Tragedy (Take notes on page 1 of your packets) A tragedy is a literary work depicting a protagonist who falls from prosperity to misfortune (riches to rags)  Protagonist=central character/hero The disaster happening to the protagonist is either decided by fate or is the result of personal choices resulting in catastrophe  Catastrophe=disaster

Tragedy The tragic protagonist is superior in courage and dignity but inferior to the forces of nature and society  Nature and society affect the main character The suffering the protagonist endures is exceptional and out of proportion to any wrong committed by him/her  The punishment is much worse than the crime

Tragedy Tragic protagonists do not accept their fate passively even though they seem to be doomed Suffering and calamity (disaster) may extend beyond the protagonist to touch others in the story  The main character is not the only one to suffer The tragedy arouses emotions of pity and terror within the audience

Discussion  Does anyone know the name of the time period when our play was written?  Romeo and Juliet was written in 1595 during the Elizabethan time period.  How many years ago was that?  415 years ago  Does anyone know where this play was written?  England.  Who wrote it?  Shakespeare.

Objective Shakespeare’s life, in England, 415 years ago, was a long time before now, so the time period was very different. Today we are going to focus on what that time period was like.

You are here. England is here.

ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND Elizabethan Life

Historical Figures 1558-Elizabeth I became Queen of England at 25 yrs old Queen Elizabeth died which ended her 45-year reign Benefits-England gained great political power and expanded their culture This English renaissance is directly related to Elizabeth's character and her lengthy reign as queen which is why this time period is known as Elizabethan Period.

Queen Elizabeth

The Queen’s Influence The Queen set the fashion standard for both the wealthy and poor citizens of England Music, drama, and poetry blossomed under the Queen’s praise England experienced a cultural reawakening of art and vision Elizabeth's court attracted the most talented individuals of the era

Literature Literature fell into two categories: poetry and drama. Poetry:  English poets began to make their own variations of the sonnet  Even William Shakespeare varied the rhyme scheme and patterns of the sonnet form to suit his own purposes Drama:  Playwrights increasingly moved their plots from the religious and added in elements such as legend, myth, & drama.  This allowed playwrights to develop plot, theme, complex characters, and poetic language such as in Shakespeare’s tragedies This pushed the English language to new heights of imaginative achievement

Theatres In an era where social classes (low class, middle class and wealthy) did not interact, the theatre was a common activity. Everyone, regardless of social class, enjoyed the Elizabethan theatre Playwrights found themselves writing for diverse audiences which reflected society The most successful playwrights of the day, such as Shakespeare, made certain that their dramas included "something for everybody"  rude jokes, gags, action scenes, and elevated language

The Globe Theatre

Black Plague Plagues devastated Elizabethan England. The most devastating to England was the bubonic plague (black plague). Originated in Central Asia (where it killed 25 million people)  Constantinople  France  Italy  Paris  London Symptoms: Swelling appearing in the armpits, legs, neck, or groin. Victims also suffered a very high fever and delirium If left untreated, plague victims die within two to four days. Theatres often shut down during times where the plague was feared to be likely to spread

The Black Plague

Fashion Culture during this time was developed through Fashion which was used as a form of expression Women were covered completely in ornate gowns Large gold necklaces were worn but very few wore earrings (rich wore pearls) Men wore vest-like shirts that were baggy with buttons down the front and loose fitting shirts underneath Their pants were also baggy and stopped 3 inches above the knee to show-off their stockings

Traditional Wear

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