Elizabethan England

These systems of thought were important in Elizabethan England.

• Renaissance: Literally means “rebirth.” A period between 1300-1600 CE when new ideas about science, philosophy, and the arts took hold across Europe.

• Humanism: A newfound admiration of humankind, whose intelligence, worth, and beauty was celebrated.

Elizabeth I (1558-1603) was the Queen of England during much of Shakespeare’s life.

Elizabeth I(1558-1603)

• Her “Religious Settlement” made the Church of England the official church.

• She outlawed religious drama.• The English Navy defeated the Spanish

Armada in 1588 making England a supreme power.

• Her reign was largely a period of peace and prosperity for English citizens.

Shakespeare’s London

London was divided between the north and south bank of the Thames River.

The theatres were located on the less populated south bank.

Southwark, or “the liberties,” were located on the south bank.

Public Theatres

• Outdoors with an open roof • Parts of a public theatre: • Yard • Galleries• Lord’s Rooms• Tiring House

Actors & Acting• Sharing Companies: theatre troupes whose members shared expenses, profits, and responsibilities for production. • Householders: members who owned part of the building itself. • Hirelings: stagehands or actors who worked for a salary rather than a share of the profits.

• Yes, all roles were played by men and boys.

Audiences

• Represented a wide range of citizens.• Cost of admission was low. • “Groundlings” stood on the ground of the

yard.• Seats in the gallery and lord’s boxes were

more expensive.• Women were present in the audience.

Censorship

• All plays were subject to government censorship.

• The “Master of the Revels” viewed all plays before they were performed.

• Companies could not operate without a liscence.

• Playhouses could be shut down at any time.

Bear or Bull Baiting

William Shakespeare

• 1564-1616• Son of a glove maker, became greatest dramatist of English speaking world.• Was a shareholder in The Lord Chamberlain’s Men and later The King’s Men. • Wrote thirty-eight plays.• History Plays, Tragedies, Comedies.

Characteristics of Shakespeare’s Plays

• Early Point of Attack• Several Subplots• Free Use of Time & Place• A Large Number and Range of Characters• Varied Styles of Language

Much Ado About Nothing

• Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon• Benedick, a lord, companion

of Don Pedro• Claudio, a count, companion

of DP • Don John, “the Bastard

Prince,” brother of DP and main villain

• Borachio and Conrade, followers of Don John

• Leonato, governor of Messina• Hero, Leonato’s daughter• Beatrice, niece of Leonato• Antonio, and old man,

brother of Leonato• Margaret, waiting-

gentlewoman, attendant on Hero

• Ursula, waiting-gentlewoman, attendant on Hero

• Friar Francis, a priest• Dogberry, the lead night

watchman• Verges, Dogberry’s partner• A Sexton• Watchmen• Attendants and Messengers