\paperw5085 \margr0\margl0\ATXph16380 \plain \fs20 \f1 \fs22 ShakespeareÆs Globe Theatre was on the south side of the Thames, in the area known as Southwark. The district also c
omprised a prison attached to Winchester House, residence of the Bishops of Winchester. During the 16th century, Protestant and Catholic prisoners of conscience were detained in this jail. The surrounding area was LondonÆs red-light district, coming un
der the jurisdiction of the bishop rather than the less accommodating City of London. Thus Shakespeare would have found plenty of inspiration for low-life scenes and language in the immediate surroundings of his theatre. Like all theatres of the period
, the Globe was built of wood and was only half covered, so plays had to be cancelled in bad weather. The Globe Theatre is now being reconstructed just east of its original site. The nearby Globe Museum illustrates the history of both the Globe and the
