8-3Costumes&Sets

Costumes and Sets Written by Claire Inda   Many costumes were used in the plays that Shakespeare wrote, though not many sets. His theater, the Globe, had a beautiful stage and structure. In the book, __William Shakespeare & the Globe__, by Aliki, “Elizabethan playhouses had no scenery and few props. The glory of the Globe was the adornment of the stage – the richly painted Heavens, columns, and stage wall, and the hangings covering the central opening. Special effects were provided by musicians and a stage cannon that shot blanks. Often the elaborate costumes were discarded cloths – gifts from noblemen to their servants, who sold them to the company.” Nice clothing must have been expensive if Shakespeare was not even able to buy them new!

Of course, in order to know what the costumes were like, you must know what the fashion of the time was. According to the book, __Tudor Costume and Fashion__ by Herbert Norris, Elizabethan dresses were gorgeous and elaborate, mirroring the prosperity and energy of the age. In this time period, bodices were worn. Under these bodices, women wore corsets. A petticoat was also worn under the skirt. Women didn’t actually wear dresses unless belonging to the upper class. The women who wore these dresses wore pleated and starched ruffs. In fact, if you were to put on a play of Shakespeare’s and wanted it to be authentic; you might as well wear clothes that a Noble would wear daily.

Much like the fashion of the day, clothing was elaborate. Any part of the costume was likely to have been decorated with braid, embroidery, pinking slashing or puffing. Men's clothing like that of women was also ostentatious. The many parts of male attire contributed to the ornate and colorful effect of the ensemble. Costumes and sets were indeed different than what we have today.