Heavens:
1. Symbolic Representation: The heavens symbolised the divine and spiritual realms, often depicting the presence of God, angels, and celestial events.
2. Deity Descents: Actors portraying deities would be lowered onto the stage from the heavens on wires or ropes, creating an awe-inspiring and magical effect for the audience.
3. Scenic Elements: The heavens could be used to display painted backdrops, representing various locations such as skies, clouds, palaces, or heavenly landscapes.
4. Sound and Music: Trumpets, music, and sound effects were sometimes played from the heavens to enhance the theatrical experience.
5. Staging Celestial Scenes: Plays involving events set in the heavens, such as mythological tales or biblical stories, could be effectively presented using this upper level of the stage.
Hell:
1. Underground and Evil Themes: The trapdoor beneath the stage provided a space to stage scenes set in hell or other underground locations.
2. Ghost and Demonic Characters: Actors portraying ghostly apparitions or demons could suddenly rise from hell, creating dramatic entrances or startling effects.
3. Disappearing Characters: Characters could vanish through the trapdoor, creating illusionary exits or disappearing acts as if they were descending into the underworld.
4. Special Effects: Hell could be used for smoke, fire, and sound effects to create an atmosphere of darkness and evil.
5. Symbolic Meaning: The trapdoor entrance from below represented a descent into the depths of hell or evil.
Both the heavens and hell areas of the Globe Theatre allowed for unique stagings and theatrical effects that enhanced the dramatic and symbolic presentations of various theatrical works, contributing to the immersive experience enjoyed by audiences during plays in Elizabethan times.