The concepts of microcosm and macrocosm underline the correspondence between the individual and universe. In ancient times there was the belief that the world was animated and endowed with a soul. The human body represented a universe in miniature. During the Renaissance, the idea of a deep correspondence between microcosm and macrocosm was central to the work of Pico della Mirandola and was one of the favourite themes of magic literature.

Man was framed of four elements (air, water, earth and fire): he breathed air, he took the liquid element of blood in water, he was kept warm by the elemental fire and eventually he return to the earth when he dies. The element fire was the spirit of life itself. Undue preponderance of one element caused illness. The body contains four fluids called humours, each corresponding to one of the elements. The element of fire, in excess, produced fevers, the watery element cause colds and the earthy humour caused depression. Air shared with the humour of blood.
This disordered state of health might be caused by leading a solitary life. Here again we see the tendency to bring things into relationships.

Until James Burbage built the first permanent theatre in 1576, Elizabethan players hadn't a stable home. They were accustomed to acting on a variety of stages. Permanent theatres were circular or octagonal. There were a tiring house, were the actors changed their attire, and an inner stage, used for discoveries and for final scenes. There was no scenery and the action was continuos. A scene ended when all the actors had gone off the stage and a new set of characters came on.
In Shakespeare's time there were no woman actresses, the part of young women were acting by boys.
Since the actors were partners in the concern, the company remained constant.

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