Shakespeare's Life and the Elizabethan Theater Flashcards
What city and country was Shakespeare born in?
Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom
What is the complete date of Shakespeare’s birth? MONTH, DAY, YEAR.
April 23, 1564
How old was Shakespeare when he got married?
18 years old
How old was Shakespeare’s wife when she married him and what is her full name?
Anne Hathaway was 26 years old when she got married.
How many children did Shakespeare have and what were their names?
Shakespeare had three children named Judith, Hamnet, and Susanna.
Which of his children tragically died?
Hamnet tragically died in 1596 at the age of 11.
When Shakespeare retired, he purchased a house in Stratford. What was the name of his house?
“New Place”
What is the complete date of Shakespeare’s death?
April 23, 1616
How old was Shakespeare when he died?
52 years old
What church is Shakespeare buried in?
Holy Trinity Church in Stratford
What year were Shakespeare’s plays first published–first folio?
Shakespeare’s plays were first published in 1623 which was 7 years after he died.
Shakespeare was a member of an acting company. At first, the acting company was called______; then, the acting company changed their name to_________________.
- the Lord Chamberlain’s Men
- The King’s Men
Shakespeare was part owner of which theater?
“The Globe Theater”
How many people could The Globe Theater seat?
Up to 3,000 people
What year was his theater built?
His theater was built by the autumn of 1599.
There were flags that were flown above the theater to indicate the type of play that would be performed that afternoon. What did a black flag signify as far as the type of play being performed? What did a red flag signify as far as the type of play being performed? What did a white flag signify as far as the type of play being performed?
- A black flag signified a tragedy
- A red flag signified a history play
- A white flag signified a comedy play
On what day of the week were Elizabethans NOT ABLE to attend a play performance?
Sunday
Name two items that patrons of the theater could purchase during the performance of a play.
Water and oranges
What name/title was given to patrons who STOOD to watch a play performance.
groundlings
Who were Shakesphere’s parents?
John Shakespeare and Mary Arden
When was Shakespeare’s greatest period
1599-1608
What shape was the Elizabethan theater?
Circular appearance, open-air theater.
What time did play usually run?
Plays ran from two-five in the afternoon, so that sunlight wouldn’t bother the audience and the players.
What did city fathers think of plays?
- Playgoing immoral and they prohibited advertising, so instead managers raised a flag around 2:00
What were ticket prices based off of?
Depended on the location of the seat, or lack of one.
Where could spectators sit?
- Could sit on cushions
- In the cockpit with the gentry
- Stand elbow to elbow with the mob in the back
- The most exclusive patrons sat on the stage.
What was the most popular theater snack at the Elizabethan Theater?
Hazelnuts
Who was in charge of the production?
The actors (there was no producer or director)
What did the three tiers to the stage resemble?
Earth, Heaven, Hell
What did scenery and props look like?
They were minimal
What were costumes like?
They were extra
Were women allowed to act on the public stage?
No
Who played female roles?
Prepubescent boys
How often did actors rehearse and how much time did it normally take them to learn their parts?
- Actors had minimal rehearsal time.
- About a week to learn their part
How did the Globe burn down?
A prop cannon exploded during the first-night performance of Henry VIII.
What year did the Globe burn down?
1613
