Week 4
What were the theatres or ‘playhouses’ of 

Shakespeare’s time like and how were plays 

staged in them?





In 1576, James Burbage built the Theatre just outside London. The Theatre was among the first playhouses in England since Roman times. Like the many other playhouses that followed, it was a multi-sided structure with a central, uncovered "yard" surrounded by three levels of covered seating and a bare, raised stage at one end of the yard. People who were watching could pay for seating at multiple price levels; those with the cheapest tickets simply stood for the length of the plays.









other theatres

Theatres and palaces

Large open playhouses like the Globe are good in the right weather, but indoor theatres can operate year-round as if there was to be bad weather the globe wouldnt get an large amount of audience members. They also offer a more intimate setting with the use of artificial light. Shakespeare's company planned for years to operate its own indoor theatre, a goal that was finally achieved in 1609 when the Burbages took over London's Black friars theatre.

Still more indoor productions often came during the period between Christmas and New Year, and at Shrovetide at one of the royal palaces, where Shakespeare's company and other leading companies gave command performances which was an high honor that was also well-paid.

Character Work

                               Moth

Moth is Don Armado’s page, a young, small, and extremely quick-witted boy who can not only hold his own with his master’s affected language, but best him at it. 

He does not take Armado overly seriously, and sometimes tries to put him in his place. Moth misses few opportunities for a joke; when he is used as a prologue by Berowne and the other lords to the Princess and her ladies, he tries to adapt the text to the actual circumstances, though this does not please the author of the text. He is not easily intimidated. Moth is Armado's feisty page. He loves teasing and criticizing his master, and reminds us of a fly buzzing around a buffalo—tiny but powerful in his capacity to irritate. (Coincidence that his name is Moth?) Perpetually irreverent, he pokes fun at everyone in the play, rustic and royal alike.

the world of Shakespeare

week 1


THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN



During the time of William Shakespeare, the majority of women had very limited rights in England. Despite the fact that England was ruled by a female monarch for over four decades, most women had little power over the direction of their lives. Most writings about the life of the family during this time in history centred around the traditional patriarchal paradigm--that of "domination and submission." Just as the kingdom was ruled by a monarch, the father and head of the household ruled over his wife and children. Women were denied formal educations, the opportunity to hold office, and also guarded against speaking out too freely in fear of being labelled as a "scold." Such women were considered a threat to the public, and were corrected with such punishments as public humiliation and abuse.

Although women did endure such limits on their political and social rights, they did have extended to them greater economic freedom. Single women were able to "inherit land, make a will, sign a contract, possess property without a male guardian. Unfortunately, such rights dissolved with marriage. History shows as well that many daughters were heirs to a father's property, if there were no male heir, despite the tradition of primogeniture. Wives as well could find themselves in charge of a large estate after the death of a husband, until an eldest son was old enough to do so.


When Elizabeth I became queen


When Elizabeth I (1533–1603) became queen there were about 2.8 million people in England. The population rose significantly during her reign, to about 4.1 million. Many people lived in the countryside, but in the sixteenth century the town population grew at a greater rate. Prior to Elizabethan times, only about 5 percent of the population lived in cities and towns, but during her reign, about 15 percent of the rapidly growing population had become urban. As businesses and industries developed, a new middle class consisting of successful merchants and craftsman arose. These businesspeople thrived in the cities and often served in the urban government. During Elizabeth's reign, as never before, it was possible for city merchants to become extremely wealthy and rise in social status.


Elizabethan clothing 

Elizabethan Women's Clothing - gowns, hats, corsets, underwear, collars, ruffs and shoes.Elizabethan Men's Clothing - doublets, breeches, underwear, collars, ruffs, hats and shoes

week 2

William Shakespeare

week 2 Born in Stratford-upon-Avon to tanner and glove maker, John Shakespeare and his wife, Mary (Arden). His actual birthday is unknown but assumed to be April the 23rd. but There is documentary proof that Shakespeare was baptised on 26th April 1564, and scholars believe that, in keeping with the traditions of the time, he would have been baptised when he was three days old, meaning Shakespeare was probably born on April 23rd. However, as Shakespeare was born under the old Julian calendar, what was April 23rd during Shakespeare’s life would actually be May 3rd according to today’s Gregorian calendar.

Shakespeare had seven siblings: Joan (b 1558, only lived 2 months); Margaret (b 1562); Gilbert (b 1566); another Joan (b 1569); Anne (b 1571); Richard (b 1574) and Edmund (b 1580). Read more about Shakespeare’s family.One of Shakespeare’s relatives on his mother’s side, William Arden, was arrested for plotting against Queen Elizabeth I, imprisoned in the Tower of London and executed.Shakespeare married his wife Anne Hathaway when he was 18. She was 26 and three months pregnant with Shakespeare’s child when they married. Their first child Susanna was born six months after the wedding.Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway had three children together – a son, Hamnet, who died in 1596, and two daughters, Susanna and Judith. His only granddaughter Elizabeth – daughter of Susanna – died childless in 1670. Shakespeare therefore has no descendants. Read more about Shakespeare’s family.

Shakespeare’s family home in Stratford was called New Place. The house stood on the corner of Chapel Street and Chapel Lane, and was apparently the second largest house in the town.