2015+AP+P2+The+Globe+Theater

Aim: Tim Wils



The purpose of the Globe Theater was originally intended to be the theater in which William Shakespeare and his acting troupe, The Lord Chamberlains Men, performed for the city of London. This was because, “Shakespeare’s company built the Globe only because it could not use the special roofed facility, Blackfriars Theatre” (Gurr). This was because their lease of the land was up, and the Globe Theater became the main setting in the meantime in which Shakespeare’s plays would be performed. While, this did not last long, as they received the lease for the Blackfriars Theatre, the Lord Chamberlains Men split their time between the two theaters (Pressley). The building however was burned to the ground by the Puritans, and was only recently discovered in 1989 and reopened once again in the late 1990s. The Theater still operates as any other theater would, and is still performing shows that come through the city. However, because of Shakespeare’s fame and the amount of shows that have now been ingrained into history, the Globe Theater has become a historical landmark in the city of London. The Globe Theater was originally only intended to be another place for the Lord Chamberlains Men to perform, but went down in history as one of the most influential and important theaters in history.

Gurr, Andrew. “Globe Theatre”. //Encyclopedia Britannica //. 8 December 2014. Web. 23 March 2015.

Pressley, J.M. “Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre”. //Resource Center//. Web. 23 March 2015.

Cultural: Kara The Globe Theater wasa major reflection in cultural equality in England at the time. Although the general price of admission was very low, only one penny, there was a lot of difference that money could do for people that were able to pay a higher price. Those who were poor, although they were able to make it through the shows they were able to pay the one penny admission. But the box seats were far more expensive, and were in a lot better position, still putting the rich above the poor. Those that paid only the one penny entrance fee were unable to see a lot of the show, and couldn’t hear very well unless they were in the very front, yet those that were in the box-seats were able to get the acoustics of the performance as well as a high-up view. But the inequality did not leave only with the audience. The actors were extremely separated, “ Only actors enjoying noble protection were safe, The Lord Chamberlain's Men were safe by virtue of first being sponsored by The Lord Chamberlain of Elizabeth I”(Shakespeare's). Those actors were entirely men as well. There was no female actors in the troupes that performed at that time, Globe Theater included. All the parts were played by men, also including the women’s role. Women didn’t get introduced into acting until much later. The women were played by young men, the men were played by older men. This led to making it impossible for the women to integrate themselves into the theater culture, which was the main entertainment at the time. The culture of the Globe Theater affected the lives and higher archies all throughout England, but the culture and separations that take place all throughout England were carried far into the workings of the theater.

"Description of the Original Globe (1599)." // Cummings Study Guide //. Cummings Study Guide, 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

"Shakespeare's Globe Theatre." // Shakespeare's Globe Theatre at AbsoluteShakespeare.com //. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

Audience: Savannah



The Globe Theatre was literally designed to house audiences for various productions. The Globe Theatre was a place where Shakespeare and his acting troupe went to entertain various audiences. Typically, audiences ranged from the poor citizens of the area to Lord’s and Royalty. Audiences came and watched plays in the summertime, during the light of day since there was no artificial lighting. According to William Shakespeare Information, “The Elizabethan general public... would pay 1 penny to stand in the 'Pit' of the Globe Theater. The gentry would pay to sit in the galleries often using cushions... Rich nobles could watch the play from a chair set on the side...” (“The Old Globe” 1). Since the time of Shakespeare, the Globe Theatre has been reconstructed and houses audiences still today. According to The Shakespeare Globe Trust, the theatre “has welcomed visitors from all over the world to take part in workshops, lectures and staged readings” (“Today’s Globe” 1). From the Elizabethan Era to modern days, the Globe Theatre is a key theatre in reliving and recreating productions from one of the most famous playwrights of all time for audiences of all shape, size, and background.

"Today's Globe." //Today's Globe/ Shakespeare's Globe.// The Shakespeare Globe Trust, Web. 23 Mar. 2015.

"The Old Globe Theater History." //The OLD GLOBE THEATER History//. William Shakespeare Information, Web. 23 Mar. 2015.

Historical: Harrisen Haslem



The Globe Theater,known as the most famous Elizabethan Theater. The Globe was built by Peter Smith and his crew in 1597-1598 in London, where it sat on the South bank of the Thames river in Southwark. Today it is known as the Shakespearean Globe. The success of The Globe became so great that in 1614 the Bear Garden had gone into such a financial famine that the actor Edward Alleyn had it demolished and replaced with a new playhouse called fittingly, the Hope Theatre. Due to the fact that The Globe was the home for the majority of Shakespeare's original compositions, and the demand for material was so high from competition, alternate copies of Shakespeare's work, known as Quarto Texts, since copyright also did not exist during the time. The close ties with Shakespeare and The Globe, comes from him being an actor as well as a stakeholder of the theatre. Some of his productions that were shown in the Globe, featuring his own acting abilities, were As You Like It, Henry IV, Hamlet, and Macbeth. The most infamous production however, was Henry VIII. The theatre used staged cannon fire during its performances to announce the entrances of the actors. On June 29th, 1613 a performance of Henry VIII, the cannon went off and "ignited a fire that burned the Globe Theatre to the ground" (McDonough 1).

"On This Day: Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Burns Down." //On This Day: Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Burns Down.// Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

"The Old Globe Theater History." //The OLD GLOBE THEATER History//. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.