 The Elizabethan Era is named after the greatest Queens of England - Queen Elizabeth I.  The Elizabethan Period was the age of the Renaissance, of new ideas and new thinking.  Many of England's greatest playwrights were active during her reign, including Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare.

 One of the greatest tools in increasing knowledge and learning - The introduction of the printing press during the Renaissance.  This Era was responsible for the interest in the sciences and new inventions

 During Elizabeth’s reign theater changed.  New dramas were called “Elizabethan Dramas”  Designed to entertain the masses  Plays had religious undertones, but were not designed to teach religion or morality  Contained historical allusions that the audience would understand

 Commoners liked the occasional comedies or the comic relief in serious plays  Called “groundlings” because they paid very little money (a penny) to stand on the ground to watch plays  One ticket would pay for a day at the theater—usually three plays in one day

William Shakespeare

 William Shakespeare was born in1564 April 23  Shakespeare was born and raised in the picturesque Tudor market town of Stratford- on-Avon  Father - John Shakespeare, Merchant and Bailiff and Justice of the Peace  Educated - Grammar School (Kings New School)  1582 November 28, William Shakespeare and Anne Hathwey of Shottery, Stratford were married. They had 3 children together.

 Career - Poet, Playwright, Dramatist and Actor  —completely missing from any historical records  Believed to have left his home and traveled with a traveling drama troupe performing at carnivals and fairs all over England and Scotland  The next records of him show him in London. He never lived at home with his family again

 1594—records indicate Shakespeare was in London–Joins “The Lord Chamberlain’s men”– Acted in the Rose Theater  1598—Shakespeare and his troupe build “The Globe  The Globe- Nicknamed “The Wooden O” because it was not rectangular but oval in shape–Could hold people

 Hamlet  Midsummer nights dreams  Romeo and Juliet  Othello  Merchant of Venice  Julius Caesar  Twelfth night  Macbeth

 Betrayal  Ignorance  Power  Jealousy  Honor  Guilt  Love

 anon—right now, OR “I come right away”……. “Anon, good nurse! Speak!”  art—are, OR skill……“Thou art dead; no physician’s art can save you.”  dost or doth—does or do……“Dost thou know the time?”  ere—before……“We must leave ere daybreak.”  fain—gladly……“I fain would bake Mr. Love cookies if I could get an A.”  fie—an exclamation of dismay or disgust……“You cheated? Fie upon it!” OR “Fie! Are you mad?”

 sirrah—a term of address used for inferiors……“Sirrah, bring the letter over here.”  thee—you……“When will I see thee next?”  thou—you……“Thou art a villain.”  thy—your……“Thy name is more hateful than thy face.”  whence—from where…….. “Whence came that news?” OR “Return to whence you came.”  wherefore—why……“Wherefore dost thou leave?” OR “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” [As in, “why can’t you be someone else, whom my family doesn’t hate?”]