YE OLD BLOG
Hamletting you know about the Elizabethan Era
tHEATRE
Nahaal Boluriaan
Fashion was not only significant in daily life, but also in theatre, which was very important to the Elizabethans. Women were not allowed on stage until 1660, so prior to that, young men were forced to play any female roles. The English people became concerned because they believed that homosexuality could rise as a result of cross-dressing. However, this did not stop them. They mirrored the women’s dresses, makeup, and hair to resemble the characters. The clothes were uncomfortable and the makeup had poisonous toxins such as lead that caused diseases and death, but the hair was simple because wigs were common. On stage, there were minimal props because they mainly focused on the costumes to portray the personalities. Because of the Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws, status was easily indicated by the actors’ clothing, so it was significant for portraying the different roles.
The playwrights became the main artists of the era. They were very creative, so officials looked over their plays to make sure they did not have any ideas that could potentially cause religious or political dispute. Theatre was a new concept that had finally reached its peak, but everyone did not support it. Many people disagreed with some of the ideas expressed. Also, the crowding was an easy way for disease to quickly spread. Dirty beggars circulated around the amphitheatres and the packed audience created a perfect opportunity for theft.
Some of the most famous Elizabethan actors were Richard Burbage, Will Kempe, Edward Alleyn, Henry Condell, and William Shakespeare. However, this label was not something to be proud of. In contrast to actors today, the Elizabethan actors had a bad reputation. They were not trusted, treated with suspicion, and viewed as disrespectful and immoral people. Above all, William Shakespeare was the most popular actor and playwright of his time who is still highly respected. He is primarily famous for his exceptional writing and his profound understanding of humans and their complexities.
The Globe Theatre
William Shakespeare,
a very famous playwright
Actors on stage at The Globe
Shakespeare staged most of his plays at The Globe theatre, making it a well-known theatres. It had a hexagonal shape on the outside, but it was circular inside and the roof was only on the stage. It was inspired by the Roman amphitheatres, and the plays were also often compared to great Roman plays. The audience stood in the yard or sat in boxes built around the walls and some sat on the stage itself. The audience was mixed with people of all classes, so their privileges varied depending on their rank. The lower class were called “groundlings” as they sat in the open yard and they were positioned below the upper class. They lacked shelter from the rain or son and they stood on their feet for the duration of the play that often lasted for many hours. Also, those who arrived late had to stand with the groundlings. It was very crowded for those who could not afford to get seats because the good seats were given to the nobles for a higher price.
In general, theatre was the main source of entertainment and it built social life as the people gathered in the common area and interacted. The theatres were filthy, but civilians of all social ranks attended, even the higher class. The prices of the seats varied among each section, so the rich nobles gathered at the expensive area that provided a clear view of the stage and they could hear the actors well.
Considering the conditions, many people attended the theatres to watch plays for their entertainment. Many of the aspects of the Elizabethan times revolved around social rank, and fashion and theatre plainly represent that. Theatre was very important to the people, and it was viewed as a subject under the arts that builded the culture of the era.