Elizabethan Chain of Being The “chain of life” stands as one of the most important and long-lasting ideas in the history of humankind. It can still be seen today. It governed how the Elizabethans saw their world and the decisions that they made. This is the “key” to understanding Shakespeare! God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”

The “ECB” – elements of the chain Arrows – Two “pulls” – Up: toward godly and heavenly – Down: indicates the “fall” toward evil and more basic elements of life The “Will line” – Represents man’s free will – it moves God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”

The “ECB” – higher powers God – Pure being – Ideal place for all people; humans cannot achieve – Kings, princes, dukes are placed in this category (represent God on Earth) – An order from a King = God’s command Angels – Close to perfect, but not quite – Perfect intelligence and understanding – Often appear in plays to show the moral or “right” thing to do Ghosts! God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”

The “ECB” – good humankind Humankind – Flawed – Try to be good, but often fail – Lowest in “humankind” category: clown/ fool – When characters are good, they have pure souls and are using understanding and reason to make decisions. God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”

The “ECB” – bad humankind Sensory – Using the five senses to make decisions Passion – Letting one’s emotions control decisions (anger) Lust – Physical desires – Lowest emotion for humankind to possess God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”

The “ECB” – four-legged friends Animals – Survival of the fittest – Uses senses because they lack reasoning skills – Order of animals like food chain Like lions to worms Four-legs to no-legs – Servants were thought of as animals Some important (lions) Some not (worms) God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”

The “ECB” – the plants Plants – Plants simply are and can’t think for themselves – Fruits are highest in “plant” order, herbs were lowest – Peasants were thought to be in this category God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”

The “ECB” – it rocks Stones – Indicate mere existence – Diamond was highest on “stone” chain – Common stones (pebbles) lowest in category – No human fit here God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”

The “ECB” – body talk Even the human form fits into the ECB: – Insult “By my heel I care not!” – Compliment Wisdom comes from brain, not from feet or from passion God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line”