Monday, August 17, 2015

What was the relationship/support between Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakepeare?We are doing a huge project in school and this was one of the...

There is no evidence that Elizabeth ever went to The Globe. Southwark was a slum neighborhood, filled with brothels, playhouses, thieves, pickpockets and many activities where it may not have been proper for the Queen to be.


We know, from a letter, that Elizabeth attended Blackfriars. It may have been to "hear" a play (as the Elizabethan's described playgoing), but that is not clear. Also, this was probably before Shakespeare began writing plays for that indoor space.


Shakespeare's company was, during Elizabeth's reign, The Chamberlain's Men. The Chamberlain was responsible for all court functions, including court entertainments. The company bearing the name of his office, and for which he provided patronage, may have had preference at the court. We know they were not at court every year, but, they did perform there regularly.


Shapiro, in his book, "1599, A Year In the Life of Shakespeare," convincingly argues that a confusing epilogue in 2 Henry IV, is actually 2 epilogues accidently combined.


One was written for and delivered by Will Kemp (who played Falstaff).


The other, obviously delivered by Shakespeare himself, apologizes for an inferior play (Merry Wives? 1 Henry IV?), and "promise[s] a better," while kneeling before the Queen. Clearly he delivered this to Elizabeth, after she "heard" the play. 2 Henry IV was performed at Whitehall, during Christmas, 1598.


Fascinatingly, the one can be found in 2 Henry IV at Epilogue, lines 1-15, with Kemp's at lines 16-23.

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