The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theater

The Globe Theater is said to be the most important structure in Shakespeare's dramatic career. The Chamberlain Company built the Theater in 1599. The Theater was located on the Southern shore of the Thames River in London. Shakespeare, being a member of the Chamberlain Company, became a shareholder in the Theater. Along with Shakespeare, James Burbage, his two sons, and five members of the troupe owned the Globe. This group of men was called Lord Chamberlains Men after a patron of the acting company. In May of 1603, King James I came to see their plays and the troupe changed their name to The King's Men. These people and groups became a living part of the Globe Theatre.

The Globe was the most important structure to Shakespeare's drama because most of his plays were to be performed on the stage of the Globe. Those plays written by Shakespeare include: Hamlet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, King Lear, Othello, and Julius Caesar. These plays that had a huge effect on our literature had an even larger effect on the people of London. Plays were important to the residents of London because they were an efficient way of getting a message to many people and entertain them at the same time. The playhouses commonly drew thousands, who saw a supposedly fictitious play often with a political undertone.

The Globe Theater became the most popular theater among the people. In 1611 Shakespeare sold his shares to the troupe because he was ready to retire. Then on June 29, 1613, during a performance of Henry VIII, a wad of flaming debris was fired from stage cannon and landed on the thatched roof of the third floor (Zenger). The Theater only took two hours to burn completely down, except for the foundation. In a matter of a few years, this theater rose and then fell in one catastrophic event. This tragic event was expected to lead to the demise of The Kings Men, but this consequently worked in the favor of them. After this unfortunate loss to The Kings Men, they were left to pick themselves up and continue. Fortunately for them, in August of 1608 they built an indoor theater called Black friars, which they quickly transferred to and began making profits better than ever. This was because of having high priced seats in their smaller theater. This was a quick replacement for the Globe but the people missed the famous theater. This discontent led a new project that was to be undertaken.

The main reason for rebuilding the Globe was out of tradition. Construction began on the original foundation. It was rumored that King James and other noble men helped the troupe with the cost of rebuilding (Zenger). The replacement was completed in 1614 using the same basic design as the previous version. Short after the reconstruction of the Globe, Shakespeare passed away. The second Globe was built with more room for costumes and props. It also had more structural integrity so the pillars in the stage were removed.

The Globe held performances for many more years until 1642. In this year the Puritans closed down all theaters and other place that would supply entertainment to the people. In 1644, the theater was completely torn down in order to make tenements upon the premises. With time, the Globe and its design became only descriptions, in accurate drawings, and pictures. The most accurate illustrations were made in 1647 as viewed from Southwark Cathedral and they were called