Understanding Shakespeare in the Elizabethan Era: Was the Audience Capable?

It is a complex question, and one that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. While some aspects of Shakespeare's works have remained universally accessible, others pose challenges that even modern audiences often struggle with. Let's explore how well the average theater-goers of the Elizabethan era could understand and follow the plots and characters' motivations in Shakespeare's plays.

Accessible Elements in Shakespeare's Works

There are certainly segments of Shakespeare's writings that are easily comprehensible, even to contemporary audiences. This is particularly evident in his lighter comedies. Consider the following passage from A Midsummer Night's Dream where Helena expresses her fervent and foolish love for Demetrius:

Helenan
I am your spaniel. And Demetrius,
The more you beat me, I will fawn on you.
Use me but as your spaniel—spurn me, strike me, neglect me—
Only give me leave to follow you.
What worse place can I beg in your love—
And yet a place of high respect with me—
Than to be used as you use your dog?
(Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 188–195)

The core message of Helena's speech is straightforward: she is desperately in love with Demetrius, and she is willing to do anything for his affections. The action on stage, where she pretends to be a dog to win his heart, clearly illustrates the meaning of her words.

The Challenges of Understanding Comedies

While Shakespeare's lighter works often have accessible elements, other plays such as A Midsummer Night's Dream require additional context and creativity to fully grasp the plot and motivations. The play is rich with fantastical elements and complex interactions, making it more difficult for both contemporary and Elizabethan audiences to follow without additional knowledge.

The Complexity of Tragedies in Shakespeare's Works

Tragedies, on the other hand, present greater challenges. Consider Titus Andronicus, the play that launched Shakespeare's career. The first act is particularly daunting, introducing an overwhelming number of characters and plot points that move at a rapid pace. A modern audience might find it challenging to stay engaged, but the repetition of key elements throughout the play makes it more comprehensible over time.

The play starts with Titus sacrificing Alarbus, Tamora's son, to the Roman gods. While the audience might not recall the specific name, they would certainly understand the significance as Tamora repeatedly mentions the injustice done to her. Thus, while the first act might be tough to follow, the repeating of key themes in later acts makes it more digestible.

Repetition and Staging

The answer to the question of whether Elizabethan audiences could follow and understand Shakespeare's works lies in the effectiveness of his writing and the staging techniques of the time. Shakespeare relied heavily on repetition to reinforce key plot points and character motivations, making it easier for the audience to retain the story despite complex elements.

The stage itself played a crucial role in helping the audience understand the actions and motivations on stage. Visual and action-driven scenes often clarified the meaning of spoken text, ensuring that the audience could follow the narrative even when the language was dense or difficult to interpret.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the understanding and comprehension of Shakespeare's works by Elizabethan audiences is a nuanced issue. While some plays are more accessible, others pose significant challenges. The use of repetition, effective staging, and the cultural context of the time all contributed to the audience's ability to follow and appreciate Shakespeare's masterpieces. Further reading such as Stephen Greenblatt's Will in the World can provide valuable insights into contemporary literary criticism and the context in which Shakespeare wrote his plays.