Era or Time PeriodEra or Time PeriodAn era is a An era is a period of time characterized by particular period of time characterized by particular

circumstances, events, or persons.circumstances, events, or persons. (Webster On-line Dictionary)(Webster On-line Dictionary)

Literary and Artistic Time PeriodsLiterary and Artistic Time Periods Middle Ages:Middle Ages:

A broad period from 500 to 1500 AD which includes A broad period from 500 to 1500 AD which includes Chaucer, romance, drama and verse.Chaucer, romance, drama and verse.

Renaissance:Renaissance: A period of "rebirth" from roughly the 14th through the A period of "rebirth" from roughly the 14th through the 16th Centuries. Some links here also refer to the 17th 16th Centuries. Some links here also refer to the 17th

century. Milton, Shakespeare, Spenser, More, and Donne century. Milton, Shakespeare, Spenser, More, and Donne are a few of the authors of this period.are a few of the authors of this period.

Gothic Period:Gothic Period: This period crosses from the late 18th Century to the early This period crosses from the late 18th Century to the early

19th and mixes into the Romantic Period with Gothic 19th and mixes into the Romantic Period with Gothic Romances. This period includes Mary Shelley’s Romances. This period includes Mary Shelley’s

Frankenstein.Frankenstein.

Literary Era’s continuedLiterary Era’s continued Romantic Period:Romantic Period:

From the late 18th Century to the late 19th, the Romantic period From the late 18th Century to the late 19th, the Romantic period flourished with authors including Jane Austen, William Blake, Samuel flourished with authors including Jane Austen, William Blake, Samuel Coleridge, and William Wordsworth.Coleridge, and William Wordsworth.Victorian Period:Victorian Period: During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901) in England, During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901) in England, literature reflected the impact of and struggles brought on by the literature reflected the impact of and struggles brought on by the Industrial Revolution. Bronte, George Eliot, Tennyson, Dickens, and Industrial Revolution. Bronte, George Eliot, Tennyson, Dickens, and Wilde are a few of the represented authors.Wilde are a few of the represented authors.Post Colonial:Post Colonial: Here find links to materials covering postcolonial theory, literatures Here find links to materials covering postcolonial theory, literatures and authors from the Caribbean, India, and South Africa after and authors from the Caribbean, India, and South Africa after Colonial rule.  There is limited country information available as well.Colonial rule.  There is limited country information available as well.

1990’s Era 1990’s Era

*Electronic age – the World Wide Web was born in 1992*Electronic age – the World Wide Web was born in 1992

* By 1994, 3 million people were online.  And by 1998, this figure * By 1994, 3 million people were online.  And by 1998, this figure increased to 100 million people. In 2000, 295 million people increased to 100 million people. In 2000, 295 million people used the internet daily.used the internet daily.

• Population:  Population:  281,421,906 (2000 Census)281,421,906 (2000 Census), Unemployment:  , Unemployment:  5.8 million, or 4.2% (Sept 99), 5.8 million, or 4.2% (Sept 99), National Debt:National Debt:  $5,413.l Million   $5,413.l Million (1997)  | (1997)  | Average Salary:Average Salary:  $13.37/hr (1999)  |   $13.37/hr (1999)  | Minimum Minimum Wage:  Wage:  $5.15/hr (1997)  | $5.15/hr (1997)  | Life Expectancy: Life Expectancy: Male 73.1 Female Male 73.1 Female 79.1(1997) | 79.1(1997) | Auto Deaths:Auto Deaths:  49,772 (1997)  49,772 (1997)

• SeinfeldSeinfeld, , The Cosby Show, Cheers, Beverly Hills 90210The Cosby Show, Cheers, Beverly Hills 90210, and , and FriendsFriends were among the most popular shows on television. were among the most popular shows on television.

• The first popular reality TV shows began on MTV called The first popular reality TV shows began on MTV called The The Real World Real World and and SurvivorSurvivor on CBS. on CBS.

• The first animal, “Dolly” was cloned in the early 90’s.The first animal, “Dolly” was cloned in the early 90’s.• Cell phones, which were in their early stages in the late 1980’s, Cell phones, which were in their early stages in the late 1980’s,

became a “necessity” for the vast majority of people in the US.became a “necessity” for the vast majority of people in the US.

