1. Acting Companies and Theaters:
- Acting companies, such as Lord Chamberlain's Men (later known as the King's Men), were formed during this time.
- Theaters like The Globe and The Curtain were built specifically for theatrical productions.
2. Popular Genres:
- History plays: Dramas based on historical events, like "Henry V" and "Richard III."
- Comedies: Works filled with humor and wit, such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
- Tragedies: Plays that explored tragic themes and featured downfall of noble characters, including "Hamlet" and "King Lear."
3. Patronage and Support:
- Wealthy patrons, including members of the royal court and noble families, provided financial support to acting companies and playwrights.
- The Lord Chamberlain (and later the King) held the authority to license acting companies and censor plays.
4. Audience and Performances:
- Theater performances were open to people of all social classes, but seating arrangements reflected social hierarchy.
- Plays were performed in the afternoon, and theatergoing was a popular social activity.
5. Theatrical Conventions:
- Shakespeare's plays often included soliloquies, asides, and witty dialogue.
- Elaborate stagecraft and special effects were used to enhance productions.
- Plays were performed with minimal props and elaborate costumes.
6. Touring and Repertoires:
- Acting companies toured extensively, performing in different towns and cities.
- Companies maintained a diverse repertoire of plays to appeal to different audiences.
7. Collaborations and Playwriting:
- Shakespeare often collaborated with fellow playwrights, such as John Fletcher.
- Plays were collectively owned by the acting companies, and actors could make alterations to the scripts.
8. Influence on Language:
- Shakespeare's plays had a profound impact on the English language.
- He is credited with introducing thousands of words and phrases to the English vocabulary.
9. Documentation:
- Printed play texts were not standard during Shakespeare's time, and many of his plays were reconstructed based on later editions and manuscripts.
Shakespeare's time in work reflected a period of flourishing theater, with his plays at the forefront of artistic and cultural expression during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.