3.+The+Globe+Theater

 **The Globe Theater**  In 1599, the Globe Theater was built on the south side of the Thames river. The Globe was opened, with seating for approximately 3,000 spectators. The Globe was a very interesting theater, as it was a circular building with no roof. Without lights, the open roof provided lighting during the day.

 ** The stage was forty-three feet long and projected forward into the audience. While modern stages are positioned in front of the audience, with the audience facing forward to view the stage, the Globe's stage was positioned in a manner that allowed actors to stand nearly among the audience. The audience essentially stood in a pit directly below and to the side of the stage. Trap doors were built into the stage, providing actors the opportunity to sneak on and off the stage. **

 With the creation of the Globe, ** Shakespeare was commissioned to perform for Queen Elizabeth I. His plays were given command performance by the queen. ** It is believed that Queen Elizabeth asked Shakespeare to write The Merry Wives of Windsor and many other plays.

 ** His progression as a writer and performer for aristocrats continued with King James of Scotland, successor to Elizabeth. The Bubonic Plague, or the Black Plague, had a horrible effect on England. The plague spread quickly and killed thousands in the Elizabethan era, from London to the countryside. With the plague rampant all through England, the death tolls were terrible. **

 Shakespeare was said to be terrified of the plague, as he lost many family members and actors to the Bubonic plague. The theaters of London were shut down during this time and travel was extremely limited. **In a strange way, this had a positive impact on Shakespeare's career King James of Scotland was in the process of traveling to London, yet this travel was postponed for months, and he instead remained in various locations near London. During this time, Shakespeare was able to perform directly for King James and his court.** Delighted by the company's plays, King James began to fund the company. He changed the company's name to the King's Men.

 ** King James provided increased salaries, special clothes for specific events, and a patent to perform in a larger radius. Shakespeare profited greatly from this progression, and invested largely in properties in Stratford and London. **