1990’s Trends1990’s TrendsKurt Cobain from Kurt Cobain from NirvanaNirvana– The – The

Seattle grunge sceneSeattle grunge scene

Beverly Hills 90210Beverly Hills 90210

1990’s Trends1990’s Trends

1990’s Prices1990’s Prices Money and Inflation 1990'sMoney and Inflation 1990's To provide an estimate of inflation we have given a guide to the value of $100 US To provide an estimate of inflation we have given a guide to the value of $100 US

Dollars for the first year in the decade to the equivalent in today's money Dollars for the first year in the decade to the equivalent in today's money If you have $100 Converted from 1990 to 2005 it would be equivalent to $153.76 If you have $100 Converted from 1990 to 2005 it would be equivalent to $153.76 today today

In 1990 the average cost of a new house was $123,000.00 and by 1999 was In 1990 the average cost of a new house was $123,000.00 and by 1999 was $131,700.00 $131,700.00

In 1990 the average income per year was $28,970.00 and by 1999 was $40,810.00 In 1990 the average income per year was $28,970.00 and by 1999 was $40,810.00

In 1990 a gallon of gas was $1.34 and by 1999 was $1.22 In 1990 a gallon of gas was $1.34 and by 1999 was $1.22

In 1990 the average cost of new car was $16,000.00 and by 1999 was $21,100.00 In 1990 the average cost of new car was $16,000.00 and by 1999 was $21,100.00

A few more prices from the 90's and how much things costA few more prices from the 90's and how much things cost Ford Mustang Convertible $14,289.00   1990 Ford Mustang Convertible $14,289.00   1990

Plymouth Voyager $15,999 New Jersey 1996 Plymouth Voyager $15,999 New Jersey 1996

Leather Bomber Jacket $99.99 Annapolis 1993 From Leather Bomber Jacket $99.99 Annapolis 1993 From Levi Denim Jeans $34.99 New Jersey 1996 Levi Denim Jeans $34.99 New Jersey 1996

Super Nintendo $159.00 New Jersey 1996 Super Nintendo $159.00 New Jersey 1996

Cellular Car Phone $325.00 Ohio 1990Cellular Car Phone $325.00 Ohio 1990

1990’s Events1990’s Events The Gulf WarThe Gulf War 1992 LA Riots (Rodney King)1992 LA Riots (Rodney King) President Clinton affairPresident Clinton affair 1995 O.J. Simpson trial1995 O.J. Simpson trial In the months between February 1996 and April 1999 In the months between February 1996 and April 1999

there were at least fourteen incidents of school shootings there were at least fourteen incidents of school shootings with the most lethal being on April 20, 1999 when 14 with the most lethal being on April 20, 1999 when 14 students and 1 teacher were killed and  23 wounded at students and 1 teacher were killed and  23 wounded at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.

Booming economy with the stock market at an all-time Booming economy with the stock market at an all-time high high

Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls won six titles in the 90's (91, 92, 93, 96, 97 and 98)

William Shakespeare and William Shakespeare and The English RenaissanceThe English Renaissance

The English RenaissanceThe English Renaissance The Elizabethan Era, or the The Elizabethan Era, or the

English Renaissance, is a period English Renaissance, is a period of time associated with the of time associated with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) (1558-1603)

Elizabeth was 25 years old Elizabeth was 25 years old when she became the Queen of when she became the Queen of England and she held that title England and she held that title for 45 years until her death in for 45 years until her death in 1603.1603.

This renaissance period can be This renaissance period can be directly attributed to Elizabeth’s directly attributed to Elizabeth’s character and influence which is character and influence which is why it is nicknamed the why it is nicknamed the “Elizabethan Era”.“Elizabethan Era”.

