THE ELIZABETHAN AGE AND SHAKESPEAREAN STAGE

1. THE ELIZABETHAN AGE AND SHAKESPEAREAN STAGE Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

2. Introduction to the Elizabethan Age • 1558-1603. • Golden Age of the history of England. • Highest point of the Renaissance in England. • Age of the Protestant Reformation. • Age of exploration and individuality. • An age of peace and balanced views of religion. • Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

3. Queen Elizabeth I • Preceded by Queen Mary I (Also called Bloody Mary for her religious persecution). • Elizabeth I succeeded to the throne when she was 25 years (1558). • Daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. • Established the Protestant Church and became the Supreme Governor – Led to the formation of the Church of England. • Her troops defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. • Provided economic and military stability and brought about the growth of Arts, Literature and Music. • Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

4. Superstitions Elizabethan Ghosts Looked as they did when they died. Only visible to the person being haunted. Came back from the dead for revenge or to finish unfinished business. • The people during the age were very superstitious. • Had many charm in their houses. • Believed a lot in astrology, the stars and the moon. Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

5. Literature • It was the age of the University Wits – George Peele, Thomas Lodge, Thomas Nashe, Robert Greene, John Lyly , Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson. • Saw the rise of the Jacobean or Revenge Tragedy by famous writers like Webster, Beaumont and Fletcher. • Poetry was based on pastoral ideals. • Famous poets like Spenser and Sidney flourished. • Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

6. Entertainment - Theatre • Theatre formed one of the major pastimes of the age. • Characterised by simple sets. • Used all male actors; women were not allowed to act. • Clothing used was very fancy and rich. • Plays were generally performed in the afternoon. • Use of flags to indicate if a play was being staged. • Both the rich and the poor enjoyed watching plays. • Influenced by the medieval theatre of mystery and morality plays. • Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

7. The Elizabethan Theatre/ Stage • Many acting companies like the King Chamberlain’s Men floourished. • The parts of women were played by young boys whose voices had yet to break. • The theatre was disapproved of by the Puritans for its contribution to immorality. • Three types of plays – Chronicle or History Plays, Romances and Tragedies. • Three types of theatre – • 1) Inn yards – Could seat around 500 people. Very affordable – since it was open, only seasonal plays. • 2) Playhouses - Private and expensive – Could seat approximately 500 – could put up plays even in winter. • 3) Open Air Amphitheatre – could seat 1500 to 2000 people – 3 stories. • Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

8. The Elizabethan Theatre/ Stage • James Burbage built the first stationary theatre called ‘The Theatre’ - Since it was open air, it became problematic to stage plays in winter. • This was corrected by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men who built ‘The Globe’ in 1599. • Theatres were generally found on the outskirts of towns rather than in central areas. • The Elizabethan theatres were colourful, but lacked scenery. • The people from lower classes could get in by paying a penny and were called ‘groundlings’ who stood in ‘the pit’ (the area around the stage). • The theatres were generally octagonal or round and had three levels of galleries. • Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

9. The Elizabethan Theatre/ Stage • The stage was also called as the ‘apron stage’ because it jutted out into the yard. • Only around 12 actors could be on stage at a time. • There was a trapdoor below stage to facilitate the entrance of ghosts. • There was a ‘tiring house’ behind the stage for actors to change their costumes. • An inner stage was also present for difficult scenes when someone had to be hidden or bodies had to be stowed. • Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

10. Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.

11. THANK YOU Ms. Rakhi L. Lalwani, Assistant Professor of English, SNMV CAS.