8-5QueensMen

HOW DID SHAKESPEARE BEGIN A LIFE AND CAREER IN THE THEATRE? WHO ARE THE QUEEN’S MEN, AND WHAT ROLE MAY THEY HAVE PLAYED IN SHAKESPEARE’S EARLY LIFE? //Answer prepared by Bryce P.//

Very little is known about Shakespeare’s early career in London. From 1585 through 1592, his name cannot even be found in public records. This however, is probably due to him being a junior member of an acting company. (Therefore, he wouldn’t be listed as part of the cast.)

It is also unknown where Shakespeare lived during his early career in London. Since the theatrical activities were concentrated in the London districts of Shoreditch and Southwark, Shakespeare could have lived anywhere. Most likely he moved from theatre to theatre in order to make ends meet, thus his residence would have presumably shifted too. Shakespeare’s name reappears in the records of Lord Chamberlain’s Men theatre and as an actor of plays at the Theatre (Shoreditch’s theatre’s name) in 1594. Chamberlain’s Men was an acting company whose patron was Henry Carey. By the early 1600’s, Chamberlain’s Men became the leading acting company in all of England. In 1603, by royal patent of King James I, the company was renamed King’s Men. Shakespeare’s attachment to Chamberlain’s Men provided him with job stability. The level of job security must have varied though due to threats from competing theatres and occasionally plague. The first trace of Shakespeare during his London years suggests that his life was comfortable enough since he resided at St. Helen’s Parish and at Bishopsgate. Bishopsgate was a middle-class area between the theatre districts. Predating Lord Chamberlain’s Men was the acting company Queen’s Men, whose patron was none other than Queen Elizabeth. Sir Francis Walshingham was put in charge of organizing the cast and plays. The acting company’s reason for establishment wasn’t entirely for entertainment purposes. Queen Elizabeth and her advisors judged Christmas plays put on by Earls’ and Counts’ (similar to provincial nobles or governors) companies. Elizabeth believed the competition was becoming too fierce and the owners’ egos were growing. Therefore, Elizabeth created the Queen’s Men in order to try and pull the best actors away from existing companies, thus attempting to create an “all-star” play cast. The company’s status was the highest held in all of England due to powerful royal connections. The undeniable star of the Queen’s Men was John Tarlton, whom was primarily a comedian actor. The company put on unprecedented plays and drew major audiences. This is due to the fact that the company operated out of numerous theatres.

The company’s decline however, began once its star, John Tarlton, died in 1588. In addition to Tarlton’s death, other politically charged companies such as Admiral’s Men and by 1600, King’s Men, emerged as the leading companies in England. The remnants of the company joined other companies thus disintegrating the Queen’s Men and their popularity.

“All the Queen’s Men.” __Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603).__ 15 Apr. 2009 [].
 * Works Cited**

“Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.” __Welcome to the Shakespeare Houses Website.__ 15 Apr. 2009 [].

__Shakespeare’s Globe.__ [|http://shakespeare’s-globe.org/about the globe/]