Final answer:
Elizabethan theatres charged more for seats on tiered wooden benches with a thatched roof because they offered shelter, a better view, and status compared to standing in the open courtyard. These comfortable and exclusive areas highlighted social distinctions and the theaters served various functions beyond plays.
Step-by-step explanation:
Audiences paid more to sit on the tiered wooden benches under a thatched roof in Elizabethan theatres for a combination of comfort and status. These seats, apart from protecting the audience from the elements with the roof covering, also provided a better view of the stage, enhancing the theatre-going experience. Furthermore, seated balconies were a sign of social status, offering a more exclusive and comfortable space in contrast to the 'groundlings' who stood in the open courtyard.
The concept of tiered seating and the varying costs associated with different seating arrangements were significant as these theatres became not just places for entertainment but also venues where social distinctions were evident. Booths could be purchased by wealthier individuals who even furnished them for other activities, such as business or clandestine meetings, showing how theatres in this period started to serve multiple functions beyond the performances themselves.
Ultimately, these multifaceted theatres were designed to ensure that regardless of the price paid for the ticket, each member of the audience had a place, reflecting both the financial and social diversity of the theatre-goers during the Elizabethan era.