Queen Elizabeth FactsQueen Elizabeth Facts Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (who was later Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (who was later

executed for treason)executed for treason) Elizabeth was third in line for the thrown following her Elizabeth was third in line for the thrown following her

younger half-brother Edward and her older half-sister Mary.younger half-brother Edward and her older half-sister Mary. Elizabeth took over the monarchy after Edward died at the Elizabeth took over the monarchy after Edward died at the

age of 15 and her sister, nicknamed “Bloody Mary” because age of 15 and her sister, nicknamed “Bloody Mary” because of her relentless and extremely violent efforts to return of her relentless and extremely violent efforts to return England solely to Catholicism, died suddenly in 1558.England solely to Catholicism, died suddenly in 1558.

Elizabeth was a popular and powerful Queen who led Elizabeth was a popular and powerful Queen who led England into a time of enormous prosperity and stability. England into a time of enormous prosperity and stability.

She was exceptionally well educated and enjoyed She was exceptionally well educated and enjoyed everything from history and science, to art, literature and everything from history and science, to art, literature and philosophy.philosophy.

She encouraged many types of art forms and artists which She encouraged many types of art forms and artists which led to a cultural reawakening or “renaissance”.led to a cultural reawakening or “renaissance”.

Queen Mary nicknamedQueen Mary nicknamed“Bloody Mary”“Bloody Mary”

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the RenaissanceRenaissance

““The Elizabethan World Picture” was a widely held The Elizabethan World Picture” was a widely held assumption that there was an order to the nature of the assumption that there was an order to the nature of the universe. Everything had its place and function. This led to universe. Everything had its place and function. This led to structure, intricate design, and elaborate ornamentation structure, intricate design, and elaborate ornamentation which was seen in fashion, music, architecture, and which was seen in fashion, music, architecture, and literature of the period.literature of the period.

The greatest literature of the period falls into two The greatest literature of the period falls into two categories: poetry and drama. One of the most categories: poetry and drama. One of the most famous poems of the time, famous poems of the time, The Faerie QueenThe Faerie Queen, , was written as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth by was written as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth by Edmund Spenser. William Shakespeare is the Edmund Spenser. William Shakespeare is the most famous of all writers of the period completing most famous of all writers of the period completing 34 successful plays and over 150 poems.34 successful plays and over 150 poems.

Interesting Facts about the Interesting Facts about the Renaissance PeriodRenaissance Period

The most popular forms of entertainment during this time The most popular forms of entertainment during this time were plays, feasts, festivals, and jousting tournaments.were plays, feasts, festivals, and jousting tournaments.

Scientific progress was made in the field of cartography Scientific progress was made in the field of cartography (mapping the globe). Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated (mapping the globe). Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe between 1577 and 1581 and another explorer the globe between 1577 and 1581 and another explorer named Martin Frobisher explored the artic.named Martin Frobisher explored the artic.

““Coaches” were invented as a means of transportation and Coaches” were invented as a means of transportation and

became as popular as cars are to us today.became as popular as cars are to us today. Girls were permitted to marry at the age of 12 and boys at Girls were permitted to marry at the age of 12 and boys at

14 however, the average age to marry was 27.14 however, the average age to marry was 27. Men were considered the head of the household and wives Men were considered the head of the household and wives

had to abide by their rules.had to abide by their rules. In noble families children were sent away to be nursed by a In noble families children were sent away to be nursed by a

woman typically referred to as a “wet nurse”. woman typically referred to as a “wet nurse”.

Interesting Facts about the Interesting Facts about the Renaissance PeriodRenaissance Period

Coins were literally worth the value of their metal.Coins were literally worth the value of their metal. Many businesses accepted tokens, made of brass or leather, that Many businesses accepted tokens, made of brass or leather, that

could be traded for goods, instead of coins as a form of payment.could be traded for goods, instead of coins as a form of payment. The main meal of the day was served at noon and could consist of The main meal of the day was served at noon and could consist of

bread, stew, a vegetable, and ale.bread, stew, a vegetable, and ale. Many foods were discovered as edible during this period such as Many foods were discovered as edible during this period such as

bananas, artichokes, peanuts, cocoa, iceberg lettuce, turkey, and bananas, artichokes, peanuts, cocoa, iceberg lettuce, turkey, and tomatoes.tomatoes.

