Alexis Stoll                                                                                                                12/12/00

Dimensions In History

 

William Shakespeare

 

            The Elizabethan Era was a time of art, music, dance, and theater.   People were very interested in seeing and learning about all these events for pleasure and education.  During this time, there were many great playwrights.  One playwright that stood out in people’s minds was William Shakespeare.  Mr. Shakespeare was a well-known playwright but he also had other influences on people, culture, language and more.  Also at this time a new theater was introduced in the Elizabethan Era called the Globe Theater.  This particular theater came about in a very strange way and today is one of the most important theaters in the world.

            William Shakespeare was born in1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon.  He married Anne Hathaway in 1582, had a family and in 1588 he moved to London.  Mr. Shakespeare wrote about 37 plays that consisted of comedies, histories, and tragedies.  These plays had many different types of characters from all different classes in life.  For example, his characters ranged from kings, pickpockets, drunkards, generals, hired killers, shepherds, and philosophers. (World Book)   His pieces are divided into four periods.  The first period is before 1594.  The plays in this time consisted of The Comedy of Errors and The Taming of the Shrew.  These plays are the ones that are least regarded highly by scholars. (Owl-Eyes)  The next time period of MR. Shakespeare’s plays was during the period of 1594-1600.  This period of plays was known as his most famous works.  The plays that were written in this time were The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, and Julius Caesar.  The third period consisted of such plays as Hamlet and Mac Beth.  These were written between the time periods of 1600-1608.  These two plays were considered his darkest works. (Owl-Eyes)  The last period was those that were written after 1608 such as The Tempest.    Along with writing plays, Shakespeare also wrote poems and sonnets.  Because of the outbreak of the plague, the playhouses were closed; therefore, he started writing poems since plays could not be performed.  The Elizabethans considered poetry more important then plays so Shakespeare saw that as an opportunity to write more poems to win the praise that no other playwright has ever received. (World book)  The sonnets that Mr. Shakespeare wrote were mainly based on love and given to his mistresses. 

            Along with writing plays, poems, and sonnets, William Shakespeare had many different influences on different aspects of life.  Some of his works have shaped the literature of all English-speaking countries as well as Germany and Russia.  For instance, he has influenced the language of what people speak today.  Many of the words and phrases he had used in his works are part of everyday speech. (World book)  In addition of having an influence on language, Mr. Shakespeare has had an impact on culture.  For example, his ideas of his plays such as heroism, romantic love, and the nature of tragedy have shaped the attitudes of millions of people.  Further more, his portrayals of historical figures and events have influenced the thinking of many from different countries.   William Shakespeare has influenced historians as well.  As mentioned before, Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan Era, which to historians is a peak in English culture.  Also, historians believe that Mr. Shakespeare works have impacted the theaters of the Western world.

            Once Mr. Shakespeare moved to London, he was thought to have joined one of the theater companies in the city.  These companies had a permanent cast of actors who would perform a variety of plays from week to week.  These companies were commercial organizations therefore they depended on the admission prices for their income.    Shakespeare was known to be a sharer of the company that went by the name as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.  This company was one of the most popular acting companies in London at this time.  Also, he became the leading member of this particular group for the rest of his career.  In addition, William Shakespeare wrote on an average two plays a year for the company.  At least six of his plays were produced by 1594 with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. (World Book)

            During this time, many of the theaters were closed because of the plague.  This for many put them out of business because if the playhouses were closed plays did not have to be written.  The closing of the theaters did not have a good reaction from the playwrights of that time, especially Mr. Shakespeare and his company.  They were outraged because all they wanted to do was to put on plays for the people.  The courts of the queen saw no reason to reopen the playhouses while the plague was in the air.  The closing of the theaters in London brought about the existence of the Globe Theater.

            The Globe Theater is the most interesting and famous theater in the Elizabethan Era.  It was built in Southwark a suburb right outside London.  One of the main reasons that this theater is so famous is because William Shakespeare’s plays were written and performed there. 

            This particular came to be in an interesting way.  It all started when a man by the name of James Burbage, a famous architect during that era, had an idea to build an outdoor theater.    However, the people disapproved of his idea because they were afraid of the disturbances the theater may cause.  After James Burbage died, his brothers took over the business.  They continued right where he left off trying finish the theater even though they did not have the permission.  As time passed, the lease of the land where the theater was being built was up and the landlord was trying to have them remove the theater.  The two Burbage brothers came up with a great idea.  Since all the theaters were being closed because of the plague they figured why not move the theater to a location where the queen and her courts have no say.  Also, if they could move the theater then plays could resume.  In 1598, the brothers pulled down the theater piece by piece, moved it across the river and rebuilt.  They called the new building the Globe Theater. (Constabile)

            Mr. Shakespeare heard of what was going on and had an idea.  Along with five other people, William Shakespeare became a sharer in the Globe Theater.  There he would write plays and have his company perform them.  This was the first in history for the peopled who owned the theater to perform in the plays.  This did; however, give the company an advantage over many other theaters.     This theater became known as Shakespeare’s Theater. (Constabile)

            The Globe Theater was one of the largest theaters in its time.  The audience that attended was mostly courtiers, merchants, lawyers, craftsmen, and idlers.  Once in the theater there were different areas for people to sit based on their class.  For example, the wealthy would sit in the galleries, and the poorer classes would stand in the yard.  There were a mixture of people who would be in the yard such as shopkeepers and their families, young apprentices, household servants, soldiers, seamen, fishwives, apple sellers, and laborers of all kinds.  One interesting aspect was that women were not allowed to go alone unless they were selling something.  Now if the audience did not like the play they would heckle and sometimes throw food at the actors.  However, if they did enjoy the play, they would sit or stand, depending where they were, and listen with great attention.   When a different play was being performed, a different flag was flown atop the theater.  (Constabile)

            The Globe Theater was a great theater during this time.  It was also very astonishing how it came about.  There was an event that shocked many.  On June 26, 1613, Shakespeare’s newest play was being performed, King Henry the VIII.  This play had an interesting cast that consisted of the King’s men and one of the Burbage brothers.  When the Burbage brother took the stage a cannon was to be fired to announce his presence.  As the explosion went off from the cannon a spark set the roof on firer and in less then an hour the theater burned to the ground.  The king’s men decided to rebuild the theater and the flowing summer the Globe Theater was reopened. (Constabile)

            William Shakespeare was one of the greatest playwrights of that time.  He was not only good at writing plays but he also excelled in other areas such as music, law, art, history and more.  Mr. Shakespeare had a great influence on many aspects of life and has influenced many people.  The Globe Theater still stands today and is still considered the greatest theater of the Elizabethan Era.  William Shakespeare was one of the most astonishing writers and his works are still read today and loved by many.

 

 

 

Bibliography

Constabile, Mike. “Shakespeare’s Globe Theater”, New York, pp.1-3.         www.cybervilliage.com/ocs/globe.htm

 

Owl-Eyes Biography and Etexts. “William Shakespeare”.  http://owleyes.org/shakes.htm

 

World Book. “William Shakespeare”. www.worldbook.com/fun/tty/html/shakespeare.htm