Shakespeare, The Elizabethan Time Period and The English Renaissance

Shakespeare began his career in the theater during the ELIZABETHAN AGE. -Reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603) -“Golden Age” in English history -Elizabeth-strong supporter of the arts (literature, painting, sculpture, theater and music) -Artists of all types held in high esteem

Elizabethan Drama -Elizabethan plays were either tragedies or comedies Comedy- “begins with trouble and ends with peace” -rise of an individual -solutions provided to problems by end of play -humor, characters who looked and acted funny

Elizabethan Drama continued … Tragedy- “play that begins calm and ends with violence” -fall of an individual or individuals -usually ends with death -realistic sword fights and bloody death scenes *(actors wore pig bladders filled with red liquid that flowed like blood when actors were “stabbed”)

Elizabethan Drama continued … Dialogue: two or more people having a conversation Monologue: one person talking, someone else is listening Soliloquy: one person all alone is speaking

English Renaissance -Early 1400’s – early 1600’s? -movement away from the darkness, barbarism and superstition -European scholars interested in studying the world around them -Renaissance- French word meaning “rebirth”

English Renaissance continued … -Beginning of modern history -Began in northern Italy and then spread through Europe. -Italian cities became centers of trade between Europe and the Middle East -Ideas exchanged along with goods.

English Renaissance continued … -The Renaissance influenced painting, sculpture, and architecture. -Paintings became more realistic and focused less often on religious topics. -Artists begin showing nature and depicting the feelings of people. -Humanism- philosophical movement focusing on man, his dignity and his worth (purpose)