The English Renaissance

The climax of Renaissance drama came during the Elizabethan Age in

England (1558-1603)

Three Elizabethan Dramatists Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) Combined an

extraordinary use of language and the excitement of melodramatic plots. Best known for Doctor Faustus

Ben Jonson (1572-1637) master of English comedy. Best known for Volpone

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) considered not only the greatest English dramatist, but perhaps the greatest dramatist of all time.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Born April 23, 1564 died April 23, 1616. Married to Anne Hathaway Three children: Susanna ; twins Judith and

Hamnet. Hamnet died at an early age. Lived in Stratford upon Avon Wrote 37 plays: Comedies, Tragedies and

Histories. Theatrical Company: Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Shakespeare’s Plays 37* Surviving plays and numerous sonnets Comedies Revenge Tragedy: the style of tragedy centered

on revenge as in Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth.

Tragicomedy combined elements of tragedy and comedy. (also known as romance)

Histories depicted important events in British history Richard III and Henry V

Theaters

Private Theaters: a small indoor theater. Blackfriars is the most prominent example.

Public Theaters: inn courtyards where traveling companies played.

The Globe was a public theatre where Shakespeare’s company performed.

The Globe Octogan shape seating around a courtyard. Cheap seats could be

purchased in the pit or courtyard area where spectators stood. (known as groundlings)

A stage built on one side. In the center of the second level was a balcony or tarras.

Painted on the ceiling above the stage was an ornate mural of the heavens.

Below the stage was known as “hell” Above the heavens was a small room (scenery hut) to house

machinery to raise and lower actors to the stage. A flag was flown from this room on performance days.

Originally built in 1576. It burned and was rebuilt on the Thames. It burned again and was not rebuilt until 1998 as an historical monument near the original location.

Style Male actors played all the parts. Characters were

believable. Some reliance on stock characters Used modern day dress for the time. “Roles” were assigned and shows rehearsed in

the morning for an afternoon or early evening performance.

Simple properties and staging. Blood symbolized with red fabric, though sometimes animal blood would be used.

Iambic pentameter

Public Opposition Puritans were a religious group who strongly

opposed theatrical performances. Theatre was considered the devils work and a distraction from the hard work required of daily life and for the work to overcome original sin.

The plague was moving across Europe. The gathering of large crowds increased the spread of germs.

Theatres closed in 1642

Shakespeare Trivia Superstitions M’Beth Will left his second best bed to his wife. Grave

Good frend for Iesvs sake forbeare,

To digg the dvst encloased heare.

Blest be ye man yt spares thes stones,

And cvrst be he yt moves my bones.

Sources Grote, David. Theater Preparation and

Performance. Revised. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman and Co., 1989.

Schanker, Harry H., and Ommanney, Katherine Anne. The Stage and The School. 8th. New York: Glenco,McGraw-Hill, 1999.

Tanner, Fran Averett. Basic Drama Projects. Logan, Iowa: Perfection Learning Coporation, 2004.