Introduction:
It is known all around the world that the original Globe Theatre is where William Shakespeare had held all of his plays. The architectural design of the theatre follows closely to that of Greek theatres. It's in a circular shape with an open roof. This helps the actors on stage use their own voice to project and use resonance.
But in this entry, I'd like to talk about the era in which 'Much Ado About Nothing' was made in and how it can be compared to the modern age.
Social Conventions:
During Shakespeare's time in the theatrical world, his theatre, the Globe Theatre, was one of the most successful and prospering landmarks of the time. Shakespeare had audiences from around the world to visit his works. The Theatre is only meant to fit a population of around 3,000, but as his fame grew, more people came to watch exceeding numbers of 10,000. Now that is indeed a lot of people to fit into a small theatre! Keep in mind that this number would be reached each week, so that means the theatre would have been quite crowded much more than none at the time.
"Society in Shakespeare's time consisted of a strict social order, developing religious and political systems, and quirky antecedent reminders of period perceptions. Social hierarchy dictated ones position in life throughout England. Individuals fell into one of four castes: gentlemen, citizens/burgesses, yeomen, and artificers/labourers." - Quote from: http://www.britaininprint.net/shakespeare/study_tools/overview.html
During this era, population was reaching exceeding numbers at a vast speed. Between 1550 and 1600, London alone grew from a small population of 12,000 to 200,000. Having so much people meant that entertainment become a major priority in terms of social interaction. Having this much people also meant that food became an abundance, this caused Britain to be divided into specific societies. As pointed out in the quote above, there were gentlemen, whom had a lot of money to do as they wished (this would have included royalty). Citizens/burgesses, whom had enough money to get around but not nearly as much as the gentlemen. Yeomen, whom were attendants of the gentlemen society. And finally artificers/labourers, whom would have had to work on farms and/or mines to help maintain food and materials.
To watch Shakespeare's plays was quite fair in terms of currency. It only cost 1 penny to stand in the yard (right in front/around the stage under the open roof). Of course this would have meant if rain were to occur within a performance then the audience here would get wet. 3 pennies to sit anywhere within the gallery, this area had a roof and seats when compared against the yard, where people have to stand. Then there were the gentlemen's rooms, where the more richer people would sit, and the 4th Gallery (also known as the Balcony), where the royalty of the time would have sat such as Queen Elizabeth. Shakespeare had a whole range of genres at his disposal including Comedy, Tragedy, and Historical. These plays would have had thousands of lines of dialogue, some language of which Shakespeare had made himself. Seeing as performances would have more than likely have been a weekly event, the actors on stage would have had to know all of their lines and cues within a short space of time. So indeed quite stressful!
Of course, there was also rivals of the Globe Theatre within Elizabethan London, the Globe Theatre wasn't the only place where people could go to watch plays of any kind. An example would be a theatre called the Boar's Head Inn. This theatre followed the 'amphitheatre' shape, just like the Globe, but the different and unique thing about it was that it had a stage in the shape of an octagon, unlike the Globe's stage which followed a simple square shape. Since it was technically more of an Inn, drinks were a favoured custom among audiences, meaning that this theatre was indeed a competing rival against the Globe in terms of funds gained each performance/week. But because of William Shakespeare's much more unique style and directing, his plays became much more famed and recognised and they were what mainly brought these people through these times. "His works were history, information, political statements and popular media combining all facets of the surrounding world and society to present an entertaining and profitable theatrical experience." - Quote from: http://www.britaininprint.net/shakespeare/study_tools/overview.html
Women were treated quite harshly in the Elizabethan Era. They were not allowed to perform in any plays or any kind of performance anywhere, they couldn't go to school like the men, they had to learn everything at home via tutor, they were not allowed to enter any university, they were not allowed to be heirs to their fathers titles (this excludes the royalists), they could not become Doctors or Lawyers, they were not allowed to have the vote or have anything to do with politics, and they were not allowed to join the army and/or navy. - information from: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-women.htm
Getting married to a man was also just as unfair, they almost had no choice in anything during their lives. When getting married to a man (whether that be at age 12, since it was legal to marry at this age, or the more common aged 21 women), the wife to be had to bring a Dowry into consideration. A Dowry is a collection of all the wife's possessions such as money, household items (furniture, appliances etc.) and any sort of residence that they owned at the time. Should the Dowry meet the groom's requirements, that is when they wed. Once the two individuals are married, the man is now in control of the woman, everything that she does is by his say. This can definitely be compared to owning a slave essentially. - information from: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-marriages-and-weddings.htm
Cultural Conventions:
"Plays and open air entertainments were hugely popular with people fom all walks of life, from commoners to monarchs, both Queen Elizabeth and King James being supporters of the artform. Plays were performed along with music, dance and exotic animal fights in an increasing number of purpose built open theatres." - Quote from: http://www.britaininprint.net/shakespeare/study_tools/overview.html
The theatre industry during the Elizabethan Era would have been constantly busy, the high culture of the Elizabethan Renaissance was best exhibited through theatre. Historical topics were especially popular among commoners, not to mention the usual comedies and tragedies that Shakespeare would create from scratch.
There were also musicians from all over the world that visited England to offer their services and skills and they were in great demand at Courts, churches, country houses, and more than mostly at local festivals which would highlight the course of their careers. There was a very strong interest in folk songs and ballads, these songs were designed to tell real life stories from across the world. These musicians would have also had a role within Shakespeare's plays, possibly mainly playing during the transition of scenes.
Fine Art was also an aspiring culture within the Elizabethan Era. Although much more famous examples of Fine Art came from Italy and Eastern Europe, it was still considered a prospering talent.
There was a whole lot more culture within the Elizabethan Era. Many examples could be festivals for seasonal entertainment for all, plays from other theatres, miracle plays (stories re-enacted from the bible), fairs for tourists and population to socialize and have fun, jousts and tournaments, games and sports (card games, wrestling, bar drinking, archery, dice, and hunting animals/creatures. information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabethan_era#Popularculture
In terms of religion, "Elizabeth said "I have no desire to make windows into mens' souls". Her desire to moderate the religious persecutions of previous Tudor reigns — the persecution of Catholics under Edward VI, and of Protestants under Mary I — appears to have had a moderating effect on English society. Elizabeth reinstated the Protestant bible and English Mass, yet for a number of years refrained from persecuting Catholics." - Quote from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabethan_era#Religion
Political Conventions:
England has never really been a successful military power, especially during the Elizabethan Era. But one thing that England has always had is a brilliant and powerful navy. "On balance, it can be said that Elizabeth provided the country with a long period of general if not total peace and generally increasing prosperity due in large part to stealing from Spanish treasure ships, raiding settlements with low defenses, and selling African slaves. Having inherited a virtually bankrupt state from previous reigns, her frugal policies restored fiscal responsibility. Her fiscal restraint cleared the regime of debt by 1574, and ten years later the Crown enjoyed a surplus of £300,000." - Quote from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabethan_era#Government
England had much lower taxes than any other European countries at the time. This was why the Elizabethan Era is often than not referred to as the "Golden Age". The economy and general wealth of England was striving at a momentous level. The development of everything during this "Golden Age" was absolutely remarkable. This was a time of peace and prosperity for England, and we've never had anything like this since. That's why the Elizabethan Era is one of the greatest moments in history for England alone.
references:
http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/uploads/files/2014/01/audiences.pdf
http://www.britaininprint.net/shakespeare/study_tools/overview.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabethan_era#High_culture
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