Shakespeare's World Life and Death

After reading "Shakespeare's World", it is difficult to imagine how anyone could enjoy the theatre at a time of such hardship, restriction, violence and morbidity. With an average life expectancy under thirty years in the 1500's, how could anyone have any aspirations or dreams? Especially with little hope on the horizon. It's shocking how a world with no antiseptics, limited understanding of disease, food shortages, and a plague could produce history's greatest playwright. I was also surprised to hear of the cruel and unusual punishment that took place during the Shakespeare era. From something as little as a slapping to a beheading or hanging, people clearly had less regard for human life than they do today. What's even more disturbing is that people found these events as a form of entertainment, as nearly twenty to thirty people a day were executed in front of large crowds. Finally, It was shocking to realize how certain social and cultural ideas in the 16th century do not differ much from the present day. For example, Executions of convicts in America today allow for an audience. Families of a murder victim can watch a man or woman die in the electric chair. It may not be as primitive as watching a hanging but the same concept applies. Also, five centuries after the English had divided the population into two groups, "rich" and "poor", we still continue this idea of "groups" in a society consisting of upper, lower and middle class. I don't believe it is a coincidence that Shakespeare's tragedies emerged later in his career. Perhaps he became more aware of the problems existing in his era and knew there would be little to know change regarding health, politics, family values, and other issues during his lifetime. Clearly in history, movies and plays have served as a portal for people to escape the harsh realities of everyday life, enabling them to imagine a worse, or dream of a better life. It is surprising to me that Shakespeare could have such a passion for his craft and deliver his visions so artistically in such a grim world.