The Renaissance and William Shakespeare

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The Renaissance and William Shakespeare

• A Celebration of Humanity
• 1485-1625

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Rebirth in Increments

• The Renaissance affected different aspects of
  life in England at different times. The
  humanistic approach, which is reflected in the
  periods works of art, started in the 1470s.
• Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519), an Italian
  Renaissance painter known for his art and art
  theory, is currently celebrated for his equally
  impressive scientific contributions, which were
  preserved in a mass quantity of his notes.

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Rebirth in Increments

• The parliamentary renaissance did not happen
  until the 1530s.
• The reign of Elizabeth I (Elizabethan Period),
  the Virgin Queen, endured from 1558 till 1603.
• Her rule was marked by religious tolerance (she
  quelled internal hostilities between the
  Catholics and Protestants) and world exploration,
  which set the stage for the British Empire.
• Having no heir, she was succeeded by James VI of
  Scotland (her 3rd cousin), hence James I of
  England (Jacobean Period).

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Parliament

• During Henry VIIIs (1509-1547) reign, Parliament
  and the Crown developed a level of cooperation,
  which set the tone for future parliaments.
• Parliament was and is made up of 2 sections
  called Houses
• The House of Lords (consisting of Church
  officials, lords, and other nobles)
• The House of Commons (consisting of knights of
  shires and burghers of boroughs (prosperous,
  solid citizens)
• Parliamentary Powers pass new taxes/grants,
  pass laws initiated by King/Queen, The Speaker
  (House of Commons) could praise or criticize
  royal policies without punishment, give advice to
  King/Queen on wide range of subjects, enforce
  Kings/Queens policies, but it was Royal
  responsibility to form the policies.

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Ruler and Parliament A Political Body

• Illustrative of Parliaments role in King Henry
  VIIIs reign is found in an excerpt from his
  speech to Parliament in 1543
• We at no time stand so highly in our estimate
  royals as in the time of Parliament, wherein we,
  as head, and you, as members, are conjoined and
  knit together as one body politic.

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A Difference in ViewpointsMedieval and
Renaissance

• Collectivism/Standardization mentality, guilds
  were strong
• Preoccupied with the soul and death
• Feudalism
• In wars, knights were rarely killed foot
  soldiers made up the bulk of the fatalities.
• Church in England the Pope was involved with its
  politics.
• Parliaments primary function was to grant funds
  to the King.

• Exaltation of the individual
• Appreciation of life art, dance and music
  blossomed.
• Nationalism
• Gunpowder was used in warfare it killed knights
  and foot soldiers alike.
• Church of England England became a sovereign
  state.
• Parliament was utilized to enact laws that helped
  enforce government policy.

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Life During the Renaissance

• Customs and Mannerisms were dictated by fashion,
  flirtation, survival, and superstition.
• Men Greeting Men Mucking about on the street,
  people would run into acquaintances. Upper-class
  men might grasp each others right wrist with
  their right hand. Twofold Purpose greeting and
  to occupy the others hand, thus rendering his
  unable to draw or attack and to check for weapons
  up his sleeve.

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Customs and Mannerisms

• Peasants passing on the street might simply nod
  at each other and call out God ye good den or
  God go with you.
• Important People would expect to be treated
  according to their stature or station in life.
  Therefore, one had to be very careful not to
  offend ones betters. However, calling a peasant
  a lord might ensure that he would try his utmost
  to help you along. The rule of the day Speak
  Well, Speak Long, but Dont say anything
  important.
• Women greeted each other with the French Kiss.
  

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16th Century Customs and Mannerisms

• A gentleman would bow to a lady by presenting his
  right leg forward and put his left leg behind.
  Then he would bend his back (left) leg, and bend
  at the hips, keeping his right leg straight. He
  would sweep his arms open as he bowed, making
  sure to keep his head raised, maintaining eye
  contact with the lady.
• Proper response from the lady would be to curtsy
  1st she would place her left leg slightly behind
  her. Then she would lightly grab her skirts and
  bend at the knees, keeping her body straight.
  She would raise her skirts only high enough to
  keep them off the ground. Improper A lady must
  never show her ankles or legs. She, too, would
  keep eye contact with the gentleman. An
  especially dashing or romantically-inclined man
  might then proceed attempt to kiss the ladys
  hand. He would offer his hand, palm facing down.
  She would place her fingers lightly on top of
  his hand if kiss was welcomed. He would kiss
  lightly the ladys middle finger, between the 1st
  and 2nd knuckle, keeping eye contact.

