THE THEATRE AND THE POOR

Question 1

Who was the gentry?

Answer 1

People who had no title but had status and power based on their wealth

Question 2

How did the rise of the gentry effect England

Answer 2

More manor houses were developed and fashions began to change

Question 3

How many theatres were there in England in 1559

Answer 3

0

Question 4

What law was passed against actors in 1572 and why

Answer 4

Those actors were to be punished as vagabonds as they were immoral people who caused trouble wherever they went

Question 5

In what year was the first Theatre opened

Answer 5

1576

Question 6

Name three theatres

Answer 6

The Rose, The Swan, and The Globe

Question 7

How were Elizabethan theatres designed

Answer 7

There was an uncovered circular pit with surrounding covered galleries

Question 8

Name one famous playwright

Answer 8

William Shakespeare

Question 9

Name a famous actor

Answer 9

Richard Burbage

Question 10

Why did the rich like the theatre?

Answer 10

It was an exciting night out- entertainment was held in an area with a bad reputation

They could be entertained but could do so while being separated from the poor

Question 11

Why did the poor like the theatre

Answer 11

Because it was cheap while also being nearby as theatres tended to be built in poorer areas

Question 12

Who disliked the theatre and why?

Answer 12

Puritans they felt it encouraged immoral behaviour

Question 13

Why did Elizabeth and her government initially not support the Theatre and why did they change their minds

Answer 13

Plays could be policed to encourage and support the Queen painting her and her government in a positive light to the public

London was very overpopulated with 200,000 residents in 1600- the entertainment kept them occupied, less likely to rebel

Question 14

Which play presented both the Tudors and Elizabeth in a positive light

Answer 14

Richard III

Question 15

What was the Great Chain of Being

Answer 15

The idea that everyone has their correct place in society and that if it were to be challenged that it would evoke chaos

Question 16

What were 2 causes of poverty

Answer 16

The population rose by 43% between 1550 and 1600. Food and Jobs were scarce and hard to come by as a result only leading to more poverty

Wages stayed the same if not worsened and prices increased meaning an endless circle of poverty

Question 17

Why did poverty worsen in the 1590’s

Answer 17

There was a poor harvest in 1593-97 meaning there was less money and food and increasing wages

Question 18

Why did poverty become a greater issue in Elizabethan England

Answer 18

The Monasteries were all closed down by Henry VIII- before the Monasteries would look after the poor but with their absence that support was no longer present

Question 19

Which group of poor people were seen to deserve help

Answer 19

The impotent poor - those unable to provide for themselves because they were too young, too old or too ill.

Question 20

Which group of poor people were seen to be NOT deserving of help

Answer 20

The idle poor- vagabonds, those who were fit to work but chose not to and committed crimes.

Question 21

How did local government deal with the poor?

Answer 21

In Norwich Alms (money for the poor) was collected and work was provided them in the workhouse (a house where people worked0

Question 22

What was the Elizabethan Poor law

Answer 22

The government’s solution to the problem of poverty

Question 23

When was the poor law passed

Answer 23

1597

Question 24

How did the Elizabethan Poor Law work

Answer 24

A “poor rate was collected (a tax) and this paid for the workhouse and relief payments for the deserving poor”

Question 25

How successful was the Poor Law

Answer 25

Success – it helped preserve the social order and there were no rebellions

Less successful – Poverty continued to increase even after the Poor-law was introduced