The Elizabethan Age and Shakespeare

The Elizabethan Age and Shakespeare Gifted English I

The Time and What It Stood For 

This period is associated with Queen Elizabeth I’s reign (1558-1603).

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England during this period had a centralized, wellorganized, and effective government. They were also greatly profiting from trade with the colonies.

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This age – also known as the English Renaissance -- is considered the GOLDEN AGE in English history

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----- literature, poetry, and theatre all broke away from the past and expanded in new creative directions.

The Elizabethan Mindset 

The Protestant Reformation, the people focused more on humanism than religion as the subject of their writing. The arts became incredibly important at this time.

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Women were relatively unrestrained, torture and persecution were at an all-time low, the borders were open to travelers from other countries.

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Travel and exploration were important and most new inventions were related to travel of some sort.

Elizabethan Theatre 

Mystery plays – complex retellings of legends formed from biblical stories

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University drama – recreated Greek tragedies

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Masque plays – told of ethics and myths… included singing, dancing, and elaborate costumes.

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Tour troupes – groups of professional “players”

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These groups were first seen as vagabonds and the law tried to make them stop performing. But they became immensely popular. The miracle plays and masques died out.

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Tour troupes received better and better funding as Queen Elizabeth I showed her enthusiasm for them.

who traveled to perform. They were funded by wealthy patrons.

William Shakespeare 

‘Baptized’ 26 April 1564 in his hometown: Stratford-upon-Avon.

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England’s National Poet

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At 18 he married Anne Hathaway, who bore him three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith.

William Shakespeare 

While in his twenties, Shakespeare lived in London and was a successful actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.

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His early plays were comedies and histories. His later plays were mostly tragedies. His final works were tragicomedies, or romances, like The

Tempest.

The Shakespeare Website/PPT Research Project 

You will create a powerpoint presentation of at least 8 slides (or a website) about the Elizabethan era:

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Use at least three sources. One must be a book (NO WIKIPEDIA!). At least 10 summary cards should also be included.

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*Consider each PPT slide as a paragraph of a normal research paper!! Pick your focus, give evidence, and analyze/reflect! You must have a title slide and a works cited slide.

Research Topics           

The Family Crime and Punishment Gender Roles Education Theatre Sports and Leisure Activities Clothing Food and Nutrition Sickness and Health Care Science and Superstition Art and Architecture The Social Classes Town Life vs. Country Life Religion and the Church Politics and The Government The Globe Theatre

Quick Research on Elizabethan England 

When did Queen Elizabeth I come into power? How long was she in power? Who was her father? Who succeeded her? What was her reign like?

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Describe the religious climate during this time. What was the main religion at the time? What were some of the changes (reformation) that took place in religion at the time?

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Describe the daily life of a peasant? A noble? What was the status/role of women within this era?