latin Schools and Universities In Teaching Latin Schools and Universities Covered: Covered:

Roman DramaRoman Drama Comedy of Plautus and TerenceComedy of Plautus and Terence Tragedies of SenecaTragedies of Seneca

Medieval TheatreMedieval Theatre Christian ProvidenceChristian Providence SymbolismSymbolism Stage as Neutral Space - BareStage as Neutral Space - Bare Relationship Between Relationship Between

Dramatic World and AudienceDramatic World and Audience

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s InspirationInspiration

Romantic Comedy Copied From Plautus’ Romantic Comedy Copied From Plautus’ PlaysPlays Mistaken Identities, Separated Lovers, Mistaken Identities, Separated Lovers,

Irascible Old Man or Father, Wiley ServantIrascible Old Man or Father, Wiley Servant Tragedy Influenced by Seneca’s Violent Tragedy Influenced by Seneca’s Violent

PlaysPlays See Next Slide for DetailsSee Next Slide for Details

Renaissance Plays:Renaissance Plays: Variety of CharactersVariety of Characters Multiple PlotsMultiple Plots Action Not Focused Just on Tragic HeroAction Not Focused Just on Tragic Hero

The Roman Revenge The Roman Revenge TragedyTragedy

The Wronged Hero Is Justified in His RevengeThe Wronged Hero Is Justified in His Revenge Hero’s Revenge Is Aimed at Someone Equal in Hero’s Revenge Is Aimed at Someone Equal in

Power and Cunning – No Challenge; No FunPower and Cunning – No Challenge; No Fun Gloomy Atmosphere and Supernatural ElementsGloomy Atmosphere and Supernatural Elements Innocent, Wronged Woman is Obstacle to the Innocent, Wronged Woman is Obstacle to the

Hero Achieving His RevengeHero Achieving His Revenge Counterplot Begun By Antagonist Engulfs Hero Counterplot Begun By Antagonist Engulfs Hero

As His Own Vengeance is AccomplishedAs His Own Vengeance is Accomplished Hero Gets Poetic Justice on Earth; Heaven Hero Gets Poetic Justice on Earth; Heaven

Punishes HeroPunishes Hero

LanguageLanguage

Bank VerseBank Verse Unrhymed Iambic PentameterUnrhymed Iambic Pentameter

10 Syllables with Alternating Stress10 Syllables with Alternating Stress u/u/u/u/u/u/u/u/u/u/

ProseProse EmphasisEmphasis Develop CharacterDevelop Character

Originally, No Division Into ActsOriginally, No Division Into Acts Rapid and Continuous Rapid and Continuous

Little Scenery ChangeLittle Scenery Change

AudienceAudience

Gallery PatronsGallery Patrons EducatedEducated Interested in Ideas and WordsInterested in Ideas and Words Appreciate Humor and Character Appreciate Humor and Character

DevelopmentDevelopment Pit GroundlingsPit Groundlings

UneducatedUneducated Want Sex, Action, Violence, Comedy, and Want Sex, Action, Violence, Comedy, and

More SexMore Sex Short Attention SpanShort Attention Span

Keep It SnappyKeep It Snappy Just Like TodayJust Like Today

SpectacleSpectacle

Elaborate ClothingElaborate Clothing Elizabethan MostlyElizabethan Mostly

Mechanical Mechanical PropertiesProperties

ClownsClowns

Will KempeWill Kempe Richard TarletonRichard Tarleton

WomenWomen

Boy and Men Actors Played Women’s PartsBoy and Men Actors Played Women’s Parts Hierarchical Society Despite “Virgin Queen”Hierarchical Society Despite “Virgin Queen” Absence From Stage Shows Absence From Absence From Stage Shows Absence From

PowerPower

French Troupe of Women at Blackfriars in 1629French Troupe of Women at Blackfriars in 1629 Met With Hostility and RidiculeMet With Hostility and Ridicule

Aristocratic Women Attended TheatreAristocratic Women Attended Theatre A Few Wrote PlaysA Few Wrote Plays

Elizabeth Cary -- Elizabeth Cary -- Tragedy of MiriamTragedy of Miriam 1613 1613

Use of TheatreUse of Theatre

Monarchs – Spin ControlMonarchs – Spin Control Knew Images Had PowerKnew Images Had Power Shaped People’s Understanding of Royal MightShaped People’s Understanding of Royal Might

