Podcast
Questions and Answers
How much do we know about Shakespeare's life?
How much do we know about Shakespeare's life?
There are many gaps in what we know about Shakespeare because there are only two sources of information about him - his works and various legal and church documents.
Where was Shakespeare born?
Where was Shakespeare born?
Stratford-On-Avon
What date was Shakespeare born on?
What date was Shakespeare born on?
April 23, 1564
Did Shakespeare ever get married? If so, to whom?
Did Shakespeare ever get married? If so, to whom?
Shakespeare established himself as an ______ and __________.
Shakespeare established himself as an ______ and __________.
What day did Shakespeare die? What is unusual about this date?
What day did Shakespeare die? What is unusual about this date?
What did Shakespeare leave his wife in his will?
What did Shakespeare leave his wife in his will?
What were the two major religions in Elizabethan England?
What were the two major religions in Elizabethan England?
Who dictated the favored religion during Shakespeare's time?
Who dictated the favored religion during Shakespeare's time?
Which Monarchs reigned during Shakespeare's time? When?
Which Monarchs reigned during Shakespeare's time? When?
Match the Monarchs with their religions:
Match the Monarchs with their religions:
How did each Monarch treat those who did not follow their favored religion?
How did each Monarch treat those who did not follow their favored religion?
Why did Queen Elizabeth I ban all performances of religious plays and stories?
Why did Queen Elizabeth I ban all performances of religious plays and stories?
What was the Elizabethan Period?
What was the Elizabethan Period?
When was the Elizabethan period?
When was the Elizabethan period?
What was the most significant invention of the Elizabethan period and why?
What was the most significant invention of the Elizabethan period and why?
What did scientific invention lead to a renewed interest in?
What did scientific invention lead to a renewed interest in?
During this period, what were unexplained events blamed on?
During this period, what were unexplained events blamed on?
Why were people of this period superstitious?
Why were people of this period superstitious?
What were the four humors and what were they associated with?
What were the four humors and what were they associated with?
How was Elizabethan class structure maintained?
How was Elizabethan class structure maintained?
What was the Chain of Being and what did it uphold?
What was the Chain of Being and what did it uphold?
What is the Rotae Fortuna?
What is the Rotae Fortuna?
What did education depend on?
What did education depend on?
What was the main purpose of schooling?
What was the main purpose of schooling?
Why were students taught Latin?
Why were students taught Latin?
What were girls from wealthy families educated in?
What were girls from wealthy families educated in?
Why were courses in university conducted in Latin?
Why were courses in university conducted in Latin?
What was the general feeling towards plays during this period?
What was the general feeling towards plays during this period?
What was the name of the first theater?
What was the name of the first theater?
What was the name of the most famous theater?
What was the name of the most famous theater?
What happened to this theater?
What happened to this theater?
Where did people sit or not sit in the theater?
Where did people sit or not sit in the theater?
When did they have performances? Why?
When did they have performances? Why?
How many women performed in these plays?
How many women performed in these plays?
If the audience didn't like what they were seeing, what would they do?
If the audience didn't like what they were seeing, what would they do?
What does Shakespeare's work provide reference for?
What does Shakespeare's work provide reference for?
What were Shakespeare's histories a tribute to?
What were Shakespeare's histories a tribute to?
What was Shakespeare attempting to do with these tributes?
What was Shakespeare attempting to do with these tributes?
How many words did Shakespeare invent?
How many words did Shakespeare invent?
Give an example of a word or phrase we have gotten from Shakespeare.
Give an example of a word or phrase we have gotten from Shakespeare.
Name one poet who was influenced by Shakespeare.
Name one poet who was influenced by Shakespeare.
Study Notes
Shakespeare's Life and Works
- Knowledge of Shakespeare's life is limited due to the reliance on two main sources: his literary works and legal/church documents.
- Born in Stratford-On-Avon, supposedly on April 23, 1564.
- Married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582.
- Established himself as an actor and playwright.
- Allegedly died on his birthday, April 23, 1616, leaving behind his "second best bed" in his will.
Religion in Elizabethan England
- The two predominant religions during this era were Catholicism and Protestantism.
- The reigning monarchs dictated the favored religion of the time.
- Queen Mary I ruled from 1553-1558 and was Catholic, known for harsh treatment of Protestants, earning the name Bloody Mary.
- Queen Elizabeth I reigned from 1558-1603 as a Protestant, allowing Catholic practice as long as it posed no threat.
Elizabethan Period Overview
- The Elizabethan Period coincided with the Renaissance, characterized by new ideas, inventions, and a burgeoning interest in sciences and the supernatural.
- The printing press played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge and boosting literacy.
- The period also saw superstitions flourish, often attributing unexplained phenomena to witches.
Social Structure and Education
- Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws maintained class structure by regulating clothing to reflect social status.
- The Chain of Being reinforced social hierarchy, asserting lower classes’ submission to upper classes, responsible for their welfare.
- Education was heavily dependent on a family's financial and social standing, primarily focused on teaching appropriate behavior for one's class.
- Latin was the primary language of education, deemed essential for communication in affairs and academia.
Theatrical Landscape
- Plays initially faced scrutiny, leading to restrictions in London, with theatres established in Southwark to bypass these rules.
- The Theatre was the first enduring theatre, while the Globe became the most famous, operational until a fire during a performance in 1613 destroyed it.
- Performances occurred in the afternoon due to lack of artificial lighting, with audiences primarily standing in an open pit or sitting as nobles on the side.
Shakespeare's Contribution and Influence
- Shakespeare wrote significantly, producing over 1,700 words still in use today, such as "sanctimonious," which refers to feigned piety.
- His historical plays served as tributes to the British monarchy, reflecting national pride and identity.
- His works often referenced Greek mythology, integrating classical themes into contemporary settings.
- Notable poets like Edmund Spenser drew inspiration from Shakespeare’s innovative style and themes.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the life and background of William Shakespeare through these engaging flashcards. Dive into the limited historical documents and understand the contexts of his work and legacy.
