Elizabethan theatre

How did the Renaissance lead to the introduction of theatre?

It promoted arts and culture which was also supported by theatre

How did Elizabeth encourage the arts?

She was a patron of theatre, music and the arts

How did theatre change under Elizabeth?

Before the Elizabethan Era, many plays had religious significance and were performed in public, however this changed under Elizabeth as permanent groups of actors were set up under the patronage of wealthy nobles

How popular was the theatre?

Very, as Elizabeth enjoyed it, and 1 in 3 adults attended the theatre every month

Why did theatre become more popular?

There were no theatres when Mary I ruled as she was a strict Catholic so saw the theatre as ungodly (along with Puritans). A law in 1572 meant that actors had to be licensed which led to better organisation and many theatre buildings opened between 1575 and 1600

Why did Elizabeth encourage the theatre?

She wanted to improve her appearance and image as a prosperous and educated monarch, and used theatre to control the population by censoring plays to ensure that nothing against her was allowed. She was also an early patron of the arts as she supported artists, actors and musicians, and she enjoyed theatre as it provided an escape from her everyday life through entertainment (which many agreed with, since theatre was cheap enough to be enjoyed by all, including labourers who lived in terrible conditions. Elizabeth also commissioned works from artists and playwrights including Shakespeare plays (many of which connected to English history). Finally, Elizabeth also got acting companies to perform at court and on her royal progresses and supported the establishment of permanent groups such as Queen Elizabeth’s Men

Who opposed the theatre?

The Puritans believed that the theatre was the work of the devil as it spread rude and lewd ideas whilst encouraging poor moral behaviour. They also associated the theatre with the Romans who many disliked through the opposition the people faced them. The authorities passed a law which required actors to pay for licenses, and if the person didn’t have one, they would be treated as a beggar

What other popular pastimes were enjoyed by lower class society?

Inns hosted drinking, gambling, bearbaiting, cock fighting, cards, dice and racing nights to provide the poor with Entertainment to give them a brief escape from their difficult lives. Tobacco smoking also became popular by the end of Elizabeth’s reign due to improvements in exploration and trade

What other popular pastimes were enjoyed by upper class society?

The invention of the printing press and the spread of education meant that most gentlemen were part of an elitist group involved in intellectual pursuits such as reading the classics, studying music, hunting and hawking

Why were there inequalities between the upper and lower class society?

Poverty forced the poor to stay poor as there was inflation and an increase in the population, while the rich were able to afford these higher priced goods and remained rich