English 382Shakespeare
Class notes 7/18/11
LondonLife expectancy30 yearsHalf of children lived to 15Death
was a major part of lifePlays so full of life (and death)
Growth of LondonBy 1650375,000 peopleFastest growing, largest
city in EuropeMany people regularly went to the city to see
theatreWall around LondonSt. Pauls CathedralChurchSocial meeting
placeThe TheatreWay outside the main city area
LondonNarrow streetsUpper stories hung over the walkway, made
streets seem darkerViolence, crime, grimyRiver trafficpeople used
the river to get placesCarriages couldnt get through the streets
(too narrow)Guildsprimarily inside the cityall male
Rural LifeTwo groups at odds in the country-farmers and
sheepherders-enclosuresUsed for sheep/woolDaily aspects of life
show up all over in Shakespeare
Typical role for female housewife-a lot!Poultry animalsMaking
toolsWorking in the fieldsEverything was handmadeDaily
routineDaylight hours
*all classes came to the theaters*
Clothing
Womenconcerns ofMarriage and childrenMarried womenfewer rights
than singleEducation50% literacy rateEsp. among upper class, women
were often educatedmostly, though education for
boysPrimogeniture
Relationship of Parents and ChildrenWet nurseSent away to
school, apprenticeshipsNot much close time with parents
Sex conventions
Very little social mobilityAristocracyThose with titles,
inherited, important blood linesGentryLand owners, could be as
wealthy or wealthier than aristocracy, but not titledCitizens
(city) and Yeoman (country) Shopkeepers, laborers, tradesmen,
skilled laborersServants/Laborers/PeasantsOwned nothing of their
ownBeggars
JewsCast out of England in 1200 (1209 I think)Ban not lifted
until after Shakespeares time
TragediesWritten mainly 1600-1610ElementsTypically ends in
deathUsually focused on individual (1-2) not communityNature is
sinister, against humansin comedies, nature is mystical and works
for humansTragic flawMistranslation of Aristotles hamartiaArchery
term for miss the markProbably more like mistakeIs it in their
nature? Or just a mistake?CatharsisIdea that the audience can
experience, then have a purging of emotions
Succession of the English Monarchy
Henry VIII Ruled 1509-1547aged 17 when he came to the throne6
wives3 childrenWives:Catherine of AragonMother of Mary TudorAnne
BoleynDaughter: Elizabeth IJane Seymour
Edward VISon of Henry VIIIMary Tudorbrings Catholicism
backBloody MaryRules with her husband Phillip II (Spain)They have
no children
Elizabeth IRuled 1558-1603No children
James I Ruled 1603-1625Elizabeths cousinMother was Mary, Queen
of ScotsStarts the Stewart line
Power in Englandvery few people making all the
decisionsMonarchyPrivy CouncilParliament
TaxationParliamentNot as muchnowhere near the power of the Privy
CouncilElizabeths principal advisorWilliam CecilThen his son Robert
CecilOther advisors:Robert Dudley
Elizabethconflict in public/private life
Elizabeth ICompromise (via media) with Puritans and
CatholicsCult of loveVirgin QueenGoddessLove for her
peopleBrilliant, well-read, fluent in multiple languagesEnjoyed
plays Patronageand theater/spectaclecourt atmospherePressure to get
married
James I (1603-1625)Scottishviewed as an outsiderDifferent
ruler
ReligionReformation was sort of slow coming to England (Martin
Luther Theses happened in 1517)Henry VIII wanted to divorce
Catherine of Aragon (no son was one reason)Act of SupremacyEdward
VI (age10 when crowned)Archbishop of Church of EnglandBook of
Common PrayerMary Tudor (Catholic)Elizabeth I inherited this toxic
religious landscapeVia mediaAllowed Anglican priests to wear
Catholic robesGradually became less of an issue as Catholics in
power died
Bigger threat: Puritans
Ideology of OrderThe Great Chain of BeingHierarchy
Questions Shakespeare explored:Is he reinforcing
order?Challenging ideas?Creating ideas?Textual
criticismPossibilities of interpretation
