-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- concordia wolfe 10/29/08 ... the theatre of the 1500s was barely the center of attention and in the 1600s finally gained momentum in the early part thanks to shakespeare , his contemporaries and their patron the queen .