An Era of Theatrical Perfection

“The Play's The Thing.” This quote from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet establishes the meaning of life during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I in England. Queen Elizabeth I’s reign as queen of England ran from 1558 to 1603. This era in England’s history is arguably the most productive literary period ever. From books to poems, and eventually drama and theater, this period had it all. However, the most influential aspect of this time would be the theater. The drama and theatrical presentation during the time of Queen Elizabeth I’s rule in England included different roots, writers, acting companies, playhouses, and diverse themes and styles for their plays. In this respect, this magnificent era in theater history has been appropriately named after the queen herself: Elizabethan Theater.
Elizabethan drama was very diverse in that it encompassed many forms of drama. This drama had many roots, from colleges and universities to plays and acting troupes. First, the schoo...