FREE ESSAY ON GLOBE THEATRE

GLOBE THEATRE

The Globe Theater is said to be the most important structure in Shakespeare's dramatic
career. The Chamberlain Company built the Theater in 1699. 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 (Zenger). 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 then changed their name
to The King's Men (Unknown). These people and groups became a living part of the Globe
Theater.
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, Julius Caesar (Unknown).
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
(Unknown1). The playhouses commonly drew thousands, who saw a supposedly fictitious play
often with a political undertone. 
The Globe Theater became the most popular theater amongst 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 a 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
Blackfriars, which they quickly transferred to and began making profits better than ever
(Unknown1). 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
(Unknown). 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 "Long View London."(Unknown1) Almost three centuries
later, in 1945, a plan was made called the Abercrombie Plan that included development of
South Bank and reconstruction of the Globe with a Library. Then in 1949, an interested
Sam Wanamaker came to look for some remains of the Globe and he found nothing but a mere
plaque on the wall of brewery (Unknown1). This was assumed to be the general location of
the Globe. Wanamaker invited architects to a meeting and they discussed the Globe in
1969. An architect named Theo Crosby attended and later became the head architect. The
following year Mr. Wanamaker established "The Shakespearian Globe Playhouse Trust" and
leased an .8-acre lot across from the brewery on Bankside (Zenger). In 1986 they finally
won a 125-year lease and the next year the ground breaking occurred. With all the new
information such as the illustrations and discovered foundations the figure of the Globe
came out of the gray and into focus. 
The New Globe was then being constructed but it would not be a perfect replica, because
some of the details were almost impossible to duplicate. The replication of the Globe had
the pillars on the stage for authenticity. The design is still ambiguous and altered at
points such as the "tiring house" where little detail was provided (Unknown1). The halls
and doors had to be widened to meet code. Many other features such as plumbing and
electricity were also added to this new improved Globe. After the finishing touches were
applied the Globe complex opened in August of 1994. Since the completion of the Globe,
many exhibits have been held. Finally, the dreams of many people were fulfilled and a
similar replica was completed. 
Since the original Globe Theater was constructed in 1599, numerous plays and exhibits
were performed. For Shakespeare, the original Globe Theater was the home for most of his
plays. Without the Globe, who knows where Shakespeare's plays would have been performed,
if anywhere at all. The significance of the Globe even stretches passed Shakespeare
because despite being torn down twice, there was a need to rebuild this theater. This
Globe has become a necessity in the lives of many and the memoirs that the Theater holds
will never be forgotten or taken away.