SH+P6+2014-15+The+King’s+Men

Aim: Aidan Nash

After the death of Queen Elizabeth I, King James I became the King of England, which marked a new era for acting groups in England. He was extraordinarily fascinated with the arts and “in particular, James I loved the theatre, and was captivated by Shakespeare's acting troupe, the Chamberlain's Men” (Mabillard 1). Shakespeare and his group, who were formerly known as “Lord Chamberlain’s Men,” were very keen to the king’s enthusiasm. They had been performing all over England for several different patrons, and were already familiar with performing for both royalty and crowds of noblemen. King James I went to the group “within ten days of arriving in London, James insisted that Shakespeare's troupe come under his own patronage” (Mabillard 1). Naturally, the group accepted this offer, and even changed their names to “The King’s Men” in honour of King James I. The acting group performed all over London, many times for the king’s events he held. Through Kings James I’s patronage, The King’s Men became quite famous, even though the events of the Black Death. The king managed to keep the group alive by moving them to perform at unaffected areas. Although the group had been together for quite some time before “The King’s Men” came about, it could be seen that they were not only an acting group for the people of London, but more so for the King himself.

Mabillard, Amanda. "Shakespeare and the King's Men Acting Troupe." //Shakespeare-Online//, 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.

Alchin, Linda. “The Chamberlain’s men and the King’s Men.” //Literary Genius.// Siteseen Ltd, June 2014. Web. 5 Jan. 2014.

Audience: Alejandro Urquides

Previously The Chamberlain’s Men, The King’s Men were formed as an acting group for King James I. They performed their plays for the King and other royalty, because of James’s fascination and love for the arts, especially acting. The performances were for mainly rich and well-educated people, which was mostly royalty at the time (Mabillard 1). The king loved them so much, that even during the time of the plague, he still let them perform for royalty in places not in the infected area (Mabillard 1). During this time, acting was not seen as a reasonable profession to have. However, the King loved it so much that he gave them a home for them to live in and become well-educated. The acting group often had strong opinions about royalty, and they could not say them directly to the royalty, or they would get in trouble. So they put them in plays to tell the rich audience, which was also filled with royalty, how they felt. This could be seen as “mocking” the King, but it was just their way of expressing their opinions. The audience of the group can also be seen as their employer, as it was the royalty that watched their shows, as well as “formed” their group. This also caused them to become rich and better off than the vast majority of people in London at the time.

"Lord Chamberlain's Men". //Encyclopædia Britannica.// Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 06 Jan. 2015

Mabillard, Amanda. "Shakespeare and the King's Men Acting Troupe.” //Shakespeare-Online//, 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.

Historical: Cade Powell

The King’s Men started off as actors and playwrights who created plays for the public which had a big influence over the people at the time. They were in favor of the king as Henry brown says,” It was indeed lucky for the King's Men that James held them in such high regard”(Brown 1). Theses plays were created around the people who were in power and the social issues. With this in regard, Kings and Queens were concerned about the actors would convey to the people with their large influence. Shakespeare wrote to the favor of King James saying, ”And so stand fix'd: peace, plenty, love, truth, terror, That were the servants to this chosen infant. Shall then be his, and like a vine grow to him: Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine, His honour and the greatness of his name Shall be, and make new nations: he shall flourish”(Shakespeare King Henry VIII, Act V., Sc.iv). After the death of the queen, King James took power and insisted that Shakespeare and his troupe serve under his patronage which they accepted with grace as they changed their names to the King’s Men. This granted them a sense of immunity as they were able to continue making plays and safe from harm. One example of this is the outbreak of the plague in 1603 in england which resulted in all the theater being shut down. Not only were the King’s Men provided with safekeep from the sickness but were allowed to carry on with their work with “a mostly rich and well-educated audience”. With the kings favor, the King’s Men grew in wealth and popularity allowing them to create some of their biggest plays.

Mabillard, Amanda. "Shakespeare and the King's Men Acting Troupe.” //Shakespeare-Online//, 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.

Brown, Henry. "Shakespeare's Patrons & Other Essays." London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1912. //Shakespeare-Online//. 20 Aug. 2009. 06 Jan. 2015.

Cultural: Leonard Aros

The King’s men have benefitted culture with their plays which are now literary masterpieces. An article states, “Lord Chamberlain’s Men, also called Chamberlain’s Men, a theatrical company with which [|Shakespeare] was intimately connected for most of his professional career as a dramatist. It was the most important company of players in Elizabethan and Jacobean [|England] ” (“Lord Chamberlain’s Men” 1). This group of men involved the literary mind of Shakespeare and performed pieces that are now modern masterpieces. Shakespeare’s involvement alone makes the group makes this group impactful on society; however the fact that Shakespeare was “intimately connected for most of his professional career” in this group shows a strong correlation between this group and the literature. Since Shakespeare spent his time working in the group and the group itself performed many of the plays, the group all together has impacted society with the plays. Shakespeare’s plays have been the basis and the foundation of many works in modern times which shows its impact. Especially in tragedies, the works have been influential on other works.

"Lord Chamberlain's Men". //Encyclopædia Britannica.// Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 06 Jan. 201

Jokinen, Anniina. “The Lord Chamberlain's Men.” //Luminarium//. Luminarium: Encyclopedia Project. 06 Jan. 2015 .