The Renaissance, The Tudor Reign, & William Shakespeare

The Renaissance

“Rebirth” Marked changes in people’s values, beliefs, behaviors, etc. Renewed interest in classical learning, science, nature, art, literature “Renaissance Man” What was the Renaissance?

Renaissance Literature Humanism - intellectual movement valuing the inherent good in humans and a celebration, of sorts, of human ability and accomplishments. Sought to answer these questions: What is a human being? What is a good life? How do I lead a good life? Looked to the Bible and the classics to answer these questions John Gutenberg invented moveable type and 1st printing press Transformed the way information was exchanged

The Reformation A movement to break with the Catholic church A rejection of the Pope’s authority Religious ideas based on personal understanding of the Bible

The Tudor Reign & Shakespearean England

Shakespearean England  Tudor Nobles  Henry VIII  His six wives  Edward VI  Bloody Mary  Lady Jane Grey  Mary, Queen of Scots  Elizabeth I Tudor Rose from

Henry VIII Henry VIII is most popular because of his six wives A true “Renaissance Man”— wrote poetry, played many instruments, champion athlete and hunter, supported humanist thought Created the Anglican Church, and divorced England from the Catholic Church He desperately wanted a strong male heir for his throne, but his legacy was carried on by his daughters.

The Wives of Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Marriage annulled Mother of Mary Anne Boleyn Beheaded at the Tower of London Mother of Elizabeth Jane Seymour Died after the birth of Edward Henry’s favorite

Anne of Cleves Marriage dissolved No children Kathryn Howard 19 years old Beheaded at the Tower of London for adultery Katherine Parr Caretaker of Henry Outlived him

Edward VI Son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour Crowned king at the age of 10 Died at the age of 16

Lady Jane Grey Duke of Northumberland attempted to place her on the throne after Edward VI’s death There was little support After nine days as queen, Lady Jane was executed at the Tower of London

Bloody Mary Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon Sought to restore Catholic religion to England Had two ‘phantom’ pregnancies Executed 275 Protestants at the Tower of London by burning them at the stake Knew she was ill and wanted Mary, Queen of Scotland to reign in order to restore Catholicism Imprisoned Elizabeth in the Tower of London Finally relented to allow Elizabeth to take the crown after her death Buried in Westminster Abbey next to Elizabeth Photo and signature from

Mary, Queen of Scots Cousin to Mary I and Elizabeth Betrothed to Edward, Henry VIII’s son Crowned queen before her first birthday Married to Francis, king of France at age 15 Was believed to be the next queen after Mary I’s death in Married Lord Darnley at age 22, who murdered her secretary in front of her to cause her to miscarry and die. Gave birth to James VI Was accused in 1586 of plotting to kill Elizabeth Executed by Elizabeth in 1587 Photo and signature from

Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Protestant Became Queen after her sister’s death Executed Mary, Queen of Scots Created the English Empire Virgin Queen Photo and signature from

Defeat of the Spanish Armada King Philip of Spain used Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution as an excuse to invade England England’s Royal Navy was assisted by bad weather on the Irish Sea This victory assured England’s and all of Northern Europe’s independence from powerful Catholic countries Under Elizabeth’s rule, a newly Protestant nation conquered a long-standing Catholic nation England became strongest shipping fleet and Navy in the world Showed world that a female ruler could be strong Brought out enormous sense of pride in being English (British) and speaking English

The Language The Great Vowel Shift New ideas needed new words Words borrowed from countries they traded with

William Shakespeare Lived from Grew up 60 miles from London Intended to be an actor Original thinker—began writing to bring up new plays New plays were so popular that he was asked to write more Financially secure— retired during the height of his success

London

Boyhood in Stratford-Upon-Avon Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford- Upon-Avon Parents John and Mary Arden Shakespeare Seven brothers and sisters Grammar School from age 7 to 13 (King’s New School) Studied Latin grammar, literature, and rhetoric.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

William Shakespeare’s Home

Marriage and Life in London 1582 at age 18 married Anne Hathaway (8 years older) who was pregnant She gives birth to twins- Hamnet & Judith “The lost years” 1592 (28 years old) went to London (left Anne and 3 children) actor and playwright Lord Chamberlain’s Men Plague

Shakespeare Prospers 1598 built Globe Theatre Owned shares in it Father granted a coat-of-arms Gentlemen

Shakespeare’s Influence Introduced violence to the stage in a very violent society Instrumental in organizing powerful acting groups—part owner in several theatres

Honored as Actor and Playwright Queen Elizabeth dies in 1603 King James I takes the throne Shakespeare’s Theatre company (Lord Chamberlain’s Men) becomes the King’s Men

Secrets of the Sonnets 154 Sonnets, 60 songs Love, broken trust of friend, loss of love, forgiveness friend, dark lady, rival poet

Elizabeth defines the era

Elizabeth I Symbolizes the Age Queen Elizabeth Glory of England To people, she represented beauty and greatness one of the most powerful countries in the world

Shakespeare as an Elizabethan Queen Elizabeth reigned ( ) Emerging from the Middle Ages into the Renaissance Age was extravagant and brutal elaborate, ornate clothing, language and manners language was growing fast middle class (stern, moral, and independent)

Drama in the Elizabethan Age After defeating the Spanish Armada, England became intensely interested in the past. (Patriotic) Historical plays thrived. Playwrights were practical men, bent on making a living Plays were written to be acted, not read. Once a playwright sold his manuscript, he had no personal right to it.

The Elizabethan Theater Round, wooden, roofless building Three galleries of seats Pit (no seats) cost a penny “groundlings” Main stage 40 feet wide 27 feet projection into the pit Thrust stage Recessed inner stage (curtains and balcony) Heaven and a Hell

The Stage Influences on Shakespeare’s Methods No women actors (women played by boys) Closeness of different classes

Death and Burial at Stratford 1610 retired from theatre 1612 returns to Stratford and lives a prosperous life because of his investments mostly in real estate Globe theatre burns down lost much money but still wealthy helps rebuild Globe theatre Dies on April 23, 1616 at age 52 Buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford

Shakespeare’s Grave

Tragedy A serious play or drama typically dealing with the problems of a central character, leading to an unhappy or disastrous ending brought on, as in ancient drama, by a fate and a tragic flaw in this character, or in modern drama, usually by moral weakness, psychological maladjustment or social pressures.

Tragic Hero A person of high rank who is brought to eventual ruin by a flaw in his/her character. Example: Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his ambition which leads him into a series of bloody and increasingly indefensible acts.

Macbeth Written and performed around 1606 Based on the Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1577) by Raphael Holinshed Strong connection to King James I and his Scottish ancestry.

Macbeth continued King James I was a strict Protestant, and his beliefs fueled his interest in witchcraft, which he thought was evil. Rightful kings are appointed by God. Shakespeare’s shortest play.

Works Cited All pictures from one of the following sites: um/map-england.html Tudor_index.htm