Life in Elizabethan Times Flashcards
What was the structure of Elizabethan society called?
The Great Chain of Being
How was the Great Chain of Being structured?
God
Angels
Monarchs
Nobility
Gentry
Peasantry
Animals and Plants
Why did people accept Elizabeth as a woman?
Because the Great Chain of Being meant she was divinely chosen.
Who chose monarchs and what was it called?
God, the Divine Right of Kings
Who were the gentry?
A new class of people making money from trade and land. They had no titles like nobility, but they began to become incredibly wealthy. They filled powerful ranks such as JPs and MPs
Who were the nobility?
Titled and wealthy people. Earls, Dukes, Barons.
How could the gentry and nobility show off their wealth and privilege?
Building houses. Usually:
Symmetrical with open courtyards.
Using lots of expensive glasss windows
Red brick
Many, many rooms to separate servants from owners.
How was fashion important?
The wealth of the gentry drove development of new clothing fashions. Expensive clothes showed off your wealth.
Sumptuary Laws in 1574 strictly controlled the clothes people could wear dependant on their social rank.
Name 2 important Elizabethan Playwrights
William Shakespeare and Kit/Christopher Marlowe
What was acting like?
An entirely male profession. Female roles were played by young boys. Actors could become famous such as Richard Burbage who appeared often in the same roles or had parts written specifically for them.
Who performed works?
Acting troupes such as the Lord Chamberlain’s men (Shakespear and Burbage were members) and the Queen’s Company.
How did acting troupes/companies occur?
They were named after the people who provided their funding: the PATRON. Being a patron was a good way to impress the queen, who was very fond of the theatre.
Where there theatres at the start of her reign?
No, there were no permanent theatres. Instead travelling acting groups went around from village to village.
When were the first theatres built?
The 1570s with The Theatre and The Curtain.
What physical features of Elizabethan theatres were there?
1) The galleries: seated, covered areas for the rich
2) The heavens: a roof over the stage. Ropes and rigging were used for scene changes and dramatic entrances
3) The Lords’ rooms: most expensive seats; sometimes used by actors and musicians during performances
4) Gentlemen’s rooms: balconies on either side, seats ar around 4 pence
5) The Pit/yard: where ordinary people could pay 1 pence to come and watch, standing room only, audience were called the groundlings.
6) Tiring room: where actors changed and waited back stage.
