The Elizabethan Era 

Good morrow ladies and gents.  I, Lord “Merali” am here to discuss with y’all the Elizabethan era and what thoughts have caught my attention.

The Elizabethan Theatre

The Elizabethan era was the period of time from 1558 to 1603 and was named after Queen Elizabeth who ruled England during that time.  England was doing well and there was a lot of money around at this time.  People were able to invest in the arts and in culture.  The Elizabethan theatre was constructed by James Burbage and his brother in law John Brayne. The theatres were provided to folks-men who worked in the fields and economy as a day of rest, enjoyment and entertainment. Most townsfolk who attended to the theatres were in the nobility and upper classes. The audience members would express their likes or dislikes with the plays and could throw items at actors, if the play was in need of improvement (rotten foods etc).

The Marriage System

Marriages allowed women to gain social statue, and to have children. Young women at the age of 15-17 were usually forced to marry kings or men in the upper class. Any women who wasn’t married by a certain age usually found herself working as a maid who served the wealthy upper class families. As well, these unmarried women were believed to have practiced witchcraft.

Crimes and Punishment

Punishment was quite severe during this time in order to keep law and order.  Sentences such as hanging, burning, whipping, branding, and being boiled in oil, water, or in lead ( poison) were not uncommon. Some crimes the nobility were involved in included high treason, spying, rebellion, murderers and practicing witchcraft. 

Conclusion

The most famous play-write of the Elizabethan era was William Shakespeare. Some examples that caught my interest from Shakespeare’s plays were included in the Harry Potter movies. Jk. Rowling used “double double toil and trouble” in one of the choir’s songs, which was a direct from the witches of Macbeth. As well another example out of Shakespeare’s work included the similarity of Lord Voldemort and Macbeth who both became obsessed with gaining power and becoming evil.