History of Theatre II Unit 2 Review: Elizabethan & Jacobean Theatre in England

Historical Context

• Elizabethan era (1558-1603) marked by the reign of Queen Elizabeth I witnessed a flourishing of English drama
• Followed by the Jacobean era (1603-1625) during the reign of King James I saw a continuation and evolution of theatrical traditions
• Renaissance ideals and humanism influenced the intellectual and artistic climate of the time
• Rise of the middle class and increased literacy rates contributed to the popularity of theatre
• Theatre became a significant form of entertainment for all social classes (aristocrats, merchants, and commoners)
• London emerged as the center of theatrical activity with the establishment of permanent playhouses
• Closure of theatres during outbreaks of the bubonic plague impacted the theatre industry

Key Playwrights and Their Works

• William Shakespeare, the most renowned playwright of the era, wrote 37 plays across various genres (comedies, tragedies, and histories)
  • Notable works include "Romeo and Juliet", "Hamlet", "Macbeth", and "King Lear"
  • Shakespeare's plays showcased complex characters, poetic language, and universal themes
• Christopher Marlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare, known for his blank verse and tragic heroes
  • Famous works include "Doctor Faustus" and "The Jew of Malta"
• Ben Jonson, a prolific playwright and poet, known for his satirical comedies and masques
  • Notable plays include "Volpone" and "The Alchemist"
• Thomas Middleton, a versatile playwright, wrote both comedies and tragedies
  • Works include "The Changeling" and "A Chaste Maid in Cheapside"
• John Webster, known for his dark and macabre tragedies
  • Plays include "The Duchess of Malfi" and "The White Devil"
• Collaborations and co-authorship were common practices among playwrights of the time

Theatrical Spaces and Staging

• Outdoor amphitheaters, such as the Globe Theatre, were the primary venues for performances
  • Circular or polygonal structure with a central open-air courtyard surrounded by covered galleries
  • Stage extended into the courtyard, allowing for close interaction between actors and audience
• Indoor playhouses, like the Blackfriars Theatre, catered to a more elite audience
  • Smaller, enclosed spaces with artificial lighting (candles and oil lamps)
• Minimal set design and reliance on dialogue, costumes, and props to convey location and atmosphere
• Use of trapdoors, balconies, and inner stage for special effects and multiple playing areas
• Thrust stage configuration allowed for dynamic staging and audience engagement
• Performances took place during daylight hours, typically in the early afternoon

Performance Styles and Techniques

• Actors were exclusively male, with young boys playing female roles
• Emphasis on vocal delivery, gestures, and physicality to convey emotions and characters
• Use of soliloquies and asides to reveal characters' inner thoughts and engage with the audience
• Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) was the predominant form of dramatic poetry
  • Allowed for natural speech patterns and flexibility in expression
• Clowning and comic relief provided by specialized comic actors
• Music and dance were integral elements of performances, particularly in comedies and masques
• Elaborate costumes and makeup were used to signify characters' social status and roles

Themes and Motifs

• Exploration of the human condition, including love, jealousy, ambition, and mortality
• Power dynamics and the consequences of political intrigue and corruption
• Gender roles and the portrayal of women in a patriarchal society
• Religious and moral conflicts, often reflecting the tensions between Catholicism and Protestantism
• The nature of reality, illusion, and appearance versus reality
• The cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of death
• The role of fate, destiny, and free will in shaping human lives
• The transformative power of disguise and mistaken identities

Social and Political Influences

• The Protestant Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England shaped religious themes in plays
• The monarchy's patronage and censorship influenced the content and production of plays
  • The Master of the Revels had the authority to approve or censor plays
• Social hierarchy and class distinctions were reflected in the characters and conflicts portrayed on stage
• The expansion of global trade and exploration introduced new ideas and cultures into English society
• The political climate, including the succession of monarchs and the Gunpowder Plot, influenced the themes and allegories in plays
• Playwrights often used their works to comment on and critique social and political issues of their time

Legacy and Impact

• Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre laid the foundation for the development of English drama
• Shakespeare's works have had a profound and lasting impact on literature, language, and popular culture worldwide
• The plays of the era continue to be performed, adapted, and studied extensively
• The works of Elizabethan and Jacobean playwrights have influenced subsequent generations of writers and artists
• The era's theatrical innovations, such as the use of blank verse and the development of the playhouse, have shaped modern theatre practices
• The exploration of universal themes and the depth of human emotions in the plays continue to resonate with audiences today
• The era's theatre has contributed to the English language, with many phrases and quotations entering common usage

Fun Facts and Trivia

• The Globe Theatre had a capacity of up to 3,000 spectators and had a flag system to advertise the type of play being performed (black for tragedy, white for comedy, red for history)
• Women were not allowed to perform on stage, but some women, such as Mary Frith (known as Moll Cutpurse), challenged gender norms by dressing in male attire and attending plays
• Shakespeare's plays contain over 1,700 characters, with Hamlet having the most lines (1,422)
• The phrase "break a leg" is believed to have originated in Elizabethan times, referring to the act of bowing or curtsying to the audience
• The original Globe Theatre burned down in 1613 during a performance of Shakespeare's "Henry VIII" when a cannon used for special effects ignited the thatched roof
• Queen Elizabeth I was a patron of the arts and enjoyed attending plays, often commissioning performances at court
• The role of Lady Macbeth was originally played by a boy actor, as were all female roles in Elizabethan theatre
• The famous "To be, or not to be" soliloquy from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" has been translated into over 75 languages