Introduction to the Introduction to the English Renaissance & English Renaissance &

ShakespeareShakespeare

Time of the Renaissance is 1485-1660Focus will be 1485-1625Notice changes all over the world

Focus of the World:– Exploration– Art– Literature

WORLD EVENTS:– 1492: Columbus lands in Western Hemisphere– 1503: Leonardo de Vinci paint Mona Lisa– 1514: Ponce de Leon explores Florida– 1604: Part I of Don Quixote published– 1620: Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock

British EventsBritish Events 1534: Church of England established1534: Church of England established 1558: Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England1558: Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England 1590: Edmund Spenser publishes 1590: Edmund Spenser publishes

The Faerie Queen Part IThe Faerie Queen Part I 1594: Shakespeare writes1594: Shakespeare writes Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet 1599: The Globe Theater opens1599: The Globe Theater opens 1605: Shakespeare’s 1605: Shakespeare’s MacbethMacbeth first performed first performed 1603: James I crowned King of England1603: James I crowned King of England 1611: King James Bible is published1611: King James Bible is published

Main focus---LiteratureMain focus---Literature– Poetry and DramaPoetry and Drama

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background► Tudor Dynasty established in 1485=new era Tudor Dynasty established in 1485=new era ► Monarchs assured stability by increasing their own power and Monarchs assured stability by increasing their own power and

undercutting strength of noblesundercutting strength of nobles► They changed religious practices and helped to transform They changed religious practices and helped to transform

England from small nation to one of world’s great powersEngland from small nation to one of world’s great powers► First Tudor Monarch---Henry VIIFirst Tudor Monarch---Henry VII

Rebuilt nation’s treasure and established law and orderRebuilt nation’s treasure and established law and order► Succeeded by son Henry VIII---a practicing CatholicSucceeded by son Henry VIII---a practicing Catholic

Good relationship w/church until he asked a question…Good relationship w/church until he asked a question…►Wife Catherine had not given him a son…so, he wanted an

annulment to marry Anne Boleyn---request denied, but remarried anyway

► Broke away from church and dissolved monasteries►Had former friend, Thomas More, killed b/c he would not

denounce his religion►Had a son with 3rd wife, Jane Seymour….son’s name was

Edward►Married 6 times

► Edward took throne at age of 9 years….died at the age of 15Edward took throne at age of 9 years….died at the age of 15 Replaced Latin in church ritual with prayer book, the Replaced Latin in church ritual with prayer book, the Book of Book of

Common PrayerCommon Prayer

► Mary I (Edward’s half-sister) took throneMary I (Edward’s half-sister) took throne Restored Roman practices to the Church of EnglandRestored Roman practices to the Church of England Ordered the execution of nearly 300 Protestants and Ordered the execution of nearly 300 Protestants and

strengthened Catholic sentimentstrengthened Catholic sentiment Became known as “Bloody Mary” after this occurrenceBecame known as “Bloody Mary” after this occurrence

► Elizabeth I (Mary’s half-sister) took throneElizabeth I (Mary’s half-sister) took throne Was strong, clever and probably England’s ablest monarch since Was strong, clever and probably England’s ablest monarch since

William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror Instituted a policy of religious moderationInstituted a policy of religious moderation Restored the Restored the Book of Common PrayerBook of Common Prayer in the Church of England in the Church of England Main adversary—Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland. (many Catholics Main adversary—Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland. (many Catholics

did not recognize Henry VIII’s marriage to Elizabeth’s mother, so did not recognize Henry VIII’s marriage to Elizabeth’s mother, so they considered Mary Stuart the Queen of England)they considered Mary Stuart the Queen of England)► Mary Stuart instigated plots against Elizabeth IMary Stuart instigated plots against Elizabeth I► Parliament insisted on Mary’s execution…she was beheaded in 1587Parliament insisted on Mary’s execution…she was beheaded in 1587

► James I took throne in 1603James I took throne in 1603 Claim to the throne rested on his descent from King Henry VII Claim to the throne rested on his descent from King Henry VII

through his mother, Mary Stuartthrough his mother, Mary Stuart He was a Protestant and successful leaderHe was a Protestant and successful leader Sponsored establishment of England’s first settlement---Sponsored establishment of England’s first settlement---

