English II: The Globe Theatre Flashcards
How many sides did the Globe Theatre have?
20 sides
How many spectators could the Globe Theatre hold?
up to 3,000 spectators
When was the Globe Theatre built?
1599
What did Shakespeare call the Globe Theatre?
a “wooden O”
How many levels did the Globe Theatre have?
3 Levels
Signified which type of play was being performed
Flag
What colors of flags signified which types of plays?
Red- History
White- Comedy
Black- Tragedy
A canopy supported by pillars with a hut on top; shaded the actors from the sun and rain. Represented the sky and heavens and was painted with golden stars.
The “Heavens”
Three seating sections; audiences had to pay more to sit on wooded benches under a thatched roof.
Galleries
Audiences paid one penny to stand here and watch the performances; called “groundlings” and would participate in the play by throwing snacks or shouting things.
Open Yard
Actors playing ghosts or witches could rise or descend through this door built into the main stage; represented hell.
Trapdoor
This stage was used mostly for indoor scenes and had a curtain that opened or closed for scene changes.
Inner Stage
The stage where the main action of the play took place, especially outdoor scenes like battlefields, forests, or cityskapes.
Main Stage
This “chamber was used for most bedroom and balcony scenes.
Upper Stage
What role did Shakespeare play in the Globe Theatre?
Shakespeare wrote plays for the theatre, acted in them, and helped pay for its construction.
