Classical Theatre History A Journey Classical Theatre History A Journey Through Time Through Time

The Elizabethan EraThe Elizabethan Era

By Margaret FolandBy Margaret Foland

AET 541 AET 541

Dawn R. TittleDawn R. Tittle

Introductions to the Elizabethan EraIntroductions to the Elizabethan Era

Week 5 – England as a World Power This lesson will focus on the reign of Elizabeth I of

England, how her political strengths allowed England to develop into a world power.

It will also focus on the theatre of this time, the end of Biblical Drama and beginning of the new drama.

Finally we will look at the theatre – what did it look like, how where performances stage, and who were the

players, playwrights, and sponsors of the arts.

History of EnglandHistory of England Henry VIII reins 1509-1547Henry VIII reins 1509-1547 Edward reins 1547-1551Edward reins 1547-1551 Mary I reins 1551-1558Mary I reins 1551-1558 Elizabeth I reins 1558-1603 Elizabeth I reins 1558-1603 Inventions for theatre – some had been developedInventions for theatre – some had been developed Elizabeth I 1558 – 1603 Elizabeth I 1558 – 1603 Biblical Drama endsBiblical Drama ends Privateers (navy)Privateers (navy) Pirates – like Reighly and Francis Drake Pirates – like Reighly and Francis Drake After defeat 1588, wave of nationalism After defeat 1588, wave of nationalism Celebrated by being part of God’s WorldCelebrated by being part of God’s World Law – before defeat of Armada, but after defeat of nationalismLaw – before defeat of Armada, but after defeat of nationalism Head of Church of England under Queen – monarch, nationalism Head of Church of England under Queen – monarch, nationalism

inspiredinspired Absolute height of optimism and exuberanceAbsolute height of optimism and exuberance The Golden Age of EnglandThe Golden Age of England London – teaming with peopleLondon – teaming with people Homes built out of wood, frequent firesHomes built out of wood, frequent fires Plagues – small pox, people wore make – up to cover up pock marks Plagues – small pox, people wore make – up to cover up pock marks

on the faceon the face White face – did not get much sun people wore wealthWhite face – did not get much sun people wore wealth

England’s History Cont’dEngland’s History Cont’d If you get sun – you worked in it, no attention paid Lacy, diamond, pearl – sewed into dress 2 suits – remarkably rich persons – 1 or 2 shirts Some wore under garments some did not Wore jerkins and hose Shoes like puritans wore The Elizabethan Renaissance 1485-1642 War of the Roses 1455 – 1485 Accession of Henry VII 1485-1509 Henry VIII 1509-1547 Henry VIII

Good politician Good writer First wife – Catherine of Aragon Second wife – Anne Boleyn Third Wife – Jane Seymour Chidren

Mary I – 1551- 1558 Edward I 1547- 1551 Elizabeth I – 1558 - 1603

Elizabeth I Ruled England by herself Very good rule Loved the arts Good writer and politician – took after her father

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

When did biblical drama end in When did biblical drama end in England?England?

What were the names of the all the What were the names of the all the wives of Henry VIII?wives of Henry VIII?

How long did the reigns of Edward I, How long did the reigns of Edward I, Mary I, and Elizabeth I last?Mary I, and Elizabeth I last?

Who took the throne of England after Who took the throne of England after the death of Elizabeth?the death of Elizabeth?

The Elizabethan TheatreThe Elizabethan Theatre

Constantly needed to write, rehearse, and memorize lines and ready to perform

10 performances was praised and revised Some may have been rewritten by other playwrights for other theatres –

written better Kyde – Harinmo is mad again – Spanish Tragedy Shakespeare rewrote it or borrowed it and wrote Hamlet Groundlings in capable of joys – according to Shakespeare (crowd as many

theatres if play was popular) Puritans – people went to buy things from maids – buy a piece of fruit –

went up to the top level to have sex (peel the orange) Yet another reason to have people gather – medieval man – illiterate Only people who needed to write was the playwright Roles and type casting Young boys played girls Experienced actors play old women No women actress allowed on English stages until the Restoration Theatre made money in the age of Shakespeare The wooden ode