Jamestown, VAJamestown, VA Eventually persecuted the Puritans and struggled with ParlimentEventually persecuted the Puritans and struggled with Parliment

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Review of Background Review of Background

InformationInformation

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare Born (baptized) April 23, 1564 in Stratford on AvonBorn (baptized) April 23, 1564 in Stratford on Avon Father –John Mother---Mary ArdenFather –John Mother---Mary Arden Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 (@18 & she was Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 (@18 & she was

26)26) Had 3 children togetherHad 3 children together

Susanna (1583)Susanna (1583) Twins: Hamnet and Judith (1585)Twins: Hamnet and Judith (1585)

Settled in London where he began acting & writingSettled in London where he began acting & writing

Queen Elizabeth I loved arts, plays, and pageantsQueen Elizabeth I loved arts, plays, and pageants Supported writers and theatersSupported writers and theaters Her support helped prompt the popularity and growth of Her support helped prompt the popularity and growth of

the arts in Englandthe arts in England Other beloved writers: Edward Spenser, Christopher Other beloved writers: Edward Spenser, Christopher

Marlowe and Sir Philip SidneyMarlowe and Sir Philip Sidney

William Shakespeare joined an acting group William Shakespeare joined an acting group called: The Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 1594called: The Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 1594

Joined with leading tragic actor, Richard BurbageJoined with leading tragic actor, Richard Burbage James I became a patron of the theater and of the James I became a patron of the theater and of the

acting companyacting company He changed the name to The King’s MenHe changed the name to The King’s Men Financial success allowed Shakespeare toFinancial success allowed Shakespeare to

Become a partner in The Globe TheaterBecome a partner in The Globe Theater Buy home---called New PlaceBuy home---called New Place Bought a coat of arms for his father (usually only given Bought a coat of arms for his father (usually only given

to royalty and knights by the king)to royalty and knights by the king) Earliest Masterpieces Included:Earliest Masterpieces Included:

Richard III The Comedy of Errors The Taming of the Shrew Romeo and Juliet

Wrote comedies, tragedies and historiesWrote comedies, tragedies and histories Most famous tragedies (play in which the Most famous tragedies (play in which the

hero/heroine MUST die): hero/heroine MUST die): Hamlet, Othello, King Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth and Antony & CleopatraLear, Macbeth and Antony & Cleopatra

He retired to Stratford Upon Avon in 1611 and He retired to Stratford Upon Avon in 1611 and died April 23, 1616died April 23, 1616

In his lifetime he wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets and In his lifetime he wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets and 2 narrative poems 2 narrative poems

Included genres of histories, comedies, tragedies Included genres of histories, comedies, tragedies and tragic comediesand tragic comedies

Many plotlines based on or borrowed from ancient Many plotlines based on or borrowed from ancient Greece where the tragedies would bring about Greece where the tragedies would bring about pity and fearpity and fear pity for the heropity for the hero Fear of humans w/their character flawsFear of humans w/their character flaws

Theaters of the Theaters of the RenaissanceRenaissance

“The Theater”---the 1st theater (1576) Built by James Burbage

“The Rose”, “The Swan”, “The Curtain”, “The Blackfriars” followed

“The Globe” was built in 1598 and used for many of Shakespeare’s plays Held up to 3,000 people (2 areas…the pit and the galleries)

Burned down in 1613 when a cannon was fired during a play and caught the roof on fire

Very little scenery was used, therefore the writer had to rely heavily on dialogue to set the scene

Flags were used to signify the genre of a play—Black = tragedy, white = comedy

Eventually rebuilt and torn down again before 1644 Rebuilt in June 1997 (yes, 1997)

Characteristics of a TragedyCharacteristics of a TragedyTragic hero comes to an unhappy endTragic hero is usually a person of

importanceTragic hero exhibits tragic flaw

(an error in judgment or weakness)

Antagonist contributes to the hero’s downfall

A series of events lead inevitably to the catastrophe (tragic resolution)

Plot DiagramPlot Diagram

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Follow outline with Acts in Shakespeare’s plays