The Renaissance era spanned from 1485-1660 and marked a renewed interest in classical learning from Ancient Greece and Rome. This led to a rebirth of human spirit, creativity, and curiosity that began in Italy with influential figures like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Columbus. Politically, monarchs like Henry VIII seized church property and dissolved monasteries while Elizabeth I was a strong and clever monarch who patronized the arts. Prejudices during this time included suspicion of foreigners, oppression of the Irish, Scots, and Welsh, anti-Semitism, and a growing slave trade. Humanism focused on individual excellence and education found in classical texts. Shakespeare, a playwright during this era, wrote famous

1. The Renaissance
Era
1485-1660

2. Map of the
British Isles
and Ireland

3. Background
Renaissance is French for “Re-birth”
The Renaissance Man is born!
There was a renewed interest in classical
learning
i. e. Ancient Greece and Rome
Renewal of the human spirit
Curiosity and Creativity
All began in Italy
Leonardo Da Vinci
Michelangelo
Christopher Columbus
Galileo

4. Politics speech of the ruling
Court is influenced by art, dress,
class, and $/ Patronage for the theatre
Henry VII- rebuilt the nation’s treasury and restored
the prestige of the Monarchy
Henry VIII- seized the church’s property and
dissolved the powerful monasteries, executed
Thomas Moore, married 6 times
Mary I- fought to keep England Catholic, executed
300 Protestants
Elizabeth I- clever and strong, considered the most
capable monarch since William the Conqueror, patron
of the arts
James I- came to the throne after Elizabeth I’s death,
persecuted Puritans who migrated to America and
founded Jamestown in 1620, took measures to make
England a “world power”

5. The Great Chain of Being
Prejudices:
Suspicion of
Foreigners
Irish oppression
Against the Scots
and Welsh
Anti-Semitism
Growing slave trade

6. Humanism
Renaissance humanists
Erasmus- dedicated to restoring good literature (classical
Greek and Latin) and good religion (Christianity purged of
clerical abuses)
Thomas Moore
The rediscovery of classical Greek and Roman texts
Best guides for learning and living
Focus on the individual/ self-perfection and personal
excellence found in classical texts
Pushes for a more general education system
Rise in vernacular use in literature and the translation of
classics

7. Shakespeare
Background Macbeth
Life 1564-1616 Tragedy
Educated at a free grammar Scottish play
school in Stratford-on-Avon
(lower middle class) Written in 1606 and
performed at the Globe
Due to royal favor and Theatre
money, crosses class
boundaries, and becomes a Based on an episode of
gentleman history- the death of King
Duncan at the hands of
Patron- Earl of Southampton Macbeth
Successful troupe- Lord Setting: 11th century Scotland
Chamberlain’s Men or the
King’s Men during James I’s Chronicles gaining power to
reign the destruction from it
The rise and fall of blind
Globe Theatre built in 1599 ambition
Shakespearean Sonnet- 14
lines and ended statement in