Leisure , the theatre and pastimes

• Shakespeare wrote most of his plays during Elizabeth’s reign, in what was considered a ‘golden age’ of culture, with the theatre becoming very popular during this time
• Purpose-built theatres were encouraged and had tiered seating with prices accessible for people from all ranks of society. Many nobles protected groups of actors and became their patrons.
• Patron - A wealthy and powerful individual who protected others by giving them money or jobs
• Why did the Puritans oppose theatre?

  • they believed theatres were the work of the devil, spreading rude and lewd ideas encouraging poor moral behaviour
  • They also associated the theatre with the Romans, who had persecuted Christians.
• Why did the authorities oppose theatre?

  An extract from a law passed in 1572 stated that: “All common players … who wander about and have not a license shall be taken, adjudged and deemed rogues, vagabonds and sturdy beggars.
• By Elizabeth’s time the upper classes saw their culture as superior
• Huge inequalities existed within Tudor society
•  Whilst the theatre was universally popular there were two cultures
• What were the pastimes of the Higher society?

  The invention of the printing press and spread of education meant that gentlemen were part of an elitist culture involved in intellectual pursuits, such as reading the classics, studying music, hunting and hawking.
• What were the pastimes of the Lower society?

  • The vast majority were involved in popular cultural pursuits, which gave them a brief escape from their harsh living conditions 
  • Inns and taverns were an important part of every social ritual 
  • Drinking, gambling on bear-baiting, cockfighting, cards, dice and racing were popular 
  • Tobacco smoking was new and expensive but grew in popularity during Elizabeth’s reign 
  • Ordinary people also took part in wrestling, running races and football