1. Shakespeare’s Impact on the English Language
Olivia Lott, Tiera Brooks, Mckay W. Oneal, Chatham Craven, Katrina Holmes

2. Background Context
This time period was known as the Elizabethan Era. It lasted from 1558 to 1603.
This era is the epoch in the Tudor period of the history of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth l.
Considered the “Golden Age” of English history.
The arts flourished during this time of peace and prosperity, and the English experienced a time of relative political stability, exploration and creativity.
The Nobility (highest class) had a duke, baron, or earl The Gentry such as knights, gentlemen, gentlewoman The Yeomanry (middle class) The Poor
England began to emerge as the leading commercial and naval power of the Western
One of the most important events during this time period was the Attack of the Spanish Armada.
The literary era Shakespeare is most related to is the English Era.

3. Background Context Cont.
The government in England during this era was complicated and made up of three different bodies:
The Monarch
The Privy Council
The Parliament
The Monarch was Queen Elizabeth The Privy Council was the queen’s closest advisors The Parliament was made up of two groups: The House of the Lords 2. The House of the Commons
The Royal Exchange, known as the first stock exchange in England, took place during this era
English Renaissance theatre began with the opening of “The Red Lion” theatre in 1567 (many more theatres opened including “The Curtain” and the famous “Globe Theatre”)

4. About William Shakespeare 1564-1616
William Shakespeare was also known as the Bard of Avon.
He is known as England’s national Poet and considered the greatest dramatist of all time.
He was an English playwright, actor and poet.
The personal life of Shakespeare is a mystery.
The 2 primary sources that provide historians with an outline of his life:
His plays, poems, and sonnets,
Official documents such as church and court records.

5. Shakespeare’s Impact on English Language
The English language did not have a standard written form during Shakespeare’s life, just regional differences.
He revolutionized 2 areas of literature: poetry and drama.
He popularized blank verse: Poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter.
Introduced almost 3000 words and idioms to the English Language

7. Have you quoted Shakespeare?
Words Shakespeare created:
Excellent Hurry Eyeball Lonely Fashionable Gloomy Elbow Puppy-dog Majestic Savage Lonely Uncomfortable
Phrases Shakespeare created:
‘Vanish into thin air’ ‘All of a sudden’ ‘Break the ice’ ‘Love is blind’ ‘Lie low’ ‘Catch a cold’

8. Questions To Ponder
Where would the English Language be today without the impact of Shakespeare?
Do you use words created by Shakespeare on a daily basis?
Are Shakespeare’s works written in Old English?

9. Work Cited
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