Renaissance Theater Preeminent period of English drama Preeminent period of English drama Drama originated from Drama originated from Early types of plays Early types of plays or plays – based on Bible or plays – based on Bible – taught people how to live – taught people how to live – a variety of one-act plays – a variety of one-act plays Comedy was introduced during Renaissance Comedy was introduced during Renaissance

Renaissance Drama Two groups of dramatists Two groups of dramatists University graduates – known as high comedy – witty and sophisticated University graduates – known as high comedy – witty and sophisticated Robert Greene Robert Greene John Lyly John Lyly Those who were not formally educated – wrote a “lower comedy” – farcical in nature Those who were not formally educated – wrote a “lower comedy” – farcical in nature Shakespeare Shakespeare Ben Jonson Ben Jonson – ends happily like a comedy, but characters endure life-threatening circumstances like a tragedy – developed by John Fletcher – ends happily like a comedy, but characters endure life-threatening circumstances like a tragedy – developed by John Fletcher

Shakespeare Father was a mayor Father was a mayor 1582 – married Anne Hathaway 1582 – married Anne Hathaway had 3 children had 3 children 1592 – became an actor and playwright 1592 – became an actor and playwright actors were not considered respectable actors were not considered respectable Theaters were constant target of officials Theaters were constant target of officials felt employees wasted their time at theaters felt employees wasted their time at theaters felt that disease was too easily spread felt that disease was too easily spread 1594 – joined theater group known as 1594 – joined theater group known as 1603 – became known as 1603 – became known as their patron was their patron was Acted and wrote for this group until he retired in 1612 Acted and wrote for this group until he retired in 1612 In all, wrote plays in 20 years – averaged 2-4 plays per year In all, wrote plays in 20 years – averaged 2-4 plays per year known most for his comedies, histories, and tragedies known most for his comedies, histories, and tragedies Characters are universal – true to life Characters are universal – true to life

The Globe plays were not published after performances – didn’t want to give other theater groups material plays were not published after performances – didn’t want to give other theater groups material makes it difficult to account for dates and accurate manuscripts makes it difficult to account for dates and accurate manuscripts performed in the Globe theater – performed in the Globe theater – In 1576 James Burbage built a theater in the suburbs of London – “the Theater” was the first public theater. In 1576 James Burbage built a theater in the suburbs of London – “the Theater” was the first public theater. Others were then built outside the city limits to avoid license requirements and closings imposed by London officials. Others were then built outside the city limits to avoid license requirements and closings imposed by London officials. land was leased – owner raised rent land was leased – owner raised rent in 1599 decided to tear it down, take pieces to another property and rebuild it just south of the Thames River in 1599 decided to tear it down, take pieces to another property and rebuild it just south of the Thames River then became known as the Globe then became known as the Globe held crowds of people held crowds of people

The Globe Three parts of the Globe: Three parts of the Globe: The – 3 stories high – surrounded the inner yard The – 3 stories high – surrounded the inner yard The – stuck out in the yard with spectators on 3 sides – no curtains or artificial lighting The – stuck out in the yard with spectators on 3 sides – no curtains or artificial lighting The – 2 story back wall for the stage – also, a gallery above for musicians, certain scenes, etc. The – 2 story back wall for the stage – also, a gallery above for musicians, certain scenes, etc. The curtains at the back of the stage helped distinguish indoors from outside props. The curtains at the back of the stage helped distinguish indoors from outside props. Audience could sit on 3 sides of the stage – very close to stage Audience could sit on 3 sides of the stage – very close to stage Limited the amount of sets they could use Limited the amount of sets they could use audience relied on imagination audience relied on imagination no artificial lighting/no curtain as we use it today no artificial lighting/no curtain as we use it today Atmosphere was more like a professional baseball game than Broadway today Atmosphere was more like a professional baseball game than Broadway today audience openly expressed its reactions to the play audience openly expressed its reactions to the play they ate, drank, and talked during performances they ate, drank, and talked during performances In 1613 the Globe burned down when cannons were fired and sparks landed on the thatched roof. In 1613 the Globe burned down when cannons were fired and sparks landed on the thatched roof.

Macbeth – a play in which human actions have their inevitable consequences, in which a character’s bad deeds are never forgiven or corrected. – a play in which human actions have their inevitable consequences, in which a character’s bad deeds are never forgiven or corrected. An ill-judged action will lead to a catastrophe An ill-judged action will lead to a catastrophe – usually the title character in a tragedy whose actions bring about his own downfall – usually the title character in a tragedy whose actions bring about his own downfall – the problem or character defect that causes the hero to do such destructive actions – the problem or character defect that causes the hero to do such destructive actions – a long speech in which a character who is usually alone onstage expresses his private thoughts or feelings. – a long speech in which a character who is usually alone onstage expresses his private thoughts or feelings. – private words that a character in a play speaks to the audience or another character, which are not supposed to be overheard by others onstage. – private words that a character in a play speaks to the audience or another character, which are not supposed to be overheard by others onstage.