, Research Paper
The Spirit of Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Times
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, English culture was at its greatest. England during the Elizabethan Age saw a rebirth of literature, in large part because of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare?s writings had all the characteristics of Elizabethan life.
The Elizabethan Age (1558-1603) was called so, because of the length of Queen Elizabeth?s reign. It was also called the age of Shakespeare (1569-1616) because of his influence on literature during that time.
These were lively, energetic times, during which there was a cultural Renaissance. Queen Elizabeth loved drama and poetry and because of that, many writers during her rule were able to do well and also receive financial support from the wealthy.
These times also had many social classes. These social classes usually would never have mixed. But because of the theatre, all kinds of people came together. ?Playwrights found themselves writing for highly diverse audiences which reflected the ever changing make up and energy of society?
Shakespeare?s dramas had to be written in a way so that the subject matter would appeal to a wide audience. ?The most successful playwrights of the day, such as Shakespeare, made certain that their dramas included ?Something for everybody?.?
The people during Elizabethan times were hungry for information. This eagerness to know about everything that was going on at the moment was because the Queen had made the people feel very close to her and to her government. Shakespeare, who understood instinctively what this meant, used his plays as way to inform the public about everything from social issues to politics, but of course he did it in a very amusing and interesting way. ?-this was a fiercely individualistic people who felt connected, through the peculiarly populist instincts of the Queen and government, with events.?
For the Elizabethans, and for Shakespeare, war was a very scary thing. But it also had an exciting quality to it. ?Shakespeare, simplifies military leaders, emphasizing their headline appeal. Endowing them with his wit, his popular easy power, his gift of imagery, he makes them versions or copies of himself, reflecting his own observation and experience of war.? Shakespeare would show all sides of the war in his historical plays, without revealing too much of what actually went on, on the inside.
The Elizabethans had also discovered the Greek and Roman classics. New versions were made, so that they could be acted out on stage. Shakespeare had seen these new versions of Greek and Roman tragedies and comedies. He recognized many similarities to what was going on in the English royalty family. ?Family passion, revenge, envy, all the local, domestic springs of popular and entertaining plays, were the generative forces of world politics.? Shakespeare was able to transform and adapt all of these emotions into his plays.
At some point during Queen Elizabeth?s time in power, there was a great deal of religious tension. The Church of England had been established. Not wanting to offend anybody, Elizabeth aimed to bring Protestants and Catholics together. These were years when the people were unsure which way to go spiritually or politically. ?Queen Elizabeth?s remarkable reign was a balancing act between opposing forces in these arenas, but she could do little to reconcile the real differences.? Shakespeare was definitely in that respect also a product of his time. On the outside he conformed but on the inside he felt the religious confusion of his era. ?He had always remained as much a competitive nationalist as an inwardly persuaded Catholic. He delighted in playing to the chauvinist crowd-which did not itself care much either way in the great religious divide.? These were spiritual times, which Shakespeare would convey in his literary works.
Shakespeare really showed us what the spirit of the Elizabethan times was. ?He created the most vivid characters of the Elizabethan- or any other-stage . His usage of language , both lofty and low ,shows remarkable wit and subtlety. Most importantly, his themes are so universal that they transcend generations to stir the imagination of audiences everywhere to this day.?
These were times of prosperity and optimism, which influenced all of the cultural aspects of this period, in addition to of course the literary works.. This was a time of constant changes. ?No ivory tower poet , he was quick to catch and assimilate a new voice.?
Shakespeare was able to identify what the people were feeling and thinking and show it in his literary works. He always tried to keep his audience delighted, and keep their imaginations going. He was very observant and completely understood the human condition of the Elizabethan Age.
Bibliography
shakespeare by olivia krinton
Другие работы по теме:
Shakespeare In Love Essay Research Paper Modern
Shakespeare In Love Essay, Research Paper Modern theatre still falls more or less in the category of popular culture, it is the cinema that equates more to the Elizabethan drama than the theatre. Thus it is a film Shakespeare in love, that we see exploring a fictional depiction of the life of William Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare Essay Research Paper William ShakespeareEnglish
William Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper William Shakespeare English 8 Moira Triste An English dramatist and poet, by the name of William Shakespeare, has touched society from the Elizabethan age, to Generation Next. His manifold achievements and literary dominance range from a mesmerising number of published plays, and a renowned theatre company, to merely two narrative poems.
