Elizabethan theatre

The Elizabethan theatre

Medieval Theater Influnce

• Use of allegorical characters and situations.
• Scenes featuring vivid caricature and realistic comedy.
• Combination of comedy and tragedy.
• Concept of man's place in an ordered universe.
• Emphasis on changeability of fortune and influence of the stars.
• Avoidance of Aristotle's three unities of action, place, and time.

Classical Influences

• Italian commedia dell'arte performances in England.
• Influence of Niccolò Machiavelli's works depicting horrors, crimes, vices, and corruption.
• Greek theater's nationalistic celebration of English history.
• Adoption of Seneca's division of plays into five acts and use of revenge.
• Rhetoric about conflicting emotions and passions.

Characteristics of Elizabethan Drama

• Wide range of interests and vitality of language.
• Drama as the primary art form.
• Entertainment rooted in communal life.
• Audience preference for listening rather than reading.
• London as the city of entertainment.
• Theaters flourishing in Southwark.

Establishment of The Theatre

• Founded in 1576 by James Burbage.
• First permanent theater in London.
• Catered to the growing demand for theatrical performances.

Significance of The Theatre

• Attracted prominent playwrights and actors, including William Shakespeare.
• Hosted a variety of performances, including tragedies, comedies, and historical plays.
• Played a crucial role in the development and popularization of English drama.

Closure and Transformation

• Dispute over the lease of the land led to its closure in 1598.
• The materials were used to construct the Globe Theatre in 1599.
• The Theatre's legacy lives on as an important milestone in the history of theater.