1. Shakespeare & The Renaissance

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

3. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

9. 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

11. 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

15. Map of Italy

16. Verona Today

17. Verona Today

18. Film Adaptions

19. Shakespeare’s Epitaph (inscribed words on grave)