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The English Renaissance. Kings, Queens, and Drama. The Beginnings of an Awakening. Renaissance in England happened much later than in Italy Due to: Hundred Years’ War Ended 1453 England vs. France War of the Roses (ended 1485) Lancaster family vs. York family
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The English Renaissance Kings, Queens, and Drama
The Beginnings of an Awakening • Renaissance in England happened much later than in Italy • Due to: • Hundred Years’ War • Ended 1453 • England vs. France • War of the Roses (ended 1485) • Lancaster family vs. York family • Tudor family is accepted as ruler by both
Early Tudor Kings • King Henry VII • Built up trade • Brought peace • King Henry VIII • Encouraged art, literature, music, leisure • Broke away from Catholic Church, started Anglican Church (so he could divorce his wives)
Queen Elizabeth • Crowned in 1588 • Well-traveled and well-educated • English Renaissance peaked during her reign • Many nobles write poetry • Folk music • Nobles copy Italian styles, manners • Theater becomes popular
“I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England.”(Elizabeth to Parliament)
William Shakespeare(1558-1616) • One of the best known English playwrights • Revived Greek comedies and tragedies • Some plays dealt with ancient Roman subjects; many took place in Italy
Shakespeare’s theater • Globe Theater, London • Open air… plays in afternoon • Theater was built in round shape • Simple props and costumes • All male actors • All social classes attended plays; poorer people stood in front
The Globe, reconstructed in London today. The original burned down.
Inside today’s Globe theater. Architects have kept the interior as authentic as possible.
Shakespeare’s contributions • 38 plays, including Macbeth, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet • Poetry and sonnets • Developed iambic pentameter • Popularized theater to nobles and commoners alike
Shakespeare’s contributions: words and phrases • “I’ll not budge an inch.” (from Taming of the Shrew) • “on purpose”(from Comedy of Errors) • “good riddance”(from Trolius and Cressida) • “for goodness’ sake”(from Henry VIII)
Shakespeare’s contributions: words and phrases • Invented over 3,000 (!) English words including: • bedroom • gloomy • swagger • unreal • dawn • lovely
Sources • Human Heritage by Mariam Gleenblatt and Peter Lemmo. • Globe Theater online, www.shakespeares-globe.org • http://shakespeare.about.com/library/weekly/aa042400a.htm • William Shakespeare: Master Playwright. (Calliope World History Series)