Print This Page
Shakespeare on Stage
American Shakespeare Center, The Merchant of Venice. To Nov. 23, 2012.
American Shakespeare Center, A Midsummer Night's Dream. To Jun. 14, 2012.
Folger Shakespeare Library, The Taming of the Shrew. To Jun. 10, 2012.
American Shakespeare Center, The Winter's Tale. To Jun. 16, 2012.
American Shakespeare Center, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore. To Jun. 16, 2012.
More Performances…
‌

The plague

A bed full of fleas.
Folger Shakespeare Library.

There were several years during Shakespeare's time in London in which the plague was severe enough to close the theatres: 1582, 1592 (15,000 deaths), 1603, and 1607.

The Elizabethans had no idea that the plague was spread by fleas that had lived on rats; though there were many "cures" for the plague, the only real defense--for those who could afford it--was to leave the crowded, rat-infested cities for the country.

A preservative against the pestilence

Take yarrow, tansy, featherfew, of each a handful, and bruise them well together, then let the sick party make water into the herbs, then strain them, and give it the sick to drink.

Another [more palatable] remedy for the plague

Take of sage, rue, briar leaves, elder leaves, of each a handful, stamp them and strain them with a quart of white wine, and put thereto a little ginger, and a good spoonful of the best treacle, and drink thereof morning and evening.