What was the 'Hell' in a typical Renaissance playhouse like the Globe?
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Correct answer: The space underneath the stage platform, accessible through a trapdoor
The space beneath the stage was used for the entrance of ghosts or devils and for sound effects like rumbling thunder. It complemented the 'Heavens' above to create a vertical cosmology on the stage.
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More Renaissance Drama questions
- Which playwright is associated with the masterpiece ''Tis Pity She's a Whore,' known for its shocking treatment of incest?
- In Jonson's 'Volpone,' what is the primary motivation for the title character's elaborate ruse?
- Which theatrical convention involves a character speaking their inner thoughts directly to the audience while alone on stage?
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- What was the name of the first purpose-built permanent playhouse in London, erected by James Burbage in 1576?
- Which playwright and contemporary of Shakespeare was known for his 'Comedy of Humours' and the satirical play 'The Alchemist'?