Intro to the English Renaissance and Shakespeare

1. The English Renaissance
and William Shakespeare
How The Great Bard Was Born

2. “He was not
of an age,
but for
all time”
Ben Johnson on William Shakespeare

3. William Shakespeare
• The most famous
writer in history
• Just as influenced by
the culture he was
born into as he
influences modern
culture.
• In learning about his
life and reading his
works, we learn
about ourselves and
about human nature.

4. The Renaissance Period

5. The Renaissance Period
• Renaissance literally means “rebirth”
Rebirth of classical literature and art forms
• A Renaissance occurs when life is good (people are
not fighting for survival)

6. English Renaissance
• Occurred between 1400-1600 A.D.
• Began with Henry VIII and ended
with King James I
• Highest point occurred during Queen
Elizabeth I’s reign
• Courtiers (professional kiss-ups)
were very important
• Social classes were strictly enforced

7. Social Mobility
• During this time period, it was nearly
impossible to rise above your birth—
if you were born a peasant, you died
a peasant.
• Family name and nobility were very
important
• One way to try and rise above your
birth was through the practice of
patronage—though how far you
could rise was pre-determined by
your family name.

8. English Reformation and Renaissance
THE TUDORS

9. Henry Viii
• From the Tudor line
• Had SIX wives: Catherine of
Aragon(divorced), Anne Boleyn(beheaded),
Jane Seymore (died), Ann of
Cleves(divorced), Kathryn Howard
(beheaded), Katherine Parr (survived)
• Divorced the Catholic Church in order to
marry his mistress
• Wanted a male heir - beheaded women who
could not produce a male heir.
• Fathered two daughters (Mary and
Elizabeth) and one son (Edward)
• Was Catholic, Protestant, Catholic,
Protestant . .

10. Prince Edward
• The sole male heir to Henry’s throne
• He was Protestant and upheld this
faith in the country once in power
• Was ill and died shortly after gaining
the throne
• Left behind no heir
(too young to do so)

11. Bloody Mary
• After Edward’s short reign and early
death, Mary took the English throne.
• Devoutly Catholic and looking to
vindicate her mother (Henry’s first
wife), Mary vowed to wipe out
Protestantism.
• Ordered the mass execution of
Protestants to restore the Catholic
faith.
• Died of cancer

12. Queen Elizabeth I
• “Bastard” Queen, daughter of Henry VIII and
Anne Boleyn
• Was both acknowledged and disowned by
her father when he was alive
• Devoutly Protestant
• “Virgin Queen”—never married, used her
feminine wiles to gain and maintain power
• The art of flirtation became a lucrative
enterprise during her reign
• Encouraged poetry and theater
• Powerful, wise, and important monarch
• Sustained many plots against her life

13. King James I
• Was Queen Elizabeth’s
Godson, inherited her throne.
• Patron of theater—
Shakespeare’s King’s Men
were his favorite acting
troupe.
• Solidified the Protestant faith
with the creation of the King
James Bible

14. What does this have to do with Shakespeare????

15. The Italian
William Shakespeare
Renaissance
was born while
influenced the Elizabeth was Queen
English and became wealthy
Renaissance through King James I
Henry VIII is the King at the start of
the English Renaissance, his
children ruled during most of this
period, the era ended soon after all
of his children were dead

16. Video on Elizabeth I