Movement

Shakespearean acting style is generally termed today as being melodramatic. This is distinguished by emphasized and even exaggerated displays of emotions, as well as relatively stereotypical characters. Shakespearean writing is by design and definition supposed to be dramatically emphasized According to Dr. Hilda Spear the dialogue and acting style was more “Declamatory” and “ranting” than what can be seen today. Some of the best examples of his writing that indicate this point are his famous quotations, for instance this line from perhaps his most famous play “Romeo and Juliet”. “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." This partially explains the poetic verse of his plays, as it had to be rich and bold to keep the audiences attention. The actor’s movements and gestures also had to spell out the intricate details of the play that could not exist in props and scenery. In addition to creating the illusions of the props and scenes the exchange also had to paint the portrait of the time of day. This due to the fact that the performances were carried out in the open of the afternoon. The intimate positioning of the stage amongst the audience also largely effected the acting style. Some other aspects of Elizabethan Theater included the frequent spectacle of sword fighting, ballroom dancing, and walks through the courtyard. In conclusion it must be said that the acting of Shakespeare’s days was extremely too arduous and delicately Intricate to be faceted under the term “melodramatic”. In as much so it could equally be said that “Elizabethan Theater” was indeed “Shakespearean” in nature as opposed to the other way around. Perhaps the most magical part of the work of Shakespeare is that no one today can honestly imagine what it would have been like to be an audience member enthralled by one of his original performances.

Elizabethan asides were not used in the same way as we do today. Asides were not only about expressing inner thoughts and emotions but also showed an awareness of the audience that they address.

Some of the gestures seem very odd and extravagant to modern eyes, but may well have seemed perfectly natural to an Elizabethan.