GlobeTheatre5

Prepared by: Chloe S**
 * WHAT IS THE GLOBE THEATRE? HOW IS IT CONNECTED TO SHAKESPEARE? WHAT IS ITS HISTORY AND LEGACY? WHAT WAS IT LIKE IN SHAKESPEARE'S TIME? WHAT IS ITS ARCHITECTURE AND HOW DID IT FUNCTION AS A THEATRE? WHAT IS IT LIKE TODAY? WHAT IS THE NEW SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE IN LONDON? WHAT IS ITS HISTORY AND ITS MISSION?

During the 1500s in England a burst of literary accomplishments arose that was never before seen in the history of the theater. In the new idea of theaters, playwrights lifted the Elizabethan Theater to new heights. Men like Shakespeare dared to write plays about real people in a variety of real situations. Through their efforts, Shakespeare produced plays that were far more sophisticated and entertaining than any plays of the past. Audiences expressed their pleasure by demanding more and more plays. On the literature network website, the section entitled “William Shakespeare” states when William Shakespeare began writing playwrights, his final production was so well done, that no other person was able to compare. With this, Shakespeare was mainly featured at one theater, The Globe. According to Peter Chrisp, author of __Eyewitness Shakespeare__, people from all over the city of London would travel to the Globe to experience the drama of Shakespeare’s plays (36).

The Globe Theater changed the course of English Theater forever. The Globe was built in 1599, by Richard and Cuthbert Burbage, and was one of the first playhouses to open in London (Peter Chrisp). From the author Aliki Brandenberg, __William Shakespeare__ __and the Globe,__ the Globe Theatre was built with the materials and timber from the first “Theatre” in 1599 when William Shakespeare and the Chamberlain's men were forced to leave because the Puritan owner, Giles Allen, refused to re-new the lease(23) Its round shape, together with the height its three tall stories, made the Globe a landmark for miles around, states John Russell Brown, author of __Shakespeare and His Theatre(18).__ The Globe was located on the South Bank of the Thames River and can hold a total capacity of about 2,000 to 3,000 people. The Globe became a necessity in the lives of many and the memoirs that the Theater holds will never be forgotten or taken away

With its marvelous architecture and fascinating history, the globe theatre was a huge part of Shakespeare’s life and has earned the right to be called the most beautiful and historic theatre ever built. The stage of the Globe was a five feet high level platform of about 43 X 28 feet size (John Russell Brown). The stage was fitted with mechanisms such as trap doors in its floor that were creatively utilized by Shakespeare in his plays. It was surrounded on three sides by the "pit" in which the general audience, known as "groundlings" or the "one penny" audience, stood to watch the performances. The fourth side of the stage had a room for the actors where costumes changes were made. Around the pit were three galleries, or balconies, one above the other that had seating for "two-penny" theatergoers. The topmost gallery was roofed with a thatch and had a small turret structure, from which a trumpeter announced the day's performances. Since no artificial lighting was available, plays were usually scheduled for the afternoons, according to Michael Dobson, author of the book __The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare,__ The Globe Theatre was a landmark in the history of Shakespeare (56).

The Globe Theatre is still remembered fondly today. In 1949, Sam Wanamaker came to London for the first time; he looked for the site of the original Globe and was disappointed not to find a more lasting memorial to Shakespeare and his theatre, according to the Shakespeare’s Globe website, the section entitled “About the Globe” In 1970 Sam founded what was to become the Shakespeare Globe Trust, and in 1987 building work began on site when the six-meter deep foundations were laid. In 1993, the construction of the Globe Theatre itself began. Shakespeare’s Globe today is dedicated to the experience and international understanding of Shakespeare in performance (About the Globe). media type="youtube" key="aE2cr-fIvBA" height="273" width="364"Check out this video about the Globe.

Works Cited:

Books:

Brandenberg, Aliki. William Shakespeare and the Globe. 1st ed. 1. USA: 1999. Print. Brown, John Russel. Shakespeare and His Theatre. 1st ed. 1. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1982. Print.

Chrisp, Peter. Shakespeare. 1st ed. New York: DK Publishing Inc., 2002. Print.

Dobson, Michael. The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare. 1st ed. 1 . Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. Print.

Videos: Shakespeare: The Globe Theatre." //Youtube//. Web. 13 Apr 2010.

Websites:

Alchin, Linda. "The Elizabethan Era." //William Shakespeare//. N.p., 1, Feb, 2007. Web. 11 Apr 2010. .

Peters, M.J. "Elizabeth I." //Elizabethan England//. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr 2010. []

Presley, J.M. "Elizabethan England." //Shakespeare Resource Cener//. N.p., 8, Jan,2010. Web. 11 Apr 2010. .