History of Theatre II

🎟️History of Theatre II Unit 2 – Elizabethan & Jacobean Theatre in England

Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre flourished in England from 1558 to 1625. This era saw the rise of iconic playwrights like Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson, who crafted complex characters and universal themes that still resonate today. The period's theatrical landscape was defined by outdoor amphitheaters like the Globe and indoor playhouses. All-male casts performed in a style emphasizing vocal delivery and physicality, with minimal sets and elaborate costumes to bring stories to life.

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


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.