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William
Shakespeare
1564 - 1616
Life and Times
• What we know about
Shakespeare comes from church
documents and legal records.
– Some documents that we have
are baptismal registration,
marriage license, and records of
real estate transactions.
Shakespeare’s Life
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Shakespeare was an actor
By 1594, he was a charter member of
the theatrical company called Lord
Chamberlains Men, which later
become The Kings Men.
The Kings Men were supported by
King James
THE
GLOBE
The Globe
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Located on the south bank of the Thames
The most famous London Playhouse
Flew a flag to announce a performance
Acting companies used boys to play female
roles.
Shakespeare was a member of Lord
Chamberlain’s Company. Later called the
King’s Men.
Theater continued
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In his play Henry V Shakespeare calls
his theater the Wooden O
Groundlings – people who stood
around the stage for the price of a
penny
The New Globe
The wealthy’s view of the stage
“The Heavens” as seen by the groundlings
ELIZABETHAN
THEATRE
Values of the Renaissance
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Development of Humanism – focus on
humanity and human potential in the
arts rather than religion.
Patrons – Wealthy individuals and
families who supported this
movement.
Values of the Renaissance
• “Renaissance Man” = ideal individual
who mastered all areas of study – art,
literature, philosophy, science
• “Renaissance Woman” = should know
the classics of literature and be socially
charming.
Renaissance Literature
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Humanists drew inspiration from the Greek
and Roman Myths to understand human
nature.
Belief that human possibilities and the
potential for accomplishment was limitless.
Studied old styles to imitate them as well.
History of Elizabethan
Theatre
Traveling Actors
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performed in the courtyards of taverns (innyards)
built temporary stages to perform on
actors moved around from one venue to the
next.
the biggest Inn-yard had a max capacity of
500
Traveling Actors
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'The Theatre'
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1st permanent theater
paid for by James Burbage (father of the actor,
Richard Burbage)
he obtained a lease/permission to build in
Shoreditch, London
Lord Chamberlain's Men used it from 1594 to
1596
The Amphitheaters
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The 'Theatre' was built similar in style to the
Roman Coliseum, but on a smaller scale.
Elizabethan amphitheatre was designed to
hold a capacity of up to 3000 people
The Amphitheaters
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Similar amphitheatres were later built to
house blood sports, such as bear beating at
the 'Bear Garden' and bull beating at the
'Bull Ring'.
1577- “The Curtain” opens in Finsbury
Fields in Shoreditch, London
1587- “The Rose” theatre opens
The theatre and the Bubonic Plague
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constant outbreaks of “The Black Death” during
this time period
large audiences who were attracted to the
massive theatres posed a serious health
hazard to the largely populated city of London
1593- all theatres were closed due to the
Bubonic Plague
Theatres Banned in London
– Many Londoners were strict Protestants
(Puritans, in fact)
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abhorred the theatres and the people it
attracted
Objections to the theaters escalated from the
Church and City Officials.
Theatres Banned in London
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Respectable citizens added even more
objections
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about the rise in crime
the bawdy nature of some plays
fighting
drinking
not to mention the risk of the spread of the Bubonic
Plague
Theatres Banned
– 1596- authorities were unwilling to
ignore the growing complaints any
longer
• public presentation of plays and all
theaters within the city limits were
banned.
• all theaters located in the city were
forced to move to the South side of the
River Thames
– outside the City limits of London
Plague Strikes Again
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1603- Bubonic Plague again ravages
London
– killing 33,000 people and
– all theatres are closed until the deadly
outbreak subsides.
Elizabethan Women
A Patriarchal Society
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Patriarchal
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Women were "the weaker sex"
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men were considered the leader and women their
inferiors.
in terms of physical AND emotional strength
It was believed that women always needed
someone to look after them.
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married woman- her husband looked after her
single or widowed- her father, brother or some
other male relative took care of her
Women and Education
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Many wealthy women were highly educated
– Queen Elizabeth
– Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke
Women were not allowed to go to school or to
university
– educated at home by private tutors (if they could
afford it)
Women were not allowed to enter the professions of
– law
– medicine
– politics
Women and Professions
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Women could work in domestic service
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cook
maid
lady’s companion
Also allowed to write works of literature IF the
subject was suitable for women
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translation
religious works
Women and Professions
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Women were not allowed to act on or write
for the public stage
Acting was dishonorable for women
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they did not appear on the English stage until
the 16th Century
In Shakespeare's plays,
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the roles of women were often played by young
boys.
The Rights of Women
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Women were not allowed to vote at all
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only men of a certain social position were allowed
to vote
Women could not inherit their father's titles
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passed from father to son
only exception was the throne
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the crown could pass to a daughter and she would be
granted all the power and Majesty of any king
this allowed Mary, and then Elizabeth, to reign
Women could not inherit estates, but could
be heiresses to property
Marriage
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The rights of the man
– head of the household and the marriage
– had the legal right to chastise his wife.
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This did not mean, that he was able to be a
petty tyrant.
– was expected to take care of her and make
sure she had all that she needed
– most important - to love her and be a good
father to any children they had
Marriage and Divorce
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If he felt the need to chastise his wife,
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If a man abused his wife
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then he was not allowed to be cruel or inflict bodily
harm.
he could be prosecuted
prevented from living with her
There was no divorce during this time period
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Marriage lasted as long as the couple both lived
Separation and Annulment
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If a couple wanted to separate
– they needed to obtain an annulment,
– if granted, this meant that their marriage
was never lawful
•
Henry VIII
– married 6 times
– only regarded Jane Seymour and
Katherine Parr as his legal wives.
The End