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Economy and Commerce

• Agriculturally Based Economy
• Approximately 45 Nobles (and their families)
• Most English People were Farmers in some capacity
• Chief Livestock Sheep (approximately 3 sheep
  per person)

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Rise of the Middle Class Continues...

• Elizabethan England had two social levels, the
  nobles and the peasants however, there were very
  few noble families, making the vast majority of
  the population peasants.
• The middle class consisted of wealthy merchants,
  lawyers, clerks and master craftsmen. While not
  officially recognized as a new class, these
  people were becoming wealthy and powerful enough
  to make an impact on the economy and the general
  view of society.

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Renaissance Inequality

• Below the middle class were journeymen and
  apprentices to craftsmen, independent traders and
  domestics, as well as traditional agricultural
  occupations.
• Common Belief Ones social status was ordained
  by God, and therefore, it was foolish and
  heretical to complain about it. However, much
  snobbery existed, and one always felt called on
  to lord over anyone lower than oneself.

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Renaissance Shopping

• Shopping was possible in 4 Venues
• The Market--Sponsored by the local lord or squire
  and dealt mostly with food. Held on weekly
  basis.
• The Fair--Fairs were more rare than markets and
  offered a wider variety of goods. Commonly,
  fairs were held in conjunction with a Festival
  (religious holiday).
• In-town Shops--On a daily basis, people could
  obtain goods from these shops and occasionally a
  traveling peddler would drop by.
• Bartering--Bartering was by far the most common
  form of commerce of the period--simple bartering
  among neighbors.

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Some Dos and Donts

• Calf of a mans leg Men took every opportunity
  to show off this physical attribute by wearing
  stockings and short pants. Oftentimes, men would
  stand and present their leg forward, turning
  the foot outward so as to show off their calf,
  hence making a leg.
• Great Scandal Taboo to show affection in
  public-
• Proper Foods meat, bread, dairy, eggs, and a
  few varieties of fruit.
• Dont drink the water Drink small beer, milk,
  and aleonly the very wealthy drank wine.

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The Fork and Education

• Not just the French Kiss, but another new trend
  from France was the use of the fork as an eating
  utensil. While common with nobility, peasants
  continued to eat with their fingers, as they
  feared the forks tines were some sign of the
  devil.

• Common people of this time were usually
  illiterate, so there was a need for someone who
  could read and assist in matters of business.
  The Church was about the only non-noble group who
  routinely educated their people so most villages
  were provided with a clerk to fulfill this
  function.

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Superstitions

• Both peasants and nobles alike believed in evil
  spirits and the power of good luck charms to ward
  them off.
• The noise of bezants (tiny bells or coin-like
  metal disks sewn to clothing) were believed to
  scare away evil.
• People wore crosses or carried Bibles to ward off
  evil.
• People believed in witches and demonic
  possession Make the sign of the cross or cross
  your fingers (making a small cross) at an evil
  person.

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Sports and Pastimes

• Bear-Baiting (cruel but populara bear was tied
  by one hind leg to a tree/post, and hunting dogs
  were turned loose to taunt and attack it until
  the bear was killedspectators placed bets on the
  longevity of certain dogs and the bear)
• Archery (Englishmen between 16 and 60 were
  compelled by law to own a longbow, and target
  practice areas were set up in every villagelike
  jousting, archery was intended to prepare men for
  battle)

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The Longbow

• First used during the Medieval Period, the
  longbow is a long hand-drawn bow, which sometimes
  exceeded 6 feet.

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Sports and Pastimes

• Hunting (Nobility enjoyed hunting as a sportGame
  included hare (rabbits), hind (deer), wolf, wild
  bear, and foxshooting was done with bows and
  arrows, or the prey might be pursued by
  greyhounds)
• Falconry--hunting with a trained raptor
  (Practiced by the upper classes, these birds of
  prey were considered so valuable that they were
  protected by a Royal Edictanyone guilty of
  killing a falcon could be put to death)
• Embroidery/Tapestries (needlework practiced by
  all classes of women--pastime and necessity)

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Popular Entertainment THEATRE

• Traveling troupes of male actors (women were not
  allowed on stage) would visit villages and
  perform on makeshift stages. Actors depended on
  villager generosity for their incomes.
• Other Games dice, chess, backgammon (tables),
  bowling, bocci ball, and cards.

