England During the Reign of:

Elizabeth Tudor

England During the 16th Century

St. Paul’s Cathedral Tower of London

London BridgeShakespeare’s Globe Theater

So What Makes the English Renaissance Different???

• Fashion was the art of the era!!!!!– Yes, there was art…but it wasn’t as important as

in Italy or in Flanders…– Typical artists were Hans Holbein the younger

(official portrait artist of the Tudor Dynasty)

• Plays & Theatre were the heart of the Renaissance literature movement in England.– Most literature didn’t focus on secularism vs.

religion.– The plays of Shakespeare were what people read

& were what held their interest!

Royal portrait of Elizabeth Tudor

Elizabeth’s Rival: Mary

Stuart

Mother of King Edward: Jane

Seymour

Elizabethan-style corset. These were very typical during 16th

century England

Example of a man’s tunic

Typical dress of the male nobility.

Tights with the “poofy” shorts is not just a

stereotype!!!!

Elizabethan make up was very similar to this picture.

It was “beautiful” to have the powder-white skin against the

bright rouge & lipstick.

London’s Culture• Rise of William Shakespeare!

– Poet, playwright, most famous author of the time

– Wrote about human nature: many believed he revealed the souls of men & women

– Extremely afraid of catching the Black Death, which was rampant in England during this time!

• **Can you say…germaphobe?????

Theater in England• 1576: James Burbage builds the

first permanent theatre– Most were moveable and not “fixed”!

• 1599: Globe Theatre is built by sons of James Burbage– The Globe is where all/most of

Shakespeare’s plays were performed!

The Globe Theatre

a contemporary sketch:

Recently built Globe Theatre

now:

Facts on the Theatre• Shows were only performed in the day

time– Why??? No lights…duh!

• The audience sat along the outside of the central courtyard– This courtyard was illuminated by the sun

—so everyone was exposed to the elements

• Three Areas: platform, curtained alcove above the platform, & the balconies

More Facts on the Theatre

• There wasn’t any scenery– Actors were ALL male and relied on

costumes & props dramatic effect

• Audience participation was encouraged– Yelling & interacting with the actors was

part of the show– Poorer citizens (groundlings) sat/stood in

front of the stage down below– Wealthier citizens sat in the balconies