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This seems linked to crimson’s connection to passion and love because in this era many were so committed to God, that they were willing to risk their lives for his love. The lower classes were allowed to adorn themselves with the color red, which was created with the less expensive madder dye, and was unable to capture the true brilliance of crimson.Īdditionally, crimson carries a Biblical meaning: it is thought to symbolize the presence of God and the blood of martyrs. The shade’s symbolic meaning is of fire, and because of that association with power, was not to be confused with the color red. According to sumptuary laws, crimson was reserved for “royalty, nobility, and members of the council.” Throughout history this bold color has been associated with persons of wealth, status, and power, however it rang especially true during the Elizabethan period.
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The color crimson is laced throughout the costume drama, and each time is featured on characters of high society. Gwyneth Paltrow explained that in the Elizabethan playhouse there were “plenty of fashionable blue-bloods up in audience, and you could pretty much tell their rank by the colors they wore.”
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE COSTUMES FULL
The groundlings form a sea of neutral colors, and the upper classes look like a garden of brightly colored summer flowers in full bloom.
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE COSTUMES MOVIE
In the theater scenes of “Shakespeare in Love,” the audience is separated into the groundlings who stand watching the play from the open air, and those who could pay for a seat in a sheltered area.Īs the movie highlights, clothing also makes the social (and financial) status of the two groups evident. London in 1593 was a time of dramatic contrasts, but the theater was what Joseph Fiennes calls “the great common denominator, a place where all were welcome and everyone became equal for a few hours.” Not quite equal, he adds. After researching all the portraits I could find, I decided to let my imagination run wild on Elizabeth’s costumes, resulting in the (multicolored) peacock gown.” Powell says “The Queen could wear purple, crimson, gold, silver, whatever she liked. Of course the Queen wasn’t bound to the rules of others. The sumptuary laws did much more to make plain what the lower classes couldn’t wear, rather than what they could. While this was a blatant push for separation of classes, it was also an excuse for the King to inflict harsh punishments upon whomever he decided violated these laws. On June 15, 1574, Queen Elizabeth I updated Edward III’s English Sumptuary Laws to further restrict what those in the lower classes were allowed to wear. The Elizabethan period is a noteworthy example of color’s long history with aiding class distinction.
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Powell used at least three colors that reoccur in the period drama and support the story lines: crimson, gold, and blue all provide excellent case studies for a little color theory, and the understanding of color during this bygone era. “Shakespeare in Love” won a stunning seven Oscars, including Best Costume by designer Sandy Powell (Mary Poppins Returns, The Young Victoria). While Will (Joseph Fiennes) is not quite living on the streets, the young man is notably lower class than Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), a woman of society. T he late 90s classic makes for an interesting exploration of those differences by positioning Shakespeare as a man in love with a woman of means. The romantic movie is set in 1593 towards Elizabethan period of the Tudor era, an epoch defined by strict dress codes and distinction between classes. To help keep this site running: Willow and Thatch may receive a commission when you click on any of the links on our site and make a purchase after doing so. Through a bout of writer’s block, male disguises, and passionate moments, the film takes us on a dramatic journey of Shakespearean proportions. “Shakespeare in Love” is the fictional depiction of a young William Shakespeare and his unlikely love affair with the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Viola. Home » Period Drama Articles » History & Costumes » Shakespeare in Love and Color Shakespeare in Love and Color