In Shakespeare's time, people would look to the flag flying atop the Globe Theatre to determine what type of play was being performed, as most could not read playbills. A black flag indicated a tragedy, a white flag a comedy, and a red flag a historical work. Knowing the meaning of the different colored flags allowed audiences to identify the genre of plays and choose which performances to attend.

1. In Shakespeare’s time, there were no tvs and
no cell phones. If people wanted to know
what was playing at the Globe Theatre, how
could they find out?
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2. One great way to know what
type of play was being
performed was by looking at
the flag! It was flying on the
top of the Globe.
People knew that a certain
color flag determined the type
of play that was taking place.

3. If a Black flag was flying on
the Globe, there was a
tragedy being performed.
For example, if a play that dealt with the
death of a famous or powerful person
(ex. Hamlet) was being played, people
would see a Black Flag.

4. If a White Flag was flying on the
Globe, there was a comedy being
performed.
Play attendees knew if they saw a
White flag flying, they could expect
to laugh.

5. If a Red Flag was flying on the
Globe, there was a history being
performed.
Play attendees knew if they saw a Red
Flag flying, the idea of the play would
be centered around a historical event
or figure.

6. One big reason that the flags were
used is that most of the people of
the time could not read or write.
They could not read a playbill even if
they were printed.
They did, however, know what the
colors of the flags meant. That
way, they could go and see the plays
they liked.