U.44. Shakespeare and His Time: Most Representative Works

2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE TRANSITION FROM MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

2.1. From Morality Play to Interlude

• Drama underwent drastic transformation in 16th century

• Before that: miracle and morality plays.

• Renaissance humanism made these forms gradually erode as a central role in English theatrical life.

2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE TRANSITION FROM MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

2.1. From Morality Play to Interlude. What is the interlude?

• Morality play evolved into the Interlude

• It’s a shorter, generally more secular dramatic form focused on sociopolitical and ethical issues.

• Characters? Represented recognisable social types

• Most notable contribution: the creation of the vice character (comic but manipulative, would later influence Machiavellian characters of Elizabethan tragedy)

2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE TRANSITION FROM MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

2.2. The First Theatres. What was the effect of the Renaissance?

• As a result of the renewed interest in classical learning, works of Plautus or Seneca were studied in schools, universities, and Inns of Court.

• Before the establishment of theatres, performances were staged in venues like college halls, private residences, inn yards, WHICH PROVIDED THE FOUNDATION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF ELIZABETHAN HOUSES

2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE TRANSITION FROM MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

2.2. The First Theatres. The Theatre.

• Decisive point: 1576 with the construction of The Theatre (first purpose-built public playhouse in England)

• Later built The Curtain, The Rose, The Globe…

• End of 16th century → London was the hotspot of playhouses.

2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE TRANSITION FROM MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

2.3. The Elizabethan Playhouse. Describing the playhouse.

• Centre: open yard or pit → audience cound stand and watch the performance.

• Surrounding area→ tiers of galleries and balconies for accommodation, higher prices

• Stage → projected into the audience to create a close relationship between actors and spectatos

• The tiring house → backstage areas

2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE TRANSITION FROM MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

2.3. The Elizabethan Playhouse. In which elements did the audience rely on?

• Painted scenery was expensive, so they relied on:

  • Imagination

  • Costumes

  • The acting

  • Music

2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE TRANSITION FROM MEDIAEVAL DRAMA

2.3. The Elizabethan Playhouse. Blackfriars.

• Emergence of private theatres with

  • More expensive machinery

  • For wealthy individuals

  • Done at private houses, yards, etc.

3. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: LIFE AND TIMES

Born and family. Education. Marriage and children. Lost years

• Stratford-upon-Avon, April 1564. To father John Shakespeare (glover) and mother Mary Arden (daughter of prominent landowners)

• Possibly educated at King’s New School (Stratford)

• Married to Anne Hathaway. Three children: Susannah, Hamnet and Judith.

• The lost years. 1592, he had established himself in London as actor and playwright.

3. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: LIFE AND TIMES

Lord Chamberlain’s Men

• Before performing at The famous Globe → The Curtain, The Theatre

• Ascension of King James I between 1603

• Financial success