Here is a breakdown of the different groups of people who attended the Globe Theatre during the 1600s:
1. Nobility and Gentry:
- Members of the upper class, including nobles, aristocrats, and wealthy landowners, often attended performances at the Globe. They would typically sit in the more expensive seating areas, such as the boxes or the galleries.
2. Merchants and Tradesmen:
- Well-to-do merchants, traders, and businessmen also frequented the Globe Theatre. They would often bring their families and business associates to enjoy a play.
3. Lawyers and Scholars:
- Members of the legal profession, as well as scholars and academics, were regular attendees at the Globe. They were drawn to the intellectual and literary qualities of Shakespeare's plays.
4. Apprentices and Servants:
- Many apprentices and servants from London's trades and households also attended performances at the Globe. They would often stand in the "groundlings" area, which was the cheapest and most crowded part of the theater.
5. Tourists and Visitors:
- London was a popular destination for travelers from all over Europe, and many visitors would include a trip to the Globe Theatre on their itinerary.
6. Women:
- Women of all social classes attended the Globe Theatre, although some historians believe that they may have been seated in separate areas from men.
7. Children and Students:
- Children and students were also present at the Globe, particularly for performances of plays that were considered to be more educational or moralistic.
It is important to note that, despite its popularity, the Globe Theatre was not without its detractors. Some members of the upper classes viewed it as a place of low entertainment and associated it with unruly behavior and social mixing between different social groups. Nevertheless, the Globe remained a vibrant center of cultural and theatrical life in London during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.