Today, I addressed the question: Why would anyone go and see these plays? We know the language is hard, many of the plays are long, and the conditions of the time didn't make viewing, at least for the groundlings comfortable. Yet, those who ran public playhouses not only managed to eke out a living, but some, such as Shakespeare, became financially comfortable. The theatre had to offer up entertainment not easily available in other forms of entertainment. Unlike the other vices, one was not participating in any debauchery, simply viewing it. The puns were funny, the insinuations were often titillating, and the characters were, while not of the same "rank" as most of the audience, at least capable of the frailties the average viewer also was dealt. In other words, plays were escapism from the everyday, yet still appealed to the emotions and realities of everyman/woman.
If you were not here, I have not been able to find a reading that is appropriate for this lecture. As such, if you missed it, you missed it. Too bad, as it provided the context. If you want to discuss it with me, come in and I will go over it with you. This is NOT a unit to miss as it is hard to catch up. Also, this is the ONLY lecture you will miss and not have additional work to complete.
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