Tragedy(Take notes on page 1 of your packets)A tragedy is a literary work depicting a

protagonist who falls from prosperity to misfortune (riches to rags) Protagonist=central character/hero

The disaster happening to the protagonist is either decided by fate or is the result of personal choices resulting in catastrophe Catastrophe=disaster

TragedyThe tragic protagonist is superior in

courage and dignity but inferior to the forces of nature and society Nature and society affect the main character

The suffering the protagonist endures is exceptional and out of proportion to any wrong committed by him/her The punishment is much worse than the crime

TragedyTragic protagonists do not accept their

fate passively even though they seem to be doomed

Suffering and calamity (disaster) may extend beyond the protagonist to touch others in the story The main character is not the only one to

sufferThe tragedy arouses emotions of pity

and terror within the audience

Discussion Does anyone know the name of the time

period when our play was written? Romeo and Juliet was written in 1595 during the

Elizabethan time period. How many years ago was that?

415 years agoDoes anyone know where this play was

written? England.

Who wrote it? Shakespeare.

ObjectiveShakespeare’s life, in

England, 415 years ago, was a long time before now, so the

time period was very different. Today we are going to focus on what that time period was like.

You are here.

England is here.

ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND 1558-1603

Elizabethan Life

Historical Figures1558-Elizabeth I became Queen of England at 25 yrs old

1603- Queen Elizabeth died which ended her 45-year reign

Benefits-England gained great political power and expanded their culture

This English renaissance is directly related to Elizabeth's character and her lengthy reign as queen which is why this time period is known as Elizabethan Period.

Queen Elizabeth

The Queen’s Influence

The Queen set the fashion standard for both the wealthy and poor citizens of England

Music, drama, and poetry blossomed under the Queen’s praise

England experienced a cultural reawakening of art and vision

Elizabeth's court attracted the most talented individuals of the era

LiteratureLiterature fell into two categories: poetry and drama.Poetry:

English poets began to make their own variations of the sonnet Even William Shakespeare varied the rhyme scheme and patterns

of the sonnet form to suit his own purposes

Drama: Playwrights increasingly moved their plots from the religious and

added in elements such as legend, myth, & drama. This allowed playwrights to develop plot, theme, complex

characters, and poetic language such as in Shakespeare’s tragedies

This pushed the English language to new heights of imaginative achievement

TheatresIn an era where social classes (low class, middle

class and wealthy) did not interact, the theatre was a common activity.

Everyone, regardless of social class, enjoyed the Elizabethan theatre

Playwrights found themselves writing for diverse audiences which reflected society

The most successful playwrights of the day, such as Shakespeare, made certain that their dramas included "something for everybody" rude jokes, gags, action scenes, and elevated

language

The Globe Theatre

Black PlaguePlagues devastated Elizabethan England. The

most devastating to England was the bubonic plague (black plague).

Originated in Central Asia (where it killed 25 million people) Constantinople France Italy Paris London

Symptoms: Swelling appearing in the armpits, legs, neck, or groin. Victims also suffered a very high fever and delirium

If left untreated, plague victims die within two to four days.

Theatres often shut down during times where the plague was feared to be likely to spread

The Black Plague

FashionCulture during this time was developed through

Fashion which was used as a form of expressionWomen were covered completely in ornate gownsLarge gold necklaces were worn but very few

wore earrings (rich wore pearls)Men wore vest-like shirts that were baggy with

buttons down the front and loose fitting shirts underneath

Their pants were also baggy and stopped 3 inches above the knee to show-off their stockings

Traditional Wear

The Endhttp://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/

springfield/eliz/elizabethanengland.html