The Stage formatThe Stage format

Groundlings – standing room by the stageGroundlings – standing room by the stage 90’ outer diameter90’ outer diameter Yard 66’Yard 66’ Boxes (Gent’s Rooms) and 3 tiers of Boxes (Gent’s Rooms) and 3 tiers of

galleriesgalleries Raised, trapped trestle stage, could be Raised, trapped trestle stage, could be

movedmoved 15’ D x 40’ W upstage, and 16’ D x 36’ W 15’ D x 40’ W upstage, and 16’ D x 36’ W

downstagedownstage 3 sided – thrust stage, audience on 3 sides 3 sided – thrust stage, audience on 3 sides

of stageof stage May have had music forques / reactionMay have had music forques / reaction

Plays and PlaywrightsPlays and Playwrights Christopher Marlowe 1564-1593Christopher Marlowe 1564-1593 William Shakespeare 1546-1616 Ben JohnsonBen Johnson John WebsterJohn Webster Plays dealt with important social issues Plays dealt with important social issues The mighty lineThe mighty line Iambic pentameterIambic pentameter Killed when he was 29Killed when he was 29 Mixed original plotsMixed original plots Episodic plotsEpisodic plots Early point of attackEarly point of attack Chronological orderChronological order Short scene mixing comedy and seriousnessShort scene mixing comedy and seriousness Time and place shift rapidlyTime and place shift rapidly Locale and other information depends on playwrightLocale and other information depends on playwright ““A machine for acting”A machine for acting” Marlowe – Shakespeare TheoryMarlowe – Shakespeare Theory

Purported portrait of Shakespeare resembling that of Christopher Marlowe as a young man Purported portrait of Shakespeare resembling that of Christopher Marlowe as a young man (Marlowe – Shakespeare theory starts from here)(Marlowe – Shakespeare theory starts from here) Or is this Shakespeare – as a London young man – newly discovered portrait of ShakespeareOr is this Shakespeare – as a London young man – newly discovered portrait of Shakespeare

Actors of the Elizabethan EraActors of the Elizabethan Era

Marlowe’s Troupe Thomas Kyde 1557-1595 John Lyly George Peele Thomas Nasha

Lord Admirals’ Men Ned Alleyn

Kings Men, before Lord Chamberlain’s men Richard Burbage Philip Henslowe William Shakespeare

Edward Alleyn

Video Clips of Shakespearean proportionsVideo Clips of Shakespearean proportions

http://youtu.be/aE2cr-fIvBA http://youtu.be/QTM0wW2SNlU http://youtu.be/kOHM7DhqTpE http://youtu.be/YWdTyIRemcE

Shakespeare and Marlowe video clips http://youtu.be/07R6KbaU85A http://youtu.be/PK-5TeQAeM8 http://youtu.be/xYZHb2xo0OI

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What did the Globe Theatre look like?What did the Globe Theatre look like? Who was Christopher Marlowe?Who was Christopher Marlowe? Who were the Kings Men?Who were the Kings Men? What plays did Marlowe write?What plays did Marlowe write? What plays did Shakespeare write?What plays did Shakespeare write? Who was responsible for the publication of Who was responsible for the publication of

Shakespeare’s plays – this is in the text?Shakespeare’s plays – this is in the text? Who sponsored the theatre?Who sponsored the theatre? When did the state take over – state When did the state take over – state

sponsored theatre?sponsored theatre?

ReferencesReferences

Elizabeth I, of England. (2011). Retrieved from http://tudorhistory.org/elizabeth/

The Globe Theatre. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mswrede0708.wikispaces.com/file/view/images.jpg/31251719/images.jpg

William Shakespeare. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/03/great-shakes-115875-21490827/

Wilson, E., & Goldfarb, A. (2008). History of the Theatre: Living Theatre (5th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw Hill.