Elizabethan Theatre Notes - PDF

Elizabethan Theatre Lesson 1 Unit 5A: Elizabethan Theatre  Entry Prompt What do you think life was like in Elizabethan England? Write a paragraph. When we explore theatre history it’s important know some of the basics about the era Why is this era called The Elizabe...

Elizabethan Theatre Lesson 1 Unit 5A: Elizabethan Theatre  Entry Prompt What do you think life was like in Elizabethan England? Write a paragraph. When we explore theatre history it’s important know some of the basics about the era Why is this era called The Elizabethan Era? Rule of Queen Elizabeth the I, Protestant Queen who was the daughter of Henry the VIII The Elizabethan era was during the Renaissance, a historical period whose name literally means “rebirth.” The people of Elizabethan England enjoyed entertainments like the theatre but they also enjoyed things like bear and bull baiting, sporting tournaments, and gambling. Arranged marriages were common. A woman came into the marriage union with a dowry (money a father paid to the groom). Women weren’t allowed to have jobs outside the home or to act onstage.  Plague Doctor People had to deal with illnesses like the Bubonic plague. Outbreaks of illnesses (like smallpox) would cause the theatres and other public events to shut down, to try to keep the illness controlled.  Playhouses Playwrights Players Playwrights Christopher Marlowe  Christopher Marlowe Interesting Fact He was killed in a bar fight at a young age. Some thought he was a spy for the Queen until she turned on him.  Christopher Marlowe Even though Marlowe and Shakespeare wrote at the same time, Marlowe’s writing style had a big influence on Shakespeare. William Shakespeare  William Shakespeare Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets. Most famous plays include: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, King Lear  William Shakespeare He was not just a playwright; he was also an actor and co-owner of the Globe Theatre.  William Shakespeare Family Wife - Anne Hathaway Children - Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith  William Shakespeare Interesting Fact In his will, he gave his wife his “second best bed.” Ben Jonson  Ben Jonson Well educated man. It is believed that he didn’t like Shakespeare, since Shakespeare wasn’t as well educated as he was.  Ben Jonson However, Shakespeare acted in Jonson’s plays and Jonson is quoted as saying about Shakespeare: “He was not of an age, but for all time.”  Ben Jonson Interesting Fact He killed an actor in a duel and escaped execution by reciting a bible verse.  Discussion 1. What did Ben Jonson mean by his quote about Shakespeare: “He was not of an age but for all time.” Do you agree with this quote? Players Richard Burbage  Richard Burbage Worked mostly for Shakespeare. Famous roles included Macbeth, King Lear, Richard III, Othello.  Richard Burbage Was a producer as well as an actor. His father was a theatre producer and his brother was also an actor. Considered the most famous actor of the time. Edward Alleyn  Edward Alleyn Worked mostly for Marlowe. After Marlowe’s death, he worked with Shakespeare. Most famous roles: the lead roles in Tamburlaine the Great and Doctor Faustus (both plays written by Christopher Marlowe).  Edward Alleyn Also known as Ned Alleyn. Was part owner in a bear baiting venue. If Burbage was the most famous actor, Alleyn was heralded as the “greatest” one. William Kempe  William Kempe Comedic actor known for playing Shakespeare characters that include Dogberry from Much Ado About Nothing and Falstaff (from multiple plays).  William Kempe Shakespeare hated that Kempe improvised too much. Thus, he specifically wrote the role of Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a character that turns into an “ass” to chastise Kempe.  William Kempe Kempe quit Shakespeare’s company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, for what many believe was a battle about improvising.  Acting Troupes Troupes were funded by wealthy patrons  Acting Troupes Shakespeare’s first acting company was originally known as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men When he gained the favor of the then King they became The King’s Men  Acting Troupes Richard Burbage was considered the most famous actor of the era, but some historians believe that Queen Elizabethan favored Edward Alleyn.  Acting Troupes Men played all the roles. Young boys would often play the female roles  Exercise Instant Shakespeare A Midsummer Night’s Dream ○ Say: “Lord, what fools these mortals be.” ○ Do: Spin around in place and then point across the circle at someone.  Exercise Instant Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet ○ I will point to a student ○ The students on either side of the person I pointed to will turn toward the center, face each other, and kneel down. They’ll put their arms out to create “the balcony.” ○ The person in the center will lean on the balcony and say “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo.”  Exercise Instant Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet ○ I will point to a student What does this line ○ The students on either side of the person I pointed to will turn toward the center, face each mean? other, and kneel down. They’ll put their arms out to create “the balcony.” ○ The person in the center will lean on the balcony and say “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo.”  Exercise Instant Shakespeare Macbeth ○ When I say “Macbeth,” I will point to a person. ○ That person and the people on either side of them will all start to stir a giant cauldron and say “Double, double, toil, and trouble.”  Exercise Instant Shakespeare Students stand in a circle. Person who is “it” stands in the center of the circle. They call out one of the following three: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Romeo and Juliet,” or “Macbeth.” Students respond appropriately. You have only 3 seconds to react! If you make a wrong choice, you become “it.” A Midsummer Night’s Romeo and Juliet Macbeth Dream  Exit Slip Name the 3 playwrights and 3 players discussed in this session List one thing that you learned about one of the playwrights or players Elizabethan Theatre Lesson 1