The English Renaissance and William ShakespeareHow The Great Bard Was Born

“He was notof an age,

but forall time”

Ben Johnson on William Shakespeare

• The most famous writer

in history

• 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!!

William Shakespeare

The Renaissance Period

The Renaissance Period

• Renaissance literally means “rebirth”Rebirth of classical literature and art forms

• A Renaissance occurs when life is good (people are not fighting for survival)

English Renaissance

• 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

• Courtiers (professional kiss-ups) were very important

• Social classes were strictly enforced

• Theaters thrived but were considered low-class

Social Mobility

• 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.

THE TUDORS

English Reformation and Renaissance

Henry Viii

• 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 - beheaded women who could not produce a male heir.

• Fathered two daughters (Mary and Elizabeth) and one son (Edward)

• Was Catholic, Protestant, Catholic, Protestant . .

Prince Edward

• 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)

Bloody Mary

• 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

Queen Elizabeth 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

King James 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

What does this have to do with Shakespeare????

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

Video on Elizabeth I