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Shakespeare/Skakespeare at the Globe

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Expert: Clare Washbrook - 8/14/2007


Question
why was the Global Theatre so important to Shakespeare and the Public. I know it was where many of Shakespeare's plays were played and it brought money but why else?

Answer
Amy,

It was important to Shakespeare because he built it (with others).  It was his theatre.  

There was also the fact that it was large and an imposing feature of the landscape.  At the time, theatre was not respectable and as such they were not allowed to advertise their plays at all.  So when a play was to be performed, a horn would be played from the top of the theatre and a flag would be raised (colour-coded to tell people what type of play was on) and the location of The Globe was such that this communication reached more people.  They then flooded across the river to indulge.

Architecturally it was also unique!  It has long been thought that it had a certain number of sides but recently that number has increased and it is now believed that it had so many individual sides that it would have given the illusion of being round.  No theatre design is similar.

smiles
CL Washbrook

Shakespeare

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Clare Washbrook

Expertise

I can answer questions related to the texts, sonnets or to Shakespeare's life. I can help with historical context and language difficulties. I am a secondary school English and Drama teacher in England and can therefore help current students with the texts which they are studying. DO NOT ASK ME WHERE HE GOT HIS IDEAS FROM! I know that it is a dreadful question to be posed as homework but I have recieved it dozens of times. The answer can be found in past questions.

Experience

I fell in love with Shakespeare at a young age and continue to be enthralled. I have studied Shakespeare to undergraduate level and teach Shakespeare to A-level (age 18). I have performed three of his plays. As an amateur etymologist I am familiar with many misconceptions about the meanings, intent and usage of words in the plays which other people are often unaware of. Educated to post-graduate level. Published and performance poet. Former Journalist, former Editor, occassional Private Tutor. Included in OED as the first writer to use a particular word.

Organizations
The Poetry Society

Publications
The Radio Times, Books by Dogma, "SO" Magazine, NUS publications, Other Poetry, OED, Publications by PTS others

Education/Credentials
BA (HONS) Literature (Theatre minor), MA (current accreditation)

Awards and Honors
Bronze Award - International Poetry Awards 2004

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