Culture & Art In the Elizabethan Age there was a great achievement in the area of music and drama. Musical literacy was expected in the upper class of society in these days. Many Elizabethans made their own music. Laborers sang while they worked and townspeople sang or played music after meals. The favourite instruments, which were used in this time, were the lute, virginal, viola, recorder, bagpipe and the fiddle. A popular form of entertainment in the countryside was the ringing of church bells. Major towns also had official musicians, known as "Waits" who gave public concerts. Wealthy people even hired musicians to play during dinner.

Dancing was also a popular activity performed by couples as it gave a chance for interaction between married people and it varied according to social class. There was a social difference between dancing at court or in villages. The upper class preferred courtly dances like the "Brawl", the "Volte" and the "Pavane". In contrast, the ordinary people preferred the traditional "country" dances like the "Jig", the "Dump", the "Hag" and the "Trenchmore". At the common summer festivals "Morris" dancing was performed, which included the wearing of bells. Dancing in the Elizabethan Age was considered "a wholesome" recreation of the mind and also an exercise for the body.

In the Elizabethan Age the cultural achievement of the drama played a significant role. A variety of plays included action, humor, and violence and many plays were supported by musical interludes. The first performances were done in the courtyards of large inns near the court.

In 1576, the first puplic theatre was built in London. Plays were attended by all people, with the audience reflecting society from the lowest to the highest levels. The theatre was organized and handled by a few men only, who had the jobs of proprietors, actors, playwrights and workmen. Actors like Philip Henstoe and Edward Alleyn received rewards for their acting and became respectable and even slowly moved up in social standing. Brilliant plays were written by William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlow. In fact, Elizabethan Theatre - especially the GLOBE  - coincided with Shakespeare`s dramatic career. Elizabethan drama owed its strength and richness to the fusion of many elements. In addition, it may also be seen as a mirror of the whole society.

A major part of Elizabethan lifestyle were feasts and festivals. Every season of the year had special days that drew the people together to celebrate. In the spring time "Shrove Tuesday" was celebrated, one of the special days in the Lenton season. Feasts and carnivals were held and bell ringing, masking, gaming and begging were among the special activities. The greatest festival was held in Easter time. In the summer, bonfires were burnt and dances were held to celebrate Midsummer´ s Eve on June, 24th. An important civic occasion was St. John Baptist´s Festival which was held in June as well. The winter holidays began with Christmas, ran through New Year´s Eve and ended on the Twelfth Night, January 5th. Gifts, bonfires, wassails, yule logs, music and jollity were common activities during these holidays.

Elizabethans always found a way to entertain themselves. They were a creative group of people who pursued leisure activities with great passion.

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