The main occupations were carpenters, brewers, blacksmiths, The main occupations were carpenters, brewers, blacksmiths, bakers, tradesmen (clock maker, candle maker etc.), butchers, and bakers, tradesmen (clock maker, candle maker etc.), butchers, and whores, which was legal at the time and regulated by the whores, which was legal at the time and regulated by the government because of the frequency of diseases passed. government because of the frequency of diseases passed.

In the city, chamber pots might be emptied directly into the In the city, chamber pots might be emptied directly into the streets, which would only be cleaned in a heavy shower of streets, which would only be cleaned in a heavy shower of rain. rain.

The Fleet River (after which Fleet Street in London is named) The Fleet River (after which Fleet Street in London is named) was known as Fleet Ditch. It was in effect an open sewer, was known as Fleet Ditch. It was in effect an open sewer, infested by rats--a certain source of infection for the plague.infested by rats--a certain source of infection for the plague.

Renaissance MusicRenaissance Music The Renaissance era was one of the most The Renaissance era was one of the most

productive time periods in history as far as the productive time periods in history as far as the advancement of music goes. advancement of music goes.

Music became much more expressive, and the Music became much more expressive, and the sound and quality of the instruments became sound and quality of the instruments became more refined and more pleasant to listen to. more refined and more pleasant to listen to.

Instruments such as the bagpipe, cornet, and Instruments such as the bagpipe, cornet, and the lute became more than just accompaniment the lute became more than just accompaniment for singers; they became an outlet for emotions. for singers; they became an outlet for emotions.

InstrumentsInstruments

The LuteThe Lute

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InstrumentsInstruments

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Renaissance ArtRenaissance Art Artist – Raphael born in Artist – Raphael born in

Italy in 1483 and died in Italy in 1483 and died in 15201520

Oil painting titled, Oil painting titled, “Portrait of a Young Man “Portrait of a Young Man in Red”in Red”

In four years Raphael's In four years Raphael's fame led to a summons to fame led to a summons to Rome from Pope Julius II. Rome from Pope Julius II. As painter to the papal As painter to the papal court, his work met with court, his work met with high praise, and he high praise, and he established himself as the established himself as the most favored artist in most favored artist in Rome. He was Rome. He was commissioned to paint commissioned to paint portraits, devotional portraits, devotional subjects, and the Pope's subjects, and the Pope's private rooms; he also private rooms; he also designed tapestries.designed tapestries.

Renaissance Art ContinuedRenaissance Art ContinuedMichelangelo Buonarroti Michelangelo Buonarroti Italian, painting done Italian, painting done about 1530 about 1530

sculptor, painter, sculptor, painter, draftsman, architect, and draftsman, architect, and poet, and Italy's most poet, and Italy's most famous artist. More than famous artist. More than anyone, Michelangelo anyone, Michelangelo elevated the status of the elevated the status of the artist above the level of artist above the level of craftsman. His deeply felt craftsman. His deeply felt religious convictions were religious convictions were manifested in his art. For manifested in his art. For him, the body was the him, the body was the soul's prison. By using soul's prison. By using movement, monumental movement, monumental forms, and gesture to forms, and gesture to express spiritual urges, he express spiritual urges, he opened up new artistic opened up new artistic avenues. (The Getty avenues. (The Getty website)website)

Painting titled, “The Holy Family” - Black and red chalk with pen and brown Painting titled, “The Holy Family” - Black and red chalk with pen and brown ink over stylus; black and brown ink “ - Michelangeloink over stylus; black and brown ink “ - Michelangelo

How to Look at ArtHow to Look at Art

""We all look at the same things, yet see different We all look at the same things, yet see different things." — Claude Monet things." — Claude Monet

Studying an artistic piece, whether it be a Studying an artistic piece, whether it be a painting, sculptor, tapestry, photograph, etc. is a painting, sculptor, tapestry, photograph, etc. is a skill that requires observation, evaluation, and an skill that requires observation, evaluation, and an eye for color, lines, and texture among other eye for color, lines, and texture among other things. things.

It is necessary to spend several minutes studying It is necessary to spend several minutes studying the artwork you are evaluating in order to be able the artwork you are evaluating in order to be able to absorb the scene and materials used. to absorb the scene and materials used.

““Irise’s”Irise’s”by Van by Van GohhGohh