Machiavellian Philosophy In King Lear Essay Research
Paper Machiavelli s ideas influence some of Shakespeare s characters in the play, King Lear. To use the critic A. P. Rossiter s phrase, Shakespeare s plays are about, the survival of the slickest. The characters in King Lear that reflect the Machiavellian philosophy are the two sisters, Goneril and Regan, and the son of Gloucester, Edmund.
Annotated Glossary Essay Research Paper William Shakespeare
Annotated Glossary Essay, Research Paper William Shakespeare is a remarkable example of a Renaissance man. He is considered to be one of the greatest writers of his time and ours. Shakespeare also is admired for his remarkable playwright skills for his time. This man?s plays have been redone more times than any other author.
This Essay Aims To Explore The Elizabethan
Perception Of The “Unnaturalness” Of The Marriage Between Othello And Desdemona In The Shakespeare Play “Othello” Essay, Research Paper Jas Mudher English Mrs. Southwell 27/10/00
King Lear And Illigetimacy Essay Research Paper
Shakespeare’s treatment of illegitimacy in the play King Lear can be interpreted in many ways depending on the audience. The situation of illegitimacy is portrayed through the relationships of the characters the Earl Of Gloucester and his two sons Edgar and Edmund. Edmund is the illegitimate son while Edgar was born within the law.
Independent Spirit Essay Essay Research Paper There
Independent Spirit Essay Essay, Research Paper There can be a difference between a dependent and independent spirits. Independent spirits can be found in everyone and how your independent spirit can help others.
Midsummer Nights Dream
—sort Paper On Women Essay, Research Paper ?A Midsummer Night?s Dream?: I think something very interesting in this play is the way in which woman were seen in Elizabethan England during Shakespeare?s day. The play gives numerous examples of the way woman are treated as second class citizens; for instance, the laws concerning marriage and the position of men in society.
Techniques Of William Shakespeare Essay Research Paper
Writing Style The English language, as we know it in the modern world has changed dramatically since the dawn of the Elizabethan era. Shakespeare and many other writer’s of his time looked towards the English language as alive and changing. They did not consider it fixed for all time in a set of correct and unbreakable rules.
Nature In Macbeth Essay Research Paper Nature
Nature In Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Nature in Macbeth Macbeth, and all of William Shakespeare’s other works include several universal themes. Shakespeare incorporates these themes into his works to emphasize meanings and points. Several times in Macbeth nature is out of order which coincides with unpleasant events occurring.
A Mini Research Essay On Shakespeare
’s Two Tracegies Essay, Research Paper Shakespeare’s Tragedies Shakespeare’s tragedies are what Shakespeare is most noted for. Tragedies are stories with tragic heroes. Tragic heroes have tragic flaw, a flaw that will lead to their own tragic ending, often times it’s death. Shakespeare’s tragedies include: Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Timon of Athens, Titus Andronicus, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and of course Romeo and Juliet.
Shakespeare Essay Research Paper Shakespeare was a
Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper Shakespeare was a playwright during the Elizabethan era. He wrote many famous plays, many of which are performed today. Shakespeare?s characters, themes and situations of his plays reflect people of the Elizabethan time period, this would make sense because that was the time in which he wrote the plays.
Elizabethan Era Essay Research Paper The Sounds
Elizabethan Era Essay, Research Paper The Sounds of Elizabethan Times The Elizabethan Era was a time when music and art were growing more and more each day. This time period, also known as the English Renaissance, is still well known for its styles and sound of music. Queen Elizabeth herself was a musician, and played both the lute and the virginal.
Spirits And The Supernatural I Essay Research
Paper The Idea of Spirits and the Supernatural You will no doubt notice that ghosts and spirits play a rather large role in Hamlet. Not merely as an oft used character, but also as a main basis for the plotline, and one of the key indications of Hamlet s madness. His dead father s spirit stays on our mortal plane to explain how he did to Hamlet.
Globe Theater Essay Research Paper Globe TheaterTheaters
Globe Theater Essay, Research Paper Globe TheaterTheaters in the time of Shakespeare are quite different from those we have today. The plays had to be performed during daylight hours only and the stage scenery had to be kept very simple with just a table, a chair, a throne, and maybe a tree to symbolize a forest.
William Shakespeare S Sonnet
#18 Essay, Research Paper In William Shakespeare s Sonnet #18 , he compares his feelings towards nature to his beloved. Shakespeare talks about the beauty of a summer day and how it is beautiful to him. He has strong feelings towards the summer s never ending beauty and compares it his love for one particular person.
