Shakespeare's World and the Theatre

This primary source portfolio focuses on the evolution of the Elizabethan theatre and the challenges faced by actors and playwrights like William Shakespeare. It is an ideal introduction, or companion, to the study of Shakespeare's plays. Students will examine documents that include a royal proclamation on the licensing of performances, a costume inventory for the Admiral's Company, pages from the First Folio editions of Shakespeare's plays, and a conjectural model of an Elizabethan playhouse. These resources will help students learn how religious miracle plays evolved into public entertainment, and how difficult life could be for actors and playwrights. This portfolio offers comprehensive Reproducible Student Activities, which include vocabulary, writing, research, and creative thinking exercises, and a teacher's response key. A timeline summarizes important dates in the History of English Theatre and William Shakespeare's Life, and a recommended reading list allows for further topic exploration. 4 Illustrated Broadsheet Essays: * A History of English Theatre * The Search for a Permanent Theatre * The King's Men * Theatre in Shakespeare's Time 12 Primary Source Documents: * Proclamation against "al maner Interludes," 1559 * Pages from ''A Groatsworth of Wit bought with a Million of Repentance," 1592 * The Revells Booke, Anno: 1605 * Pages from First Folio editions, 1623 * Contract for building the Fortune Theatre, 1599 * Transcript of Document 5 together with transcript of a contract for building the Hope Theatre, 1613 * Poster: "The Development of the Theatre" * Conjectural model of an Elizabethan playhouse * Inventory of costumes owned by the Admiral's Company, about 1598 * Transcript of Document 9 together with transcript of a property list for the Admiral's Company, about 1598 * The Platt of the Secounde Parte of the Seven Deadlie Sinns, about 1591/1592 * "The Players: A Portrait Gallery"