William Shakespeare historical and social context Work of Salvatore Morelli Maria Teresa Capasso Filomena Chiacchio Carmine Cirotto Maria Pia De Cristofaro Antonella Damiano

The historical and social context Elizabeth I Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, declared tolerance of the Puritans and forbade Catholicism. For political reasons she rather diminished the number of ecclesiastical and increased the power of Commons. Elizabeth did enrich the English crown and, with help of corsairs, unexpectedly she won almost impossible fights against the Spanish fleet. Throughout the Elizabethan age craft and manufacturing activities received a great impetus and the power of the military and merchant fleet of the country was strengtened too. And in this prosperous period for England lived William Shakespeare, whose greatest work is undoubtedly Romeo and Juliet

The biography William Shakespeare was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon and baptized there on 26th April 1564. He was child of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Shakespeare was probably educated at the King’s New School. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna and the twins Hamnet and Judith. He was an actor, poet and playwright, widely considered as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He was often called England’s national poet. His works consist in 38 plays, 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems. Among his most important works are: Romeo and Juliet, Dream of a Midsummer Night, Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth, The Tempest. He died on 23rd April 1616.

Technical part: Salvatore Morelli Historical and social context: Filomena Chiacchio and Carmine Cirotto, with the help of Salvatore Morelli The biography: Maria Teresa Capasso Images: Maria Teresa Capasso and Maria Pia De Cristofaro