Shakespeare project

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Shakespeare

An introduction to the project

What is the first thing you think about when you hear the name 'Shakespeare'?

Who is this?

Elizabethan Era

Elizabeth I: 1533 - 1603 (Queen: 1558 – 1603)

Golden Age: political, economic, cultural development

Elizabethan society was highly structured and everyone was expected to know their place in that structure. It was a strict hierarchy, which most believed was ordered by God.

     * Individualism / ideals (Humanism)

     * Ambition (status/image)

     * Order/disorder/chaos

     * Nationalistic feelings – patriotic interest

 Art and Literature: classics rediscovered

 Science: great advances (Copernicus, Galileo Galilei)

 Court = centre of power and society

History of English theatre

Religious Drama - Dramatised Bible passages 
> 1210: drama was banned from church
Performances were moved to churchyard
End 13th century: drama on church grounds were forbidden
Market place: guilds
15th century: new types of play
16th century: period of great dramatic activity 
Church & authorities: Theatres were seen as centres of vice and wickedness and dangers to public health (plague)

Macbeth

Take 5 minutes to do some research.

What is it about?

Important themes?

How are the images related?

Background

• Written in 1606
  
• King James I (King of Scotland): patron of Shakespeare’s acting company
• Macbeth: Scottish general
  
• Macbeth reflects Shakespeare’s relationship to King James I

First assignment: Info sheet

In groups of three you will create an info sheet about a historical, cultural or social aspect from Shakespeare’s time chosen for you. 

When a certain topic will be addressed in class in relation to Macbeth, your teacher will ask you to explain your topic and elaborate on one or two aspects.

You will be assessed on the level of the information provided (info sheet & your talk in class), the quality of the info sheet (information & lay-out) and your work in class.

Topics:

 

- Shakespeare’s life and his works

- Theatre (then and now)

- Superstition/witches

- Reformation & Henry VIII

- Elizabeth I

- Renaissance (Culture, Literature, Philosophy)

- Renaissance (Science, Economy, Trade, Politics)

- The Social Setting

- Language Development (Old English, Middle English, Shakespeare)

Please make your groups
(enter combination of 3 names)