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The Rise and Fall of The Globe Theatre
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The Rise and Fall of The Globe Theater
By Joshua Hamilton
Shakespeare
Shakespeare was born on April 26, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon (approximately 100 miles from London). Very little is known about his early life other than his marriage in 1582 to Anne Hathaway. They had a daughter in 1583 and twins in 1585. By 1592, Shakespeare had already completed a number of his many plays including The Comedy of Errors, The Taming of the Shrew, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. In 1594, Shakespeare bought into the theatrical company Lord Chamberlain's Men. Shakespeare would eventually become a partial owner of the company.
Performing
Performing
From 1594 through 1598, Shakespeare and his acting troupe performed at a local theater in Shoreditch, owned by James Burbage. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Love's Labour's Lost, The Merchant of Venice, and Romeo and Juliet were some of Shakespeare's well known dramas that were written during these years. However, the land lease on which the theater was built ran out in late 1598.
Construction
The company had no means of renewing the lease, and negotiations with the landlord, Giles Allen, failed to produce a positive result. Instead, the company simply deconstructed the theater, moved it across the Thames River to a location in Bankside, and reconstructed it into a bigger and better theater on a new area of land. The new theater was named The Globe Theatre and it opened its doors to the public for the first time at the end of 1599. It became a huge success.
Prosperity
Prosperity
The time between 1599 and 1613 was easily the most prosperous period of Shakespeare's career. His greatest works were produced at this time, some of which include Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello. The theater itself also contributed enormously to Shakespeare's success. It was so large it could hold up to approximately 3,000 viewers at any given time. Various types of seating in the theater meant that people of all social classes were able to attend the plays.
June 29, 1613
On June 29, 1613, a performance of Shakespeare's Henry VIII caused a tragedy at the Globe Theatre. Sparks from a stage cannon that was fired during the play ignited the thatched roof that covered the theater. The resulting fire burned the Globe Theatre to the ground. This event marked the end of the wild success Shakespeare had for 13 years.
Effects
Effects
A second Globe Theatre was build in the original's place a year after the catastrophe. While Shakespeare could have in theory continued his career as a playwright, he had instead lost interest and inspiration for his work. He retired from Lord Chamberlain's Men and died on April 23, 1616.
Aftermath
The most notable period of interest for the Globe Theatre after Shakespeare's death was from 1620 to 1642. Charles I succeeded James I in 1625, and at that time, theatre was becoming scarce due to Charles's chaotic rule. In 1622, only 4 major theatrical companies were operating in London. By 1635, that number had dropped to three, one of which was the Globe. Finally, in 1642, the English Civil War erupted, and this caused all theaters to close down completely, including the Globe Theatre. It was deconstructed in 1644.
Current State
Current State
In 1997, a new Globe Theatre was built to replicate the original as closely as possible. It was created based upon evidence found of the 1599 and 1614 versions of the historical theater. Named "Shakespeare's Globe", it opened up to the public with a production of Henry V. It is located near its original location at Bankside.
Works Cited
Citations
"The Commercial Theater in England." Arts and Humanities Through the
Eras, edited by Edward I. Bleiberg, et al., vol. 4: Renaissance Europe 1300-1600, Gale, 2005, pp. 337-345. Student Resources In Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3427400752/SUIC?u= edmo18710&sid=SUIC&xid=50cad055. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018.
"The Globe Theatre Is Constructed: 1599." Global Events: Milestone
Events Throughout History, edited by Jennifer Stock, vol. 4: Europe, Gale, 2014. Student Resources In Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/NMMNCG472191692/SUIC u=edmo18710&sid=SUIC&xid=92d2b7f2. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018.
Schoenbaum, S. "The Globe Theater." EXPLORING Shakespeare, Gale,
2003. Student Resources In Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ2115602285/SUIC?u=edmo18710&sid=SUIC&xid=7bc47802. Accessed 8 Nov. 2018.