Bartholomew Fair

Definition

Bartholomew Fair was a significant annual event in London, originally established in the 12th century, known for its lively atmosphere and diverse offerings of entertainment, goods, and social interaction. This fair reflected the cultural and social dynamics of Shakespeare's time, showcasing the blend of commercial activity and festive spirit that influenced the playwright's works and the theatrical landscape of the era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bartholomew Fair was held every August, starting on the eve of St. Bartholomew's Day, and lasted for several days, attracting visitors from all over London and beyond.
2. The fair featured a wide range of entertainment including puppet shows, bear-baiting, and performances by various actors and comedians, reflecting the popular culture of the time.
3. It was a space for social mingling across different classes, allowing people from various backgrounds to interact in a shared environment filled with sights and sounds.
4. Shakespeare's contemporaries, such as Ben Jonson, wrote works that directly referenced Bartholomew Fair, indicating its importance in the cultural milieu of early modern England.
5. The fair played a role in shaping public attitudes towards commerce, entertainment, and morality, often being seen as both a celebration and a critique of societal norms.

Review Questions

• How did Bartholomew Fair influence the theatrical practices of Shakespeare's contemporaries?
  • Bartholomew Fair served as a vibrant backdrop for theatrical practices during Shakespeare's time. The fair featured various forms of entertainment that showcased the era's fascination with spectacle and public performance. Playwrights like Ben Jonson utilized the lively atmosphere of the fair to create works that both entertained and critiqued society, influencing how theater evolved in terms of content and style.
• Discuss the significance of Bartholomew Fair as a site for social interaction among different classes during Shakespeare's era.
  • Bartholomew Fair was significant as it provided a unique venue for social interaction among diverse classes in London. The fair attracted people from various backgrounds—merchants, nobility, commoners—allowing them to mingle freely in an atmosphere that temporarily blurred social hierarchies. This interaction contributed to a shared cultural experience and reflected changing attitudes toward class structures during this period.
• Evaluate the role of Bartholomew Fair in shaping public perception about commerce and morality in early modern England.
  • Bartholomew Fair played a crucial role in shaping public perception about commerce and morality by serving as both a festive celebration and a site for moral commentary. While it promoted economic activity through trade and entertainment, it also exposed the excesses and moral ambiguities associated with such commercial ventures. This duality highlighted tensions between profit-seeking behavior and ethical considerations within society, prompting discussions about values that resonated in literary works from that period.

Related terms

Theatricality: The quality of being theatrical or exaggerated, often seen in performances that draw heavily on spectacle and dramatic elements.

Public Sphere: A space where individuals come together to discuss and engage in societal issues, often through performance, literature, and public gatherings.

Carnivalesque: A literary and cultural concept reflecting a spirit of festivity characterized by the temporary suspension of social hierarchies and norms, often found in carnival celebrations.