Read the article below and the notes that follow and answer the questions in the notes.
https://www.english-online.at/history/elizabethan-theatre/shakespeares-theatre.htm
[The portions in italics below are quoted from the article. There are also some additional notes added in blue. The numbered sentences are questions or tasks you should complete as an assignment
The theatre changed a lot during Shakespeare’s lifetime. The authorities didn’t like it and didn’t allow acting in the city itself. They thought it had a bad influence on people and kept them from going to church. Queen Elizabeth, on the other hand, loved acting and helped the theatre become popular.
- How do you think someone like Shakespeare could use his plays to either criticise or promote a positive image of the king or queen and their government? Do you think there might be an element of that in the story of the Tempest? Give your thoughts in no more than 50 words.
Shakespeare’s theatre was full of life. People did not sit all the time and it was not quiet during the performance. The audience could walk around, eat and drink during the play. They cheered, booed and sometimes even threw objects at the actors.
The poorer and less refined people paid a lower entrance fee to sit or stand on the ground in front of the stage and they were called the groundlings, while the gentry paid a higher fee to sit in the gallery or on stalls (benches). The groundlings would easily get bored and become unruly and raucous if a play was too serious or slow-moving so playwrights always had to find ways to bring in something to entertain or appeal to them.
2. Think of three things that could be put into a play to make it livelier and more entertaining for the groundlings.
Colourful and well-designed costumes were very important and told the people about the status of a character.
3. What do you think should be a part of Prospero’s costume to let us know what he is like?
4. Draw or describe a costume design for any two of the following characters: Ariel, Prospero, Miranda or Caliban.
There was almost no scenery / There was no stage crew as there is today /The performances took place in the afternoon because it was too dark at night.
Since there were none of the fancy technological aids available that theatres and film-makers have today how do you think the playwright could signal to the audience that the action was now taking place in a different setting or different time or how could they create “special effects” like storms or battles?
5. Think of two ways a playwright might try to solve these challenges and explain your ideas.