1. Aristocrats and Nobility:
The upper class, including members of the royal court, the aristocracy, and the nobility, were frequent patrons of the theater. They enjoyed plays as a form of entertainment and often sponsored theatrical companies or had their own private theaters.
2. Gentry:
The gentry, which included wealthy landowners, merchants, and professionals, also attended plays regularly. They were interested in the cultural and intellectual aspects of theater and appreciated the social interactions during performances.
3. Middle-Class Citizens:
The middle class, consisting of tradesmen, artisans, and shopkeepers, made up a significant portion of the theater audience. They attended plays as a form of leisure and relaxation.
4. Students:
Students from universities and Inns of Court (legal societies) were avid theatergoers. They were particularly drawn to plays that addressed intellectual or political topics.
5. Apprentices:
Apprentices, young people who were learning a trade, often attended plays as a form of entertainment and to escape from the rigors of their work.
6. Servants and Workers:
Servants, laborers, and other working-class individuals also formed part of the audience. They were attracted to plays that offered an escape from their daily routines and provided an opportunity for socializing.
7. Women:
Women from different social classes attended plays, although their presence was regulated by social norms and expectations. Upper-class women typically accompanied their husbands or male relatives, while women from lower social classes attended in mixed-gender groups.
It's important to note that seating arrangements in Elizabethan theaters were often reflective of social status, with the upper classes occupying the more comfortable and expensive seating areas, while the lower classes stood in the "groundlings" or "yard" near the stage.