Renaissance!

We did a few questions in class about Renaissance and I want to show what I have got written down.

• It is an era in history from around 1500-to the mid 1600's, covers the time when some of the tudors and stuarts were in power!
• Means 'Rebirth' in French
• People were making new discoveries and wanted to learn more about the world.
• 1534 - church of england formed
• 1542 - Mary Queen of Scots lay claim to english throne
• 1544 - Henry VIII invades France
• 1545 - French attempt to invade England
• 1593 - Plague forces theatres to close.
• 1603 - Elizabeth I dies - James I becomes King.
• 1605 - Gunpowder Plot

Around at the time were:

• William Shakespeare
• Ben Jonson
• Christopher Marlow
• James Burbase - built the first purpose built theatre in London in 1576.

Themes/Issues

Shakespeare's Work. 

• two of his plays were lost supposedly, and 38 of them survived.
• they were divided into comedies, tragedies and histories.
• Example: Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Midsummer Nights dream.. they all were either tragedies or comedies. 

Elizabethan Beliefs. 

• The chain of being, cont. 
• The mornach was the highest
• Nobles and churchmen were below
• Gentlemen
• Commoners
• ALL women were considered to be inferior 
• Accepting one's place in the chain was a duty that would be rewarded by god in heaven!
• Myths and magic, cont.
• Fairies, Magic, Witches, Spells, and Prophecies all formed part of their view of life. 
• Folklore and superstition were often as important to people as the official religion taught by the church. 
• It was believed that they could make people go insane. 
• Disasters and Diseases were often blamed on witches also. 

The Elizabethan Theatre. 

Theatre plays were performed outside until around 16th century.  As it grew in size and importance, london became the center of English theatre. 

• The first London theatre was called 'The Theatre' in 1576
• The rose - 1587
• The Swan - 1595

Queen Elizabeth I Loved the Theatre, often held performances of plays at her court.  Shakespeare spent much of his career with a company called Chamberlaines. 

Many companies left london for tours of the countryside.

Hope you enjoy my little facts/ details :)   I need to go and practice monologue more and then I will try and figure what to do on my presentation.

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