Does the structure of the Shakesperean 'Globe theatre' have any significance to why it was built?

Question

I'm doing a research on the 'Shakesperean Globe Theater' and I am wondering if the structure of the building had unique features or any features what-so-ever affecting the actor's perfomances...OR any information you can think of will help! Thanks!

Answer 1

The Globe's precise shape and size have been pieced together by scholarly inquiry over the last two centuries. The evidence suggests that it was a three-story, 100-foot wide, open-air amphitheater that could house around 3,000 spectators. The Globe is shown as a round building on a contemporary engraving of London. On this basis, some assume the building was circular, while others favor an octagonal shape. Archaeological evidence suggests the playhouse had twenty sides.

At the base of the stage, there was an area called the "yard" where people (the "groundlings") would stand to watch the performance. Around the yard were three levels of seating, which were more expensive than standing: the first two were called the Twopenny Rooms and the top level was called the Penny Gallery.

The stage of the modern Globe Theatre.A rectangular stage platform thrust out into the middle of the open-air yard. The stage measured about 43 feet in width, 27 feet in depth and was raised about 5 feet off the ground. On this stage, there was a trap door for use by performers to enter from beneath the stage; the area beneath the stage was known as the "cellarage." There was a second trap door in the back of the stage that was used for the same purpose. Often the area beneath the stage is also called "hell," since supernatural beings (such as the ghost in Hamlet) enter and exit the stage from this area.

Large columns either side of the stage supported a roof over the rear portion of the stage. This ceiling was called the "heavens," and was probably painted with images of the sky. A trap door in the heavens enabled performers to "fly" or descend using some form of rope and harness.

The back wall of the stage consisted of three doors on the first floor and a balcony on the second. The doors entered into the "tiring house" (backstage area) where the actors dressed and awaited their entrances. The balcony housed the musicians and could also be used for scenes requiring an upper space, such as the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet. In addition, it could be used as the "Lord's Room," where higher-paying audience members could pay to be seated – more to be seen than to see the play, since they would have been behind the performers.

Answer 2

the globe design was used so the sounds of the actors voices would travel to the last rows easily since they didn't have any way of amplifying sound back then. the seats were placed amphitheater style so they could hear more easily and the theater was open air so the stage would be brighter since they didn't want to risk it burning from candlelight.

Answer 3

so that plays could be performed - in the round

Answer 4

no!