Renaissance Drama

and Shakespeare

A Medieval European village

The Middle AgesStarted in churches Was very religious in nature

Gradually became less religiousUsed comedyDeus ex machina

The Origins of European Drama

Miracles and Mysteries – taught stories from the Bible and saints’ legends

Moralities – taught people how to live and dieThe Pardoner’s Tale

Interludes – one act playsAllowed playwrights to become knownCreated a foundation for Renaissance

playwrights

Four Types of Plays

Europ

e Europe

Born in Stratford on Avon.Never attended university.

Only formal education was in grammar schoolStudied Latin and Classical literature

Married Anne Hathaway when he was 18 years old.

Together had 3 children – Susanna, and twins Hamnet (boy) and Judith.

William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)

Moved to London to pursue career in the theater.Started out tending to horses of theater

patronsEventually worked his way up to writing plays

Sometimes acted in playsPatron -- The Earl of SouthamptonJoined and became a major

shareholder/principal playwright for Lord Chamberlain’s Men

King James I The King’s Men

Shakespeare…

In 1593, all of the theatres of London closed due to the plague.

The Theater is Closed…

Wrote 37 playsWas most concerned with seeing the play

performed on stageDied comfortably in Stratford as a semi-

retired gentleman Unusual for a playwright36 plays published after his death

The First Folio

Shakespeare’s Success

“The Theater” – first theater ever builtBuilt by the Earl of Leicester’s Men

“The Globe”Shakespeare’s theater

London’s Renaissance Theater

The Globe

Large circular structure, three stories highThatched roofFeatured a raised stageFit around 3,000 peopleDid not have a curtainFeatured shows only during daytimeTheater patrons were permitted to sit on the

stageGeneral admission cost 1 pennyAbove the main entrance "Totus mundus agit

histrionem" (The whole world is a playhouse).

The Globe – Quick Facts

Groundlings – stood at center of theaterStood entire 3 hour performance, rain or shine

Galleries and Upper-levelsMore expensive (2 pennies)Allowed patrons to sit

Two types of theater-goers

“The Heavens”

The Holinshed’s Chronicle – a historical text of the history of England, Scotland and Ireland

Was the inspiration for many of Shakespeare’s plays

Macbeth written in honor of King James I.

Inspiration for Macbeth