William Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Age
The Elizabethan Age, named after Queen Elizabeth I, was a period of significant cultural and political development in England. This era provided the backdrop for William Shakespeare's life and works.
Highlight: Queen Elizabeth I ruled England for almost 50 years, from 1533 to 1603, during a time marked by prosperity, artistic achievements, and conflicts.
The concept of the "Great Chain of Being" was central to Elizabethan society, establishing a hierarchical worldview that influenced social structures and beliefs.
Definition: The Great Chain of Being was a hierarchical structure of all matter and life, believed to be decreed by God. It ranged from God at the top, through angels, humans, animals, and plants, down to minerals at the bottom.
William Shakespeare's beruflicher werdegang began in Stratford, where he was born in April 1564. He received his education at the local grammar school, where he was first introduced to classical literature.
Vocabulary: Grammar school - A type of secondary school in the UK that selects its students based on academic ability.
Shakespeare's personal life included his marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582 and the birth of his children. By 1592, he had established himself in London's theatre world as an actor, playwright, and poet.