Shakespeare's Audience

Today we normally study Shakespeare by reading a written text. However, we must remember that Shakespeare wasn’t writing for today’s audience. He was writing mainly for the mass population who attended his plays. Many of them could not read or write. Hence, it was unlikely that these ‘groundlings’ as they were known then, understood the difficult verse passages in Shakespeare’s plays. However, many researchers assumed that they continued attending the performances because they enjoyed the glamour and glitter that Shakespeare depicted in his plays through many scenes illustrating the life of the royalty or the rich. Many researchers have also hypothesized that the experience of visiting a theatre and watching a play during the Elizabethan period was quite different from our present day experiences. The audiences during Shakespeare’s time were thought to be very active and unlikely to be as quiet as modern audiences are. Rather, it is believed that they behaved like the crowds at modern day open-air rock concerts, where they were able to buy food and drinks from peddlers, exchange the news of the day, and boo and hiss the actors. In general, the audience back then could be very noisy and rowdy rather than being expected to be polite and quiet.

Apart from the commoners, Shakespeare’s audience was also made up of many other social classes. This was unique, as it was still an age where the nobility held great control over the commoners. However, the Globe Theatre became a sort of ‘democratic institution’ because it admitted anyone who paid, be they rich or poor, royalty or commoner. During Shakespeare’s time, public attitude towards the theatre also changed greatly. It was once considered disreputable and frowned on by the Puritan authorities who feared that people would be distracted from their religious teachings by the theatre. However, even Queen Elizabeth herself eventually patronised the Shakespearean theatre, hence making it a true microcosm of society.

Due to the mixture of social classes, we now see why Shakespeare’s plays are so diverse. He uses bawdy, simple and funny language that was also mixed with lengthy passages of verse that resembles poetry in order to appeal to both the commoners and nobility in the audience. Also, his plays frequently brought up the idea of religion and pagan ideas as well as different scenes of royal life or commoner life to appeal to the different social groups in his audience as well. This is definitely something filmmakers can learn from today, making their plays interesting yet accessible for all audiences!

Similarities Between the Globe Theatre and Modern Theatres

From the information and picture of the Globe theatre, we see there are some similarities and differences between the Globe Theatre and the theatres today. The 3 galleries the Globe theatre had back then is still similar to some big theatres today. Gallery seats in theatres today are also generally more expensive than those on the ground floor, so that is similar to Shakespeare’s time as well. The size and seating available is also somewhat similar to the theatres we have today! However, the theatres of the present are so much more comfortable as they are mostly well-sheltered and have seats for everyone. The circular structure is also very similar to the theatres of today as well. It probably made viewing the performance clearer for everyone regardless of which angle they were seated! Check out the picture of the modern recreation of the Globe Theatre and our very own Esplanade Theatre below! Definitely some similarities seen isn’t it?

Interior of the modern Globe Theatre, London
http://theriverreporter.wordpress.com/category/travel-study-abroad/


Interior of the Esplanade Theatre, Singapore

Features of The Globe Theatre

Drawing of the original Globe Theatre

http://4peeps.com/ivb/index.php?showtopic=17832&st=3460&p=202775&#entry202775

The theatre was made from wooden frames with exterior walls that were made from plaster. The walls were joined at angles to form a circular structure. Inside, the theatre looked like a modern opera house, with 3 galleries for seating. These galleries were also sheltered from the weather by a roof. The galleries were estimated to be able to sit about 2000 – 3000 people, who were likely to be those who were richer and could pay more to sit down. The stage was in the centre and was raised about four to six feet from the ground. A roof supported by pillars also sheltered it. In front of the stage was an open-air yard that about 1000 people could stand on. It is generally assumed that those who stood throughout a performance were the poorer folks who still wanted to catch a performance. The theatre had no curtains that opened or closed at the beginning or end of performances and at the backstage, there was likely to be a wall with two or three doors leading to the actors’ dressing rooms known as the "tiring house". Few props and backdrops were used then, as these were too heavy or difficult to move or change quickly enough. The actors playing gods, ghosts, demons and other supernatural characters could be raised onto the stage from the “underworld, which was a trap door on floor of the stage. They could also descend to earth from “the heavens” on a winch line suspended from the ceiling. Sheet metal was rippled to create the sounds of thunder while fireworks were used to represent omens, meteors, or God’s anger. Music was provided by instruments like oboes, cornets and harps. To symbolize injury or death, actors simply slapped their hands against a hidden pouch beneath their shirts to release some form of animal blood.

History of the Globe Theatre

Shakespeare's plays were performed at various locations throughout the span of his career. However, the Globe Theatre in the Southwark district of London was where his best-known works were first produced. The tragedy, “Othello”, which we are studying, is one of them. The Globe Theatre was first built in 1599. In 1613, it was burned down when the thatched roof caught fire after a canon shot to announce the arrival of King Henry VIII. It was soon reconstructed but was demolished again in 1644 by the Puritans who opposed theatre performances because they felt that society should adopt a strait-laced lifestyle. In 1666, the Great Fire of London destroyed whatever was left of the theatre.

The modern Globe Theatre in London

http://www.freefoto.com/download/31-31-5?ffid=31-31-5

Here, we see the modern recreation of the Globe Theatre in London. It was mainly rebuilt based on guesses drawn from 17th Century descriptions and drawings of a rival theatre because no accurate information on the exact size and appearance of the original theatre can be found anymore.

Genesis: In the beginning ... there was light

Hi everyone,

This post marks the start of my Literature blog in 2009, as requested by Ms Goh! Oh, before I forget, the information posted here are from the sources below:

http://www.enotes.com/william-shakespeare/shakespeares-globe-theater

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xGlobe.html - Globe

Do check them out for more details if you like what you read! Good luck to everyone for the year ahead doing Othello!