The Globe Theater impacted modern theater by architecture, audience participation, and the plays performed.
Quote 1:
"The plays were performed in the afternoon. Since the stage was open to the sky, there was no need for stage lighting" (Beers).
Commentary 1:
These theaters were built with no roof, so the sun was the only source of light. Some theaters today have the same open roof concept, the sun can be used as the lights for plays and other shows.
Quote 2:
"It was a large, round building, three stories high, with a large platform stage that projected from one end into a yard open to the sky" (Beers).
Commentary 2:
Many theaters in this age were built like this, Shakespeare called this "the wooden O". This impacted theaters today because many theaters still follow this structure and are built like this.
Quote 3:
"The Globe was round or polygonal on the outside and probably round on the inside. The theater may have held as many as 3,000 spectators. Its stage occupied the open-air space, with a pit in front for standing viewers" (Seidel).
Commentary 3:
The inside of the theater was probably round and had multiple levels of seating and some places to stand. Theaters most likely had to be a large space to fit 3,000 people to watch the play.
Quote 4:
"The stage of a public theater was a large platform that projected into the pit. This arrangement allowed the audience to watch from the front and sides. The performers, nearly surrounded by spectators, thus had close contact with most of their audience" (Lander).
Commentary 4:
The audience surround the stage so that everyone standing and sitting could see the play. Most theaters today are also like this, such as concerts.
Quote 5:
"Most of the Globe’s audience consisted of prosperous citizens, such as merchants, craft workers, and their wives, and members of the upper class" (Lander).
Commentary 5:
Most people in the audience were wealthy citizens because they could afford to go out and watch plays. Servant many time did not get to go because they were working while their owners were out with their wives.
Quote 6:
"Shakespeare’s plays have attracted large audiences in big, sophisticated cities and in small, rural towns" (Lander).
Commentary 6:
Shakespeare's plays were very fun to watch, many people gathered friends to go see one of is shows. Many plays and movies today are based off his amazing work. One being Romeo and Juliet.
Quote 7:
"Shakespeare's plays are performed in the open air. The Globe's stage jutted out into the audience. There were covered seats for viewers who could afford to pay. Those who could not were permitted to stand in the open and watch for a penny" ("Renaissance").
Commentary 7:
High class audience members sat in the covered seats because they could afford them. Peasant and low class was forced to stand.
Quote 8:
"Shakespeare wrote his plays to suit the abilities of particular actors and the tastes of specific audiences. The physical structure of the theaters in which his works were presented also influenced his playwriting" (Lace).
Commentary 8:
Shakespeare had to keep in mind what the actors could do and also where they could do it. It is very important to write play based on the taste of the audience so many people with go see it.
Quote 9:
"By the late 1500’s, plays were being performed in two kinds of theater buildings—later called public and private theaters. Public theaters were larger than private ones and held at least 2,500 people" (Lace).
Commentary 9:
Public theaters only had plays during the day because then had no roof, these theaters costed much less then private theaters. Private theaters were small roofed building, for high class audiences.
Quote 10:
"In Shakespeare's day, the theater was fast becoming a favorite with all classes of society. Troupes of players traveled the country and set up their stages in innyards" ("William").
Commentary 10:
Many other theaters were popular, not just the globe theater. People could just set up stages and perform anywhere. Many people made good money off of making their own theaters.
Quote 11:
"Plays were originally performed by the all male medieval trade guilds, so all women parts were played by boys" (lace).
Commentary 11:
Women had no rights in this age, so they could not perform in any plays or shows. Boys that were trained played female parts. Many times they were boys, that had not yet matured and gotten a deep voice.
Works Cited
Beers, G. Kylene, et al. “Shakespeare And His Theater.” Holt Literature & Language Arts: Mastering the California Standards: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Austin, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 2003, pp. 778-80.
“CHAPTER 11: The Renaissance Spreads.” Everyday Life: Renaissance. 82-89. US: Social Studies School Service, 2005. History Reference Center. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.
Lace, William W. Elizabethan England. Farmington Hills, Lucent Books, 2006.
Lander, Jesse M. “Shakespeare, William.” World Book Advanced. World Book, 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.
Seidel, Michael. “Globe Theatre.” World Book Advanced. World Book, 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016
“William Shakespeare.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2016): 1-4. History Reference Center. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.
Credits:
Created with images by Marcus Meissner - "Shakespeares Globe Theater" • tonynetone - "William Shakespeare" • ms.Tea - "untitled image" • Magnus D - "Shakespeare Globe" • D-Stanley - "Shakespeare`s Globe Theatre"