Elizabethan Theater Essay, Research Paper

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 style still influences culture. It changed

altered it into what it modern literature and theater is today. The Elizabethan

Age began during the last twenty years of Elizabeth I?s reign (Lace, 71).

Elizabeth loved the arts and England had increased in wealth and internal peace

(Lace, 71). Elizabethan drama placed its roots in the medieval church (Lace,

71). Since all services were held in Latin, a language common people did not

speak, priests acted out the stories of the bible to teach (Lace, 71). Beginning

in church behind the alter, plays grew more popular as more people wanted to see

them (Lace, 71). When there were not enough priests to fill the roles, commoners

were given parts. Eventually, the common people took over the plays and the

church became less involved (Lace, 72). The biblical plays transformed into

mystery and morality plays. Morality plays were more serious and meant to teach

people the difference between right and wrong (Lace, 78). Mystery plays, while

still teaching morals, were the more entertaining plays. Both were highly

religious. The actors of the time led an ambiguous life. In the first half of

the 16th century they were seen as little better than thieves; some, in fact,

were thieves (Lace, 73). While some actors were performing others would go

through the crowds and pick pocket (Lace, 74). Touring companies were small,

usually less than ten people (Lace, 74). Actors traveled by wagon and slept in

or under them (Lace, 74). Almost no women were actors, women?s parts were

played by younger boys (Lace, 74). Elizabethan theater was strongly influenced

by individuals and events – It also was an influence on the people themselves.

Although there were many outstanding actors and playwrights, only a few are

acknowledged for their affect in molding early theater. When Christopher Marlowe,

the most famous playwright in his time (Lace, 79), died, William Shakespeare was

his successor. Shakespeare decided drama was to be his career after seeing the

Queen?s Players during a visit to his hometown of Stratford-on-Avon in 1587

(Lace, 79). By the time of Marlowe?s death, Shakespeare was already well known

for his three part ?Henry VI? in 1592 (Lace, 79). His plays ?Love?s

Labour?s Lost? and ?Romeo and Juliet?, both in 1594, were performed and

he became the most outstanding playwright of his time (Lace, 79). Before

Elizabeth?s reign was over, ?Richard II?, ?Julius Caesar?, ?Henry

V?, and ?Hamlet? had been performed (Lace, 79). James Burbage was the

second most influential actor of the Elizabethan period, but not only for his

acting talent. Burbage built the first ever public playhouse in England, opening

in 1576 (Unknown, 218). Burbage financed the building of ?The Theater?

alone, a well off man but was still considered a rogue. Actors were not the only

influence on theater. When Mary Tudor decided the throne was rightfully hers,

the War of the Roses ensued (Lace, 73). Because of the War of the Roses, many

nobles, that employed actors, were killed (Lace, 73). This forced actors to form

their own troupes (Lace, 73). In 1572, parliament passed the Poor Laws, making

it a criminal offense to be a vagabond (Lace, 75). This reduced the number of

acting companies and required them to be licensed by the government (Lace, 75).

Companies already sponsored by nobles were given licenses (Lace, 75). This made

gaining legal status an important step for the acting profession (Lace, 75).

Informal protection was now backed up by the law, this was useful to the

increasing hostility of city officials towards plays and actors (Lace, 75). The

cornerstone of Elizabethan Drama were, in fact, the theater houses themselves.

At ?The Theater? the price of admission was a penny, this entitled one to

stand on the ground around the stage (Lace, 77). The poorest and most boisterous

were looked down upon by the more well off, who called them groundlings (Lace,

77). The next higher were low galleries that cost another penny, and prices go

up the higher you go (Lace, 77). The highest gallery were private rooms, but not

the most expensive (Lace, 77). The most expensive were on the stage itself.

These people often disturbed the performance by talking, playing cards, or

showing off new clothing (Lace, 77). The theaters were built much like the court

yards the actors were used to (Lace, 76). The building was circular and the

stage extended out so that the audience almost surrounded it (Lace, 76). Scenery

was limited but special effects were now possible (Lace, 76). Actors could pop

up through trap doors or be lowered from above from a room known as ?heaven?

(Lace, 76). At the rear of the stage there were two doors used for both scenery

and actors (Lace, 76). Backstage were rooms for storage, ?tiring rooms?

(where actors got attired, dressed) and the green room where actors waited for

their cues to go onstage (Lace, 76). ?The Theatre? was an immediate success

with both upper and middle classes (Lace, 77). Middle-class merchants, mostly

puritans, disliked plays but apprentices often snuck away from work to watch

them (Lace, 77). The audience was mostly male. Going to a public play, even if

escorted, was considered not respectable for women (Lace, 77). Only lowest class

women and the greatest nobles enjoyed plays by themselves (Lace, 77). Upper

class women and the greatest nobles enjoyed plays, but the actors came and

performed in private halls (Lace, 77). The Globe was the most famous of all the

Elizabethan theaters (Lace, 77). In 1594, Burbage?s lease had run out on

?The Theatre? and the landlord wanted to raise rent (Lace, 77). They argued

for years. Finally Burbage tore down ?The Theatre? and transported the

lumber across the Thames to Southwark and built The Globe (Lace, 77). The new

theater was occupied by the newly formed Lord Chamberlain?s Players, founded

by Elizabeth?s cousin, Lord Hudson (Lace, 77). This most famous troupe

included Shakespeare and James Burbage?s son Richard, considered the best

actor of the time (Lace, 77). Opened to the public in 1599 with Shakespeare?s

?Henry V? (Lace, 78). Some historians believe Shakespeare played the part of

chorus saying: ?But pardon gentles all, The flat arraised spirits that hath

dared On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth So great an object can this

cockpit hold The vastly [vast] field of France? Or may we cram With in this

wooden O the very casques [helmets] That did affright the air at [the Battle of]

Agincourt? (Lace, 78). All the minor details and trifle ways that shaped the

style of the Elizabethan era are the same that changes the style of modern

times. Unknown to the innovators of their time, their contributions to the

theater they lived for are still recognized and appreciated. Had it not been for

these noble few literature and theater would not quite be the art form it is

today.

Lace, William W. Elizabethan England. San Diego, Ca. Lucent Books, 1995.

Boas, Fredrick S. An Introduction to Tudor Drama. Oxford, Eng. Clarendon Press,

1977. ?The English Theater.? Cultural Atlas of the Renaissance, p218. Arnold

Edward., ed Prentive Hall Literature. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: PrenticeHall,

1989. Internet. http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/costumes.html.