New plays are written every year, courtesy of the new wave of playwrights: John Lyly, Thomas Preston, and Thomas Hughes. The que
en continues to encourage dramatic art, personally attending performances at Gray’s Inn, Greenwich Palace, and Whitehall Palace. In 1583 she establishes her own theater company, the Queen’s Men, and leading actors flock to it. Puritans are enraged, and the following year the city authorities try to outlaw plays altogether, both within and outside the city walls. But now that drama has received royal approval, they don’t stand a chance. –The Time Traveler's Guide to Elizabethan England,
Ian Mortimer
Based on the structure of the passage, which event most directly caused city authorities to try to outlaw plays?
A)New plays were written every year.
B)The queen encouraged dramatic art.
C)The queen attended a performance at Gray’s Inn.
D)The Puritans were enraged.
The event that most directly caused city authorities to try to outlaw plays was the fact that (D.) the Puritans were enraged.
Although the Elizabethan period mainly characterized for its passion for dramatic art, <u>some plays were banned and several orders to close theaters were issued during this time</u>. Although Elizabeth was fond of this kind of entertainment,<u> religious and civic authorities were determined to outlaw some plays, especially Shakespeare's dramas for considering them 'too scandalous and vulgar'</u>. Puritans described all players as 'rogues' and 'vagabonds'. Moreover, after this period, in the 17th century, there were also some attempts to demolish all stage galleries and seats.
