Study Of Elizabethan London Theatre

The emergence of the public theatre is an important manifestation of the social transformation of England in last half of 16 th century.The rise and prosperity of the theatre industry in London during the Elizabethan period benefited from the complex conditions formed by several interrelated factors.In terms of society,economy,mentality and other aspects,it includes the great changes of English theatre itself caused by the impact of the reformation,the rapid development of London in this period,the formation of several new social groups,and the foundation of these changing things is the tradition of England.The rising of the theatre as an industry itself represents the economic mode of that era,it can be regarded as a node of market economy or capitalism in England.However,the economic mode embodied in theatre is also the combination of Middle Ages and modern,which is a transitional economic mode.Besides,the operation mode of the theatre itself is also changing,it experienced three changes in whole Elizabethan period:from the landlord—leasing mode when the theatre was born,to the theatre owner led the operation of the whole theatre as financier in 1594,and then the mode in which the playing company and the theatre share shares created by Shakespeare and others in1599.Public theatre as a new thing also caused new conflicts of ideas and politics in England,especially among ideology,local power and central power.Puritan's opposition to the theatre is not only because of its concept itself,but also influenced by two specific political factors: conflict in time,and the struggle with Catholicism.According to the appeal of local power,the authority of London has always tended to suppress the theatre,the combination of London and Puritan in 1573 not only strengthened the opposition to the theatre,but also made London's attitude have dual meanings of ideology and local power.As the main opponent of Puritan and London,the Privy Council generally supports the theatre in order to satisfy the Queen's preference,but it will issue a ban on the theatre on some specific issues,for example,when the theatre infringes on the interests of a nobleman or there is a plague.The Privy Council's behavior is guided by its two natures at the same time: as the Queen's servant and the Council of noblemen,as the central government of the state.The conflict between the Privy Council and the authority of London on the theatre are both ideological and political confrontations.The theatre conflict reflects the changing state of ideas and political of England in the second half of the 16 th century.