The Theatre's Immoral Reputation

According to the article I read, the thetres and actors developed a low reputation during the era of when Shakespeare was first written and then acted out on stage, mostly due to the actors working in close proximity with the groundings. Groundings were poor patrons, people who frequented the Globe Theatre in the early 17th century who were too poor to pay to be able to sit on one of the three levels of the theatre. By paying one penny, they could stand in "the pit", also called "the yard", just below the stage to watch the play. Shakespeare’s theatre was full of life; with large, rowdy crowds attracting, pick pockets and other rough elements were experienced. People did not sit all the time and it was not quiet during the performance. The audience could walk around, eat and drink during the play. They cheered, booed and sometimes even threw objects at the actors. This was considered an unsafe area with crime and prostitution establishing quickly, the location of these theatres being near taverns and other unsavory establishments gave an immoral reputation.