The English Renaissance Critical Thinking Questions—ANSWERS
Write 1 to 2 paragraphs on each of the following questions:
1. Based on the values that people held during the English Renaissance, what do you think
was the purpose for attending a play, such as Romeo and Juliet? Was it to be
entertained? Was it to learn something? Was it to obey church officials? How do you feel
about attending plays? Do you like them? Are they boring to you? Why do you think
people attend plays today, and how is this similar or different from what motivated people
during the English Renaissance to attend plays?
Sample answer: Since people of the English Renaissance wanted individuals to think for
themselves instead of being told what was right and wrong by the church, they probably
didn’t attend plays to obey church officials. Playwrights of the time explored themes of
good and bad, so it was probably entertaining to see characters act both extremes and
also a learning experience to see how characters figured out how their actions impacted
their communities. I like plays, and I think people attend them today to see something
different, to get out of the house, to get away from TV and computers. Plays seem old
fashioned, in a way, and there is a thrill of seeing something in person and live. People of
the Renaissance probably were excited to see live performances just as people of today
are, but they probably relied on plays as one of the major sources of entertainment,
which we today do not.
2. Can you think of another era that could be characterized as a rebirth? Think about the
time period during which your parents or grandparents grew up. Were any of them
hippies during the 1960s? What do you already know about the Hippie Generation? What
kind of art was produced during this time? How did people’s beliefs and actions change?
Were any church or government authorities thought of as corrupt? If you need to, ask
your parents or grandparents about the social, political, and artistic ideas and movements
of that era, or look up the topic in your library or online. Then write about why or why not
you would characterize this era as a renaissance.
Sample answer: Here’s what I already know about the 1960s: some people call this a
time of “social revolution” or “counter-culture.” The civil rights movement was very strong
in this decade. There were many assassinations of leaders, such as Martin Luther King,
Jr., President Kennedy, and his brother Senator Robert Kennedy. “Hippies” were known
to question authority, and public marches for gay rights, women’s rights, and other
minorities were popular. There were many protests against the Vietnam War. This
influenced music of the time: many folk singers wrote about peace. There were also
psychedelic artworks and movies that reflected the rebellious youth movement. Sex and
violence became more common in both. There was a lot of upheaval during this era, and
people became less trustful of those in authority. For example, after the Kent State
shootings, police officers were thought to have been too forceful, and people referred to
them as “pigs.” There was also great controversy over who shot President Kennedy.
There was much violence surrounding the civil rights movement. I think I would
characterize this era as a renaissance because people’s attitudes and beliefs changed,
and there were changes in society, such as in popular music, movies, and art, as a result.