Shakespeare & The Renaissance

History Timeline Middle Ages (Medieval)- 500-1500A.D. *”Dark Ages”= decline in the arts, learning, population, & economy in Europe * Romeo & Juliet occurs in the 1300s Renaissance- 1500-1600 A.D. *Renaissance = rebirth *a new time for rediscovery & enlightenment * Shakespeare was born in 1564 in England

Bubonic Plague or Black Death Plague *starts in Asia & spreads during Middle Ages & Renaissance * occurs during Shakespeare’s time-mentioned in R&J *infected fleas transmitted to rodents & humans by biting them * poor affected most-came into contact with rodents *results= enlarged, infected lymph node called buboes *caused millions of deaths; 1/3 of Europe dies * “Ring around a Rosie”- musical allusion to the plague *first forms of biological warfare with dead bodies *society thought it was a punishment from God

Renaissance Customs Parents & Marriage *families were ruled by strong fathers: children must obey *wealthy fathers arranged marriages: girls often married at age 12 *fathers arranged a dowry (money or valuables) to the groom *wives were expected to produce a son, so the family name would continue *divorce is frowned on for the wealthy poorer classes would abandon their marriage & remarry (bigamy)

Renaissance Customs Influence of Astrology *physicians would look at horoscope to diagnose or treat patients *prologue mentions “star-crossed lovers” Nurses *considered to be a nanny (most were poor) who raised children from wealthy families *usually had a stronger emotional bond with children than parents Dueling *rapiers- most common weapon; duels were a respected way to defend honor Health & Medicine *apothecaries- modern day pharmacist; lowest form of doctor Religion *Roman Catholic- dominant religion *Friars (priests) gave up possessions & lived simple life at a monastery

Queen Elizabeth I *Mom= Anne Boleyn Dad= King Henry VIII *dad executed mom when he wanted to remarry & produce a son *Older siblings died; no male heir; Elizabeth becomes Queen of England *Never marries; called “The Virgin Queen” *loves the arts (theatre, music, art, etc.) *Shakespeare was able to produce many plays because the Queen enjoyed them & wanted to see them performed

Globe Theatre *built in 1599 in London by Shakespeare’s theatre company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men *first professional theatre ever built in England *the original Globe Theatre was moved for 2 reasons: 1) city council thought it was unsafe/ crimes were committed (pick-pocketing, prostitution) 2) church leaders claimed that more people attended theatres than church- lack of family values & morals *torn down & moved outside of London walls * in 1613 Globe burns down from a misfired cannon on stage that caught fire to wooden beams: a new one is rebuilt the following year * modern day replica version is rebuilt in 1997 and now called Shakespeare’s Globe

Map of Italy

Verona Today

Verona Today

Film Adaptions

Shakespeare’s Epitaph (inscribed words on grave)