The Elizabethan Age and
Shakespeare
Gifted English I
The Time and What It Stood For
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This period is associated with Queen Elizabeth I’s reign
(1558-1603).
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England during this period had a centralized, wellorganized, and effective government. They were also
greatly profiting from trade with the colonies.
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This age – also known as the English Renaissance -- is
considered the GOLDEN AGE in English history
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----- literature, poetry, and theatre all broke away from
the past and expanded in new creative directions.
The Elizabethan Mindset
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The Protestant Reformation, the people focused
more on humanism than religion as the subject
of their writing. The arts became incredibly
important at this time.
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Women were relatively unrestrained, torture and
persecution were at an all-time low, the borders
were open to travelers from other countries.
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Travel and exploration were important and most
new inventions were related to travel of some
sort.
Elizabethan Theatre
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Mystery plays – complex retellings of
legends formed from biblical stories
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University drama – recreated Greek
tragedies
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Masque plays – told of ethics and myths…
included singing, dancing, and elaborate
costumes.
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Tour troupes – groups of professional “players”
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These groups were first seen as vagabonds and
the law tried to make them stop performing.
But they became immensely popular. The
miracle plays and masques died out.

Tour troupes received better and better funding
as Queen Elizabeth I showed her enthusiasm for
them.
who traveled to perform. They were funded by
wealthy patrons.
William Shakespeare

‘Baptized’ 26 April 1564 in
his hometown:
Stratford-upon-Avon.

England’s National Poet
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At 18 he married Anne
Hathaway, who bore him
three children: Susanna, and
twins Hamnet and Judith.
William Shakespeare

While in his twenties, Shakespeare lived in
London and was a successful actor, writer, and
part owner of a playing company called the Lord
Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's
Men.

His early plays were comedies and histories. His
later plays were mostly tragedies. His final
works were tragicomedies, or romances, like The
Tempest.
The Shakespeare Website/PPT
Research Project
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You will create a powerpoint presentation of at
least 8 slides (or a website) about the
Elizabethan era:
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Use at least three sources. One must be a book
(NO WIKIPEDIA!). At least 10 summary cards
should also be included.
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*Consider each PPT slide as a paragraph of a
normal research paper!! Pick your focus, give
evidence, and analyze/reflect! You must have a
title slide and a works cited slide.
Research Topics
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The Family
Crime and Punishment
Gender Roles
Education
Theatre
Sports and Leisure Activities
Clothing
Food and Nutrition
Sickness and Health Care
Science and Superstition
Art and Architecture
The Social Classes
Town Life vs. Country Life
Religion and the Church
Politics and The Government
The Globe Theatre
Quick Research on Elizabethan
England

When did Queen Elizabeth I come into power?
How long was she in power? Who was her
father? Who succeeded her? What was her reign
like?

Describe the religious climate during this time.
What was the main religion at the time? What
were some of the changes (reformation) that
took place in religion at the time?

Describe the daily life of a peasant? A noble?
What was the status/role of women within this
era?