Shakespeare's World

SHAKESPEARE'S WORLD is an engaging overview of Tudor England, Renaissance Europe, and global colonialism in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.
This historical and cultural context provides the background necessary far a thorough study of Shakespeare's life and works. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the political, social, and cultural landscapes that impacted the Yard through easy-to-read descriptions of topics ranging from the Globe Theater to the Elizabethan social order and more.
This text includes:

• Plot synopses of the Bard's plays and poems.
• Chronologies outlining key events of Shakespeare's time.
• A geographical chart of the regions and places referenced in the Bard's works, from "the Indies" to "the South Seas."

List of contents

1. Introduction.

Chart of Lands and Peoples Referenced in Shakespeare's Writing.

2. Shakespeare's Life

Shakespeare's Ancestry. John and Mary Shakespeare. Decline of Family Fortunes. Stratford-Upon-Avon. Shakespeare's Education. Literary Influences. Early Dramatic Influences. Marriage and Children. Retirement and Death. Legends.

3. Shakespeare's Plays and Poems.

Potential Chronology for the Works. The Narrative Poems. Sonnets. Comedies and Romances. The History Plays. Late Romances. The Tragedies.

4. Performance and Criticism.

Anti-Stratfordian Theories. Shakespeare and the Bible. Shakespeare's Contemporaries. Shakespeare's Critics. Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton. The University Wits vs. the Grammarians. Shakespeare's Theaters. Acting Troupes. Sources for Shakespeare's Writing. Characters and Themes. Critical Approaches.

5. Elizabeth's England.

The Tudor Dynasty. Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth's Government. Elizabethan Economy. James Stuart I of England. Documents: The First Parliament, January 23-May 8, 1559, (Excerpt). The Oath of a Privy Councillor. An Act for the Relief of the Poor, (Excerpt). The Act of Uniformity, (Excerpt).

6. Shakespeare's Society.

Ancient History of England. Games and Sports. Holidays. Music. Folk Sayings and Proverbs. Shakespeare's English. Printers. Playhouses. London in the 16th Century. Medicine. Death and Burial. Ghosts and Witchcraft. Military Service. Punishments.

7. Religion.

Tudor Reform. Versions of the Bible. Catholicism and the Anglican Church. Elizabeth's Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity. Puritans. The Reformation. European Protestantism. The Counter Reformation. Other Faiths. Documents: Convocation of 1563: Puritan Demands. Dedication of the King James Bible to the King. Institutes of the Christian Religion, (Excerpt) John Calvin. From Loyola's March 26, 1553 Letter to Portugal (Excerpt).

8. The Elizabethan Social Order.

Farmlands. Households. Social Ranks. Titles and Ranks. Women. Marriage and Family. Minorities.

9. The European Effect.

Map. Austria. Hungary. Italy. Southern Europe. Spain. Portugal. France. Germany and Central Europe. The Netherlands. Scotland. Ireland. Poland. Denmark.

10. The Renaissance.

Map. The Great Chain of Being. Humanism. The European Renaissance. Music. Politics. Literature. Art. Science. Alternative Lifestyles. Noble Women.

11. Eastern Empires.

Map. Russia. Africa. Arabia. Persia. Palestine. The Ottoman Empire. Australia. China and Cathay. Japan. East Asia. India. Documents: First Charter to the East India Company, December 31, 1600, (Excerpt).

12. Western Worlds.

Map. The Americas. Mexico and South America. English Colonies. Native Americans. New World Writing. Documents: Charter to the Virginian Colonies, April 10, 1606, (Excerpt). Discourse of Western Planting. Richard Hakluyt. The General Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles (1624), (Excerpt) John Smith.

Summary

For courses in English Literature and Shakespeare.
This exciting and approachable text provides colorful, yet simple descriptions of Shakespeare's life, Tudor England, Renaissance Europe, and global colonialism during the 16th and early 17th centuries. Shakespeare's World opens the door to students who are curious about the Bard and his world, providing an easy-to-understand overview of the time period and key events that impacted or were impacted by Shakespeare's writing.

Product details

• Authors: D. L. Johanyak
• Publisher: Pearson Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2003
• EAN: 9780130971012
• ISBN: 978-0-13-097101-2
• No. of pages: 288
• Weight: 350 g
• Series: Longman; Longman
• Subject: Fiction > Poetry, drama