AP+2013+P2+The+Globe+Theater

=The Globe Theater =

Aim- AJ 

When James Burbage began work on the Globe Theatre around 1576, he did so with the intention of creating one of the most successful, profitable, and professional playhouses in all of England. Due in part to the quality of plays put to an audience (which the Globe had an advantage in due to its high capacity of cheap seats) by Shakespeare and others, the Globe Theatre became a favorite among English playgoers. In turn, actors and playwrights whose contribution to the stage was made at the Globe enjoyed tremendous success. The brilliance of the Globe’s business model is cemented in the position its actors, playwrights, and even investors placed it in. “Almost at once they rose to the position of leadership in the drama, for both Shakespeare and Burbage were now at the height of their powers. It is true that in 1601 the popularity of the Children at Blackfriars, and the subsequent ‘War of the Theatres’ interfered somewhat with their success; but the interference was temporary, and from this time on until the closing of the playhouses in 1642, the supremacy of the Globe players was never really challenged” (Adams 250). By maintaining consistency in quality long after asserting their position at the top of their profession early on, the Globe was able to last through the fleeting popularity of rival theaters. Early into the 17th century, the venue was a tremendous success, packing large crowds and turning a large profit. “ The Globe was a tremendous success and enjoyed a reputation as a favorite among theatergoers. Tragedy struck in 1613, when cannon fire, shot during the king's entrance during a performance of //Henry VIII,// caught the thatched roof on fire, and the entire theater was quickly engulfed in flames” (Globe Theatre). Not even this could interfere with the Globe’s success, as the fire that had burned down the Globe within an hour was followed by the theater being rebuilt within a year. Unfortunately, not even the reputation and popularity of the Globe’s productions could survive a ban on theaters in 1642; the Globe’s walls fell for the second and final time in 1644, closing decades of the house having exceeded almost all of Burbage’s hopes and promises made in investment propositions.

Works Cited Adams, Joseph Q. //Shakespearean Playhouses: A History of English Theatres from the Beginnings to the Restoration//. Project Gutenberg, 2007. EPUB File. "Globe Theatre." //World History: The Modern Era//. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.

Audience - Ciera

Groundlings in the Modern-Day Globe

The Globe Theater, the home of many of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, saw a surprisingly diverse audience. According to Skakespeare researcher Amanda Mabillard, “Shakespeare's audience would have been composed of tanners, butchers, iron-workers, millers, seamen from the ships docked in the Thames, glovers, servants, shopkeepers, wig-makers, bakers, and countless other tradesmen and their families” (2000). The theater housed thousands of people from many different walks of life at a time. It was not only reserved for the aristocracy. Cost of entry ranged from a penny, for standing spots in front of the stage, or half a crown, for seats in covered balconies. Although great mingling occurred in this theater, in this way social divides were illustrated. The poorer viewers were known as “groundlings” and were often resented by more aristocratic attendees. Even Shakespeare noted this occurrence in Hamlet: “O, it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious  periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to  very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who  for the most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumbshows and noise” (Shakespeare). It is Prince Hamlet, a rather confused character, who puts forth this description. Regardless of Shakespeare’s perception of these individuals, the characterization of groundlings as producers of “inexplicable dumbshows and noise” reflects common upper societal opinions. Therefore, although the Globe Theater provided entertainment to those from a variety of stations, it was an effective microcosm of culture in general.

Mabillard, Amanda. Shakespeare's Audience: The Groundlings. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. 12 Feb. 2013. Web.

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. London : Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013. Web.

Historical- Ashlee Riehl

The very first building considered a true theatre was called The Theatre and was built in 1576 in London. This Theatre was built on leased land, and when the lease was up, the troop wasn’t able to pay the increased rent. They disassembled The Theatre and moved it across the River Thames, despite the land owner, Giles Allen’s, disapproval. The pieces were recreated in 1597 into what was known as the Globe (The Old Globe). The Globe theatre then hosted a number of famous Shakespeare plays over the following decade. In the year 1613, Henry VIII was being performed, and a cannon explosion was included in the script. The cannon set the thatched roof on fire and burned the theatre down. The acting company then completed a new Globe in the same space. However, the puritans shut it down and used the space later for tenements. It was not until 1989 that the interest in the theatre was rekindled. Sam Wanamaker headed the project, and the original Globe theatre was reconstructed near the original site. The new theatre opened in 1996 and Henry V was the first play, and over the opening season 210,000 people attended plays at the new Globe (Shakespeare’s).

"The Old Globe, Theater History." The OLD GLOBE THEATER History. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.

Shakespeare's Globe." Shakespeare Resource Center -. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.

Cultural- David

The Globe Theatre has had a powerful influence over British culture over the last few centuries. The unification it brought to an otherwise widely distributed and detached citizenship was immense. It served to entertain, educate, and unite the people of England throughout difficult times. In the Historical account from ABC-Clio, “The theater was also one of the only social settings that unified different classes of people” (Globe Theatre). The Globe Theater acted both as a magnification of culture but also a evolution of the culture as well. People now had the ability to see artistic expression for minimal cost. Shakespeare’s theatre not only allowed for more affluent citizens to come and experience his works, but it also allowed for the poor persons of London to view the works and become inspired. The playing company that performed at the theatre, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, designed the theatre so that there were many nuances and tricks that would enhance the play’s quality, such as trap doors. The Roman theatrical traditions were greatly enhanced by Shakespeare and his design of the theatre served to set a cultural standard of quality entertainment and artistic expression.

Of course, the cultural influence of the Globe Theatre was not always positive by today’s standards. The Theatre had the ability to reinforce traditions and cultures of the time that may have been less than desirable. Linda Alchin illustrates this cultural influence, “No women were allowed to work as actors - female roles were taken by young lads who wore women's clothes and elaborate make-up” (Alchin 1). The prejudice against woman was prevalent during that time, and it was depicted through the Globe Theatre. The Theatre was ultimately a magnifying glass that allowed the flaws of the culture to be seen more clearly, while also highlighting some of the more positive notes as well. More importantly it served to enhance the culture, inspiring others to write and act and express their artistic selves. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre was a crucial component of English culture, and one that serves as an excellent survey of the culture at that time.

Works Cited

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Globe Theatre." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Alchin, Linda. "The Globe Theatre." Globe Theatre History. N.p., 20 July 2005. Web. 12 Feb 2013.