Time Travel and Elizabethan London: A Chapter Analysis

Chapter Four

p. 31: A New Reality
Nat wakes up in an unfamiliar, uncomfortable bed that is clearly not his own.

A New Character: Harry

Harry has long, curly hair and a strange accent; he is half-English and half-American.

p. 32: The New Bedroom

The bedroom is small, featuring a single window divided into small panes. The “toilet” consists of a simple bucket.

p. 33: Understanding the Situation

Nat takes the bucket and empties it. He contemplates his new identity as a member of the Merry Wives of Windsor company.

p. 34: The Three Globes

There are three globes: the first was burned, the second was destroyed, and the third is currently being built.

The Burbages

• Mistress Burbage: She bears a striking resemblance to Nat's Aunt Jen.
• Master Burbage: A chunky, handsome man, younger than Arby but older than Gil.

p. 36: Period Refreshments

The common drink of the era is a type of beer called ale.

p. 37: 16th Century London Atmosphere

The streets are in poor condition, described as filthy and foul-smelling.

p. 38: Elizabethan Justice

Those who committed serious crimes faced the penalty of beheading.

Chapter Five

p. 40: The Modern Nat's Condition

Nat feels severely ill while in bed. He is taken to the hospital exhibiting symptoms of the plague: dark, sinister swellings in the neck, armpits, and groin, accompanied by a rapid heartbeat.

Chapter Six

p. 42: The Original Globe

This is the historical Globe, not the modern reconstruction. A white flag flies from the flagpole. The theater stands proud, surrounded by green fields and trees rather than office buildings. The plaster gleams white, and the thatch is tight and straight-edged.

p. 45: The Conflict Between Two Wills

William Kempe, an actor Nat recognizes from St. Paul’s School, is a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. He abruptly quits the company just as Nat arrives.

Nat’s Impression of William Shakespeare

Nat admires Shakespeare’s soft, projecting voice and his humorous, youthful face with striking eyes. He notes that Shakespeare is not a tall man, roughly the same size as Gil.