Playwrights and AudiencePlaywrights and Audience Magical Image of Human PossibilitiesMagical Image of Human Possibilities Power to Transform Self and WorldPower to Transform Self and World

Puritan Critics Thought Theatre Seduced Puritan Critics Thought Theatre Seduced with False Realitywith False Reality

No! Theatre Reflected Concerns and No! Theatre Reflected Concerns and Reality of SocietyReality of Society

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare 1564-16161564-1616

Born Stratford-upon-Avon Born Stratford-upon-Avon Second of Eight Children Second of Eight Children Local Grammar School 4-Local Grammar School 4-

15 15 Married Anne Hathaway Married Anne Hathaway

15821582 Left for LondonLeft for London By 1591 Writing PlaysBy 1591 Writing Plays 1594 Lord Chamberlain’s 1594 Lord Chamberlain’s

MenMen 1616 Died in Stratford1616 Died in Stratford

Praise From Ben JohnsonPraise From Ben Johnson

““I remember that the players have often I remember that the players have often mentioned it as an honor to Shakespeare that in mentioned it as an honor to Shakespeare that in his writing, whatsoever he penned, he never his writing, whatsoever he penned, he never blotted out a line….He was ….honest, and of an blotted out a line….He was ….honest, and of an open and free nature; had an excellent fancy, open and free nature; had an excellent fancy, brave notions, and gentle expressions wherein brave notions, and gentle expressions wherein he flowed with that facility that sometime it was he flowed with that facility that sometime it was necessary he should be stopped….Many times he necessary he should be stopped….Many times he fell into those things could not escape laughter…fell into those things could not escape laughter…But he redeemed his vices with his virtues. But he redeemed his vices with his virtues. There was ever more in him to be praised than to There was ever more in him to be praised than to be pardoned.”be pardoned.”

Structure in Structure in Shakespeare’s PlaysShakespeare’s Plays

ExpositionExposition Speech that Introduces the Audience to Speech that Introduces the Audience to

the Characters and Situationthe Characters and Situation Introduces Conflict and Explains How the Introduces Conflict and Explains How the

Order of the Play's World has been Order of the Play's World has been DisruptedDisrupted

ComplicationComplication Actions of the Characters Disrupt the Actions of the Characters Disrupt the

Established Social OrderEstablished Social Order Chaos By the Middle of the Play Chaos By the Middle of the Play

ResolutionResolution Social Order is Restored by End of PlaySocial Order is Restored by End of Play

Themes in Shakespeare’s Themes in Shakespeare’s PlaysPlays

Tension Between Idea of Order and Tension Between Idea of Order and Reality of DisorderReality of Disorder

How Do You Find That Tension?How Do You Find That Tension? Look for the Broad PatternsLook for the Broad Patterns What Makes the Play Unique? What Makes the Play Unique? Look at the Language Look at the Language Look at the Complex Ways Look at the Complex Ways

Characters ActCharacters Act

History of Theatre is History of Theatre is History of AdaptationHistory of Adaptation

Shakespeare’s PlaysShakespeare’s Plays

Slice and Dice = Mincemeat?Slice and Dice = Mincemeat? Even in Shakespeare’s Time Plays Even in Shakespeare’s Time Plays

Altered Altered King Lear Rewritten With Happy King Lear Rewritten With Happy

Ending in 1681Ending in 1681 Staged into 19Staged into 19thth Century Century

Same True Today in Stage and Film Same True Today in Stage and Film

As We Look at As We Look at HamletHamlet, Consider , Consider How We Change It How We Change It

For TodayFor Today

(Yes, It’s Video Time. Bring on Mel!)(Yes, It’s Video Time. Bring on Mel!)

HamletHamlet

Everyone’s A CriticEveryone’s A Critic

"Though this be madness, yet there is "Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't." (Act II, Scene II). method in 't." (Act II, Scene II). 

Good Will HuntingGood Will Hunting Want some Extra Want some Extra

Credit?Credit?

In In GlobeGlobe Find 10 Things Find 10 Things That Are Interesting Or That Are Interesting Or Unusual About Unusual About Shakespeare and His Shakespeare and His World. World.

Check out the specific Check out the specific directions at the bottom directions at the bottom of the Lecture Notes.of the Lecture Notes.