1. Elizabethan Theatre
UNIT 2

2. Why is it named Elizabethan?
The type of theatre that took place during her rule,
She greatly loved drama.
She enjoyed Shakespeare’s work, and supported him.
QUEEN ELIZABETH I!

3. Influential People of Elizabethan Theatre
William Shakespeare
Richard (James) Burbage
English actor and theater builder
Acted in many of Shakespeare’s plays.
Build one of London’s first theaters, The Theatre.
English playwright and poet
Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and several poems.
Developed many words of the English language.
The Globe Theatre
QUESTION: How would Shakespeare be able to create new words in the English language?

4. Parts of The Globe Theatre
Pit – where groundlings, low class people that would pay a penny to watch, would stand during performances
Galleries – where the upper class audience would sit.
Orchestra – where the middle class would sit.
Main stage – the main performing space, represented Earth.
Trap door – actors would use in plays to trick other characters, represented Hell.

5. Parts of The Globe Theatre (ctd.)
Tiring house – where actors would change costume, props would be stored, and also used as scenery
Upper Stage – a second playing level for actors, used during balcony scenes.
Musicians’ Gallery – where the musicians sit to play music for the show.
The Shadow (Heavens) – the roof above the main stage with a mural of the sky and zodiac signs painted under it, represented Heaven.

6. QUESTION: What is the relationship between The Globe Theatre and today’s modern theaters? How are they similar or different?

7. The Globe Theatre does not have a complete roof
The Globe Theatre does not have a complete roof. Only the galleries and the stage are covered.
The original Globe Theatre was burnt down in This is close to what it would have been like during Shakespeare’s time.
QUESTION: In today’s world, is it important to have a replica of The Globe Theatre with actors showing Shakespeare’s plays? Why or why not?

8. Elizabethan Theatre Language
The playwright used poetic dialogue
to:
Paint a picture of the scene
Establish the time and the place of
the action
Familiarize the audience both with
the characters’ identities and their
physical appearances

9. Examples of Language Time of the action Physical appearance
QUESTION: What are some words or phrases from the Shakespearean text examples below that would support the reasons of the poetic dialogue?
Underline the words in your notes.
Time of the action
Look Hector, how the Sun begins to set;
How ugly the night comes breathing at his heels,
Even with the veil and darking of the Sun,
To close the day up, Hector’s life is done.
Troilus and Cressida
Physical appearance
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
Romeo and Juliet
Picture of the Setting
Why should I war without the walls of Troy
That find such cruel battle here within?
Troilus and Cressida

10. Elizabethan Theatre Actors
In Elizabethan time, all characters were played by men.
Actors would interact with audience members, mainly the groudlings.
Large gestures and articulation are important for Shakespearean actors today.
QUESTION: Why is it important for Shakespearean actors to have large gestures and articulation when performing?

11. Elizabethan Theatre Costumes
Elaborate/Colorful
Authentic to the time period.
Would establish a character’s social status (wealthy, poor, soldier, king, etc.)
Sometimes symbolic of a character’s morality
Examples:
White = purity
Black = evil
Red = violence, blood