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Titles

• Mlord or Mlady (respectful)
• Sir or Madam, Gentleman or Gentlewoman, Cousin or
  Cuz (Equal birth or social standing)
• Your Majesty or Your Highness (King and Queen)
• Your Grace (Members of the Royal Court)
• Master or Mistress Artisan (Craftsperson)
• Wench (Common or lower-class woman)
• Knave (Common or lower-class man)

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Hellos and Goodbyes Specificity

• Good Morrow (Good Morning)
• Good Day (Afternoon greeting or parting)
• Good Eve or Eventide (Good Evening)
• God Ye Good Den (God grant you a good day)
• I Bid You Adieu (Good-bye)
• By Your Leave (With your permission)
• Fare Thee Well (Good-bye- wishing them well)
• God Save Thee (A blessing)

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Compliments and Insults

• Thou are the most beauteous this day (You look
  pretty today)
• Thy voice is sweeter than that of an angel (Your
  voice is beautiful)
• By my troth, mine eyes are blessed by your very
  visage (In truth, the sight of your face is a
  blessing)
• Thy beauty eclipses the sun (Dazzling beautiful)

• Thou are lily-livered (coward)
• Thou slop-jar of ineptitude (slop-jar is similar
  to chamber potpeople also spat or threw garbage
  in it)
• Knotty-pated (thick-headed, stupid)
• Buffoon (fool)

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Other Helpful Words

• Privies (Bathrooms)
• Zounds (An interjection and exclamation of
  astonishment--a shortening and alterations of
  Gods wounds!)
• Fantastical (Amazing)
• By my troth (Exclamation of truth)
• HUZZAH! (Hurrah!)
• All classes LOVED Language A quick wit was
  prizedeveryone played with words.

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Renaissance Clothing

• Particolor, the newest and hottest fashion
  trendone leg green and the other red, or one arm
  blue and the other orange, and the body of their
  outfit a completely different color.
• Men doublet (close-fitting garment resembling a
  waistcoat) and hose.
• Sign of Wealth finest fabrics, jewels, belt
  buckles, medallions and ringsonly nobles could
  buy silk, wear jewelry or buy sale and ermine
  fur. It was the law! A wealthy merchant
  couldnt buy clothes only a nobleman was allowed
  to wear.
• Women low-cut tops, skirts swelled out like
  tents, the wider the band of fur trimming the
  bottom of her dress, the higher her
  rankNoblewomen tried to wear outrageously high
  hats and long veils in order to outshine other
  women.

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Renaissance Clothing

• Knights Bars of iron and steel were hammered
  into flat plates shaped to cover the bodythe
  plates were curved to fit the body exactly, and
  were polished and decorated19 main partsthis
  gave maximum defense but heavy weightsome suits
  of armor weighed so much that it took a crane to
  hoist up the knight onto his horse.
• Peasants lower class citizens dressed in
  dull-colored clothing made from natural fibers
  like cotton, wool, or flax.

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Renaissance Literature The Early Modern Period

• William Shakespeare, known as the ageless bard
  for drama/plays that transcend the barriers of
  timeShakespeare dealt with universal truths and
  conflicts in human nature his tragedies,
  comedies, and history plays continue to draw
  audiences from all of life, just as they did in
  their own day.
• Ben Jonson (a contemporary) He was not of an
  age but for all time.

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William Shakespeare

• The Greatest Word Maker that ever lived!
• Of the 20,138 different words in his 37 plays,
  sonnets, and other poems, his use is the first
  known use of more than 1,700 words.
• Verbally innovative, Shakespeare made up more
  than 8.5 of his written vocabulary.
• Reading his works is like witnessing the birth of
  language itself!

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Literature of the Period

• Elizabethan Poetry Elizabethans preferred
  sonnets and lyric poetry over narrative poems.
• The Sonnet Sir Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser,
  and Shakespeare
• Popular were sonnet cycles a series of sonnets
  that fit loosely together to form a story
  (14-lines, iambic pentameter, rhyme-scheme
  varieties)
• Pastoral Poetry Poetry idealized the rustic
  simplicity of rural life (Christopher Marlowe and
  Sir Walter Raleigh)

• Elizabethan Drama playwrights turned away from
  religious subjects and wrote on more complex and
  sophisticated subjects.
• Drawing from classical models of ancient Greece
  and Rome, they reintroduced tragedies and dramas.
  

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A Bit about Bill, Will, or Shakespeare

• Shakespeare (1564-1616) began his involvement
  with the theater as an actor.
• By 1592, he was a popular playwright, whose works
  were performed at Elizabeth Is court.
• After the Globe theater was built in 1599, many
  of Shakespeares plays were performed there.
• Our study of Shakespearean drama consists of The
  Tragedy of Macbeth and The Tragedy of Hamlet.

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