1. T HE E NGLISH R ENAISSANCE AND W ILLIAM S HAKESPEARE How The Great Bard Was Born

2. “He was not of an age, but for all time” Ben Johnson on William Shakespeare

3. W ILLIAM S HAKESPEARE CIRCA 1609 The most famous writer in history was just as influenced by the culture he was born into as he influences modern culture. In learning about his life and reading his works, we learn about ourselves and about human nature. It is no mistake that every high school student in this country studies Shakespeare. He is quite simply the best and you are about to experience the power of his writings.

4. T HE R ENAISSANCE P ERIOD

5.  Renaissance literally means “rebirth” Rebirth of classical literature and art forms  A Renaissance occurs when life is good (people are not fighting for survival)  It is a high time for art and literature

6. I TALIAN R ENAISSANCE Occurred from 1300-1550 A.D. Marked as high time in art (THINK Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles— Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo) Authors: Petrarch (sonnets) and Castiglione (courtier book) Influenced the English Renaissance Period

7. E NGLISH R ENAISSANCE Occurred between 1400-1600 A.D. Began with Henry VIII and ended with King James I Highest point occurred during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign High time in literature: Sidney, Spencer, Marlow, Shakespeare Courtiers (professional kiss- ups) were very important Social classes were strictly enforced Theaters thrived but were considered low-class

8. S OCIAL M OBILITY During this time period, it was nearly impossible to rise above your birth— if you were born a peasant, you died a peasant. Family name and nobility were very important One way to try and rise above your birth was through the practice of patronage—though how far you could rise was pre-determined by your family name.

9. T HE T UDORS English Reformation and Renaissance

10. H ENRY V III From the Tudor line Had SIX wives: Catherine of Aragon(divorced), Anne Boleyn(beheaded), Jane Seymore (died), Ann of Cleves(divorced), Kathryn Howard (beheaded), Katherine Parr (survived) Divorced the Catholic Church in order to marry his mistress Wanted a male heir Fathered two daughters (Mary and Elizabeth) and one son (Edward) Was Catholic, Protestant, Catholic, Protestant....

11. P RINCE E DWARD The sole male heir to Henry’s throne He was Protestant and upheld this faith in the country once in power Was ill and died shortly after gaining the throne Left behind no heir (too young to do so)

12. B LOODY M ARY After Edward’s short reign and early death, Mary took the English throne. Devoutly Catholic and looking to vindicate her mother (Henry’s first wife), Mary vowed to wipe out Protestantism. Ordered the mass execution of Protestants to restore the Catholic faith. Died of cancer

13. Q UEEN E LIZABETH I “Bastard” Queen, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Was both acknowledged and disowned by her father when he was alive Devoutly Protestant “Virgin Queen”—never married, used her feminine wiles to gain and maintain power The art of flirtation became a lucrative enterprise during her reign Encouraged poetry and theater Powerful, wise, and important monarch Sustained many plots against her life

14. K ING J AMES I Was Queen Elizabeth’s Godson, inherited her throne. Patron of theater— Shakespeare’s King’s Men were his favorite acting troupe. Solidified the Protestant faith with the creation of the King James Bible

15. W HAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH S HAKESPEARE ????

16. The Italian Renaissance influenced the English Renaissance Henry VIII is the King at the start of the English Renaissance, his children ruled during most of this period, the era ended soon after all of his children were dead William Shakespeare was born while Elizabeth was Queen and became wealthy through King James I

17. B RIEF B IOGRAPHY OF W ILLIAM S HAKESPEARE April 23, 1564-April 23, 1616

18. S HAKESPEARE ’ S C AREER Wrote 37 plays Wrote comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances (not what you think) Also wrote 154 sonnets and several narrative poems all dedicated to Sir Henry Wriothesley He was an actor, writer, director, and business man Became known for his imaginative use of language and timelessness

19. E FFECTS OF THE M ONARCHY Shakespeare had to adjust his writings based on who was in power in England. Under Elizabeth—women were portrayed as strong, Catholicism was mocked, marriage was not made to be the ultimate goal for characters Under James—the practice of courtiership was mocked and Shakespeare was freer to fully develop his characters

20. R OMEO AND J ULIET “Two households, both alike in dignity In fair Verona where we lay our scene”.....

21. P LAY B ACKGROUND o Was one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays o It is a tragedy—there will not be a happy ending o It is the most famous love story of all time, BUT it is just as much about hate as it is about love o The action takes place in 5 DAYS!