William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare =

What Else? Shakespeare wrote plays to appeal to everyone – the rich, the poor, the educated, and the uneducated Shakespeare wrote plays and poetry Many of his sonnets are about people he cared for He believed that poetry could immortalize his loved ones

Plays in Shakespeare’s Time Lasted 2 ½ hours No acts or scenes like today’s plays Scene changes were indicated by a change of actors No scenery No actresses – only actors Trap doors

Actors had to be skilled in . . . Fencing Tumbling Dancing Singing Speech Acting

The Globe Theater

The Globe Theater A round, open-air theater 20 sections with 3 galleries (balconies) each Could hold up to 3,000 people Standing room around the stage for “groundlings” A seat cost a 2-pence (about a ½ day’s wage) Rich people and poor people could both attend Plays were performed in the afternoons

The Globe Theater The stage extends out into the audience Canopied roof extends over the stage Trap door in the canopy = heaven Trap door in the floor = hell Balcony Flag on top to tell when plays were happening Cannon – starts the fire!

Virtual Tour of the Globe Theater