C3 - A ‘Golden Age’ Flashcards
What was the ‘Great Chain of Being’?
A commonly held belief in a Elizabethan times which stated that God had the most power and was the most important, followed by the monarch, then the nobility, then the gentry, then the peasantry, then animals and plants.
What was the rise of the gentry?
Before Elizabeth’s reign, almost all money was held by the nobility. During the Elizabethan period, people could make money through trade. The gentry grew as a result and began to fill powerful positions by becoming MPs or Justices of the Peace.
What were some features of Elizabethan country homes?
- purpose - no longer defence, but to display refined taste
- usually symmetrical with open courtyards, unlike closed, secure ones that had come before
- lots of expensive glass windows showed the owner’s wealth
- medieval great hall replaced by a great chamber
- privacy - number of rooms was increased, separating servants from owners
What were some key features of Hardwick Hall?
- decorative stonework reflected fashionable Italian design
- straight chimney columns placed within internal walls, to be symmetrical and reflect classical design
- elaborate geometric plasterwork reflected the latest renaissance fashions
- great chamber for entertaining guests - included several portraits of the queen
- large glass windows with lattice frames
- portraits showed family connections. Oak wall panelling told classical stories, and kept heat in. The carved overmantel above the fireplace references the Hardwick and Cavendish families
- long gallery for entertaining guests and winter exercise. Two massive chimney pieces contain statues of Justice and Mercy
- loggia inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture
Who were some famous playwrights and actors?
- playwrights like William Shakespeare produced new works every year. These included comedies, histories and tragedies
- acting was an entirely male profession, with female roles often played by boys
- popular actors like Richard Burbage became very famous and would often return to roles many times or have parts written specifically for them
Why would rich nobles want to be the patrons of theatre troupes?
The queen was very fine of the theatre, so being the patron of a theatre troupe could help gain the queen’s favour. It also made them seem cultured and fashionable.
Why was different about theatre in medieval times compared to in Elizabethan times?
In medieval times, theatre had been seen as something for ordinary people, usually performed in the back rooms of an inn. The Elizabethan period saw the first permanent theatres being built. Both rich and poor now attended performances.
What were some features of the Globe Theatre?
- the galleries: seated, covered areas for the rich
- gentleman’s rooms: balconies on either side, seats at around 4 pence
- stage: often decorated with scenery and almost always a trapdoor for special effects like smoke; back wall was called the Frons Scenae and had a door for actors to enter and exit
- pit: where ordinary people stood to watch, often heckling the actors; completely open to the weather
- tiring room: where the actors put on their attire
- lord’s rooms: most expensive seats, sometimes used by actors during performances
- roof: over the stage, often called the ‘heavens’. Ropes and rigging were used for scene changes and dramatic entrances
What was a day at the Elizabethan theatre like?
- performances generally began at 3:00pm and continued into the evening
- the ticket price depended on where you sat (or stood)
- audience members would push and shove to get a better view and the atmosphere was very boisterous
- it was a cheap afternoon out for the poor and an opportunity for the rich to show how cultured they were
- although they occupied different parts of the theatre, the rich and poor would watch the same play
Why was the theatre so popular?
- it was affordable
- it was new and exciting
- it was a social event
- it was entertaining- plays were often historical, tragic or humorous
- it was contemporary and relevant to the time - many plays carried political messages
What were some examples of opposition to the theatre?
- some saw it as sinful
- theatres were dangerous places where there was drunkenness, crime and other immoral behaviour
- there were concerns that large gatherings might spread disease
- puritans saw theatregoing as a distraction from prayer
Elizabethan accomplishments in the ‘Golden Age’ - art
- portraits - including detailed miniature ones - became very popular and often contained symbolism
- decorative silverware and textiles became important signs of wealth and culture in the homes of the rich
Elizabethan accomplishments in the ‘Golden Age’ - exploration
- Europeans discovered new lands and new peoples
- England became a major power in the world
Elizabethan accomplishments in the ‘Golden Age’ - theatre
- theatre became popular with all levels of society
- the first permanent theatres were built
Elizabethan accomplishments in the ‘Golden Age’ - buildings
- many great stately homes, such as Hardwick Hall, were built during this period
- for the first time, houses were not built with defence in mind
