Elizabeth Chapter 3- A 'Golden Age' Flashcards
What was the structure of Elizabethan society as defined by the Great Chain of Being?
Nobility, Gentry, Peasantry, Animals and plants
Nobility
-Most powerful & wealthy
-titles passed from father to son
-held senior positions (e.g., Privy Councillor).
Gentry
-Wealthy landowners
-held positions like Justices of the Peace
-might be richer but still ranked below nobles.
Peasantry
-Poorest members
-farm labourers
-often struggled to work
Animals & plants
-Below humans in the Great Chain
How did the gentry rise in status during Elizabeth’s reign?
-Wealth was previously held by the nobility.
-Economic stability allowed for profit from trade.
-Gentry began filling powerful roles as MPs & as Justices of the Peace.
Who was Bess of Hardwick & what is Hardwick Hall?
-Bess of Hardwick (Elizabeth Shrewsbury) built Hardwick Hall (1590-1597).
-A grand house demonstrating wealth and social status.
How did the gentry & nobility showcase their wealth through their homes?
-Purpose: No longer for defense, but to display refined taste.
-Symmetrical with open courtyards.
-Expensive glass windows indicated wealth.
-Great hall replaced by a great chamber.
-Increased number of rooms for privacy; separated servants & owners.
What architectural features reflected the tastes of the gentry during Elizabethan times?
Straight chimney columns for symmetry; reflected classical design.
Decorative stonework showing fashionable Italian design; ‘ES’ for Elizabeth Shrewsbury.
Elaborate geometric plasterwork displayed Renaissance fashions.
Great chamber for entertaining; featured portraits of the queen.
Long gallery for entertaining & winter exercise; statues of Justice & Mercy in chimney pieces.
What were key characteristics of the Elizabethan theatre scene?
-Playwrights like Shakespeare produced yearly works (comedies, histories, tragedies).
-Acting was male-only; boys played female roles.
-Popular actors like Richard Burbage would return to roles many times or even have parts written for them
-Theatre troupes named after their patrons (Lord Chamberlain’s Men- Shakespeare & Burbage); good patronage impressed the queen.
What were the main features of Elizabethan theatres?
-Galleries: Seated areas for the rich.
-Gentlemen’s rooms: Balconies with seats (~4 pence).
-Roof: Over stage, called ‘heavens’; used for dramatic effects.
-Lords’ rooms: Most expensive seats, sometimes for actors/musicians.
-Pit: Where ordinary people stood; open to weather.
-Stage: decorate with scenery/trapdoor for special effects (smoke); Frons Scenae (back wall); had door for actors to enter & exit
What was a typical day like for an audience at the Elizabethan theatre?
-Performances began around 3:00 PM & continued into the evening.
Ticket prices varied by seating location.
-Audience was boisterous; shoving for better views.
-Affordable for the poor; social event for the rich.
-Rich & poor watched the same plays despite seating differences.
Why was the theatre so popular during Elizabeth’s reign?
-affordable
-new & exciting
-social event
-entertaining; humorous/ tragic/ historical
-many plays carried political messages; seen as relevant to the time
What were some criticisms of the theatre in Elizabethan England?
-Puritans viewed it as a distraction from prayer.
-Concerns over disease spreading from large gatherings.
-Theatres seen as dangerous; associated with drunkenness & crime.
-Some deemed the theatre sinful
What critiques challenge the notion of a ‘Golden Age’ during Elizabeth’s reign?
-Blood sports (e.g., dog fighting, bear baiting) remained popular.
-Government use of torture & brutal executions.
-A small wealthy minority existed while most lived in poverty.
-Low life expectancy; ineffective medical treatment.
-Questionable scientific practices like alchemy & astrology.
-The ‘Golden Age’ concept was promoted by Elizabeth’s government through plays, festivals & pamphlets.