Hamlet Tragedy Or Not Essay Research Paper
HAMLET TRAGEDY OR NOT? One of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays is “Hamlet: Prince of Denmark”. This play is an excellent example of an Elizabethan tragedy. I will prove this statement by confirming
Critique Of Shakespeare In Love Essay Research
Paper Shakespeare in Love is a fictional movie written about the great writer and poet, William Shakespeare. The story is of a young William Shakespeare barely making ends meet and trying to write a play for the local theatre. However, Shakespeare is suffering from writer’s block, and is seeking inspiration by having a muse.
The Merchant Of Venice Essay Essay Research
Paper William Shakespeare s The Merchant of Venice contains many examples that insult Jews because they were the minority in London in Shakespeare s time. Although many parts of the play could be interpreted as offensive in modern times, Elizabethan audiences found them comical. The majority of London s population at the time was anti-Semitic because there were very few Jews living there.
Julius Caesar A Dead Man
’s Party Essay, Research Paper JULIUS CAESAR: A Dead Man?s Party In Shakespeare?s Julius Caesar, the character of Caesar remains a active force throughout the play, even after his assassination. Caesar is
The Use Of Time In Poetry Milton
, Shakespeare, Wordsworth Essay, Research Paper Throughout the Elizabethan and Romantic era, time and nature are themes that are ever-present in the great poetry of the period. Although the poets presented this idea in different ways, it was clear that time
The Taming Of The Shrew Kate
’s Soliloquy Essay, Research Paper The Taming of the Shrew: Kate’s Soliloquy Kate’s soliloquy bring about a joyous conclusion to The Taming of the Shrew. The audience leaves the theatre with a pleasant feeling, glad that such
Elizabethan Sonnets Essay Research Paper In Elizabethan
Elizabethan Sonnets Essay, Research Paper In Elizabethan Age, the sonnets had advanced into a form with new metric and rhyme scheme that was departing from Petrarchan sonnets. Yet, Elizabethan sonnets still carried the tradition of Petrarchan conceit. Petrarchan conceit was a figure used in love poems consisting detailed yet exaggerated comparisons to the lover’s mistress that often emphasized the use of blazon.
ElizabethanRomeo
&Juliet Essay, Research Paper Elizabethan Theater Elizabethan times in the 1600s was a progression for the world of the theater. A period named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, it is from this period that modern day society has its foundation for the entertainment industry. From the violence that was prevalent because of the Black Death, people turned to the theater for its poetry and romance.
The Elizabethan Theater Essay Research Paper The
The Elizabethan Theater Essay, Research Paper The Elizabethan Theater The Elizabethan theater also known as Elizabethan Playhouses where the first known theaters built only for the pupose of peforming plays. They were built in honor of Queen Elizabeth. Many of these theaters wre built in many different locations.
Hamlet Critical Analysis Essay Research Paper Hamlet
Hamlet Critical Analysis Essay, Research Paper Hamlet s delay in seeking revenge directly correlates to the age in which the play was written along with the notion that Hamlet is brilliant but impatient, these are the reasons for Hamlet s procrastination. His impatience leads to his death in the end.
Elizabethan England Essay Research Paper The age
Elizabethan England Essay, Research Paper The age of Shakespeare was a great time in English history. The reign of Elizabeth (1558 – 1603) saw England emerge as the leading naval and commercial power of the Western world. Elizabeth I’s England consolidated its position with the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and firmly established the Church of England (begun by her father, Henry VIII, after a dispute with the Pope).
Shakespere Salinger
, & Poe Essay, Research Paper William Shakespeare, was one of the greatest, romantic poets of all time, no other author that I am going to write about has ever, or ever will break through to as many people as Shakespeare. It was said that Shakespeare “was not of an age, but for all time,” and that is very true. Shakespeare, the only author in my paper that has not only had his works done in writing, like the others, but his work was performed on stages, and on the silver screen.
Hamlet Essay Research Paper In modern times
Hamlet Essay, Research Paper In modern times many crimes are exacted out of revenge. In the Elizabethan times, things were no different. Often times our feelings of unfairness and anger cloud our reasoning. The play Hamlet is an excellent illustration of this. In the play Hamlet revenge is the driving force behind the conflicts.
Elizabethan Views Of Richard Iii Essay Research
Paper Douglas Starliper 4/18/00 LT. Kullman My Essay on Whether What Richard III did was Right, or Wrong King Richard III, in my opinion, was a greedy, yet determined man who would do whatever it took to achieve the position of king of England. What he did to get to this position was wrong, however, how he went about achieving what he wanted shows that he had intelligence.