The document provides information about the Elizabethan Age in England from 1558-1603 when Queen Elizabeth I ruled. Some key aspects summarized are that during this period England had an effective centralized government and prospered from trade, literature and theater flourished with new creative directions, and William Shakespeare rose to fame as one of the most renowned playwrights, writing many of his famous plays like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet during this Golden Age of English history and arts.

1. The Elizabethan Age

2. Facts about the Queen
• Queen Elizabeth was born from King Henry VIII and
Anne Boleyn.
• She reigned for 45 years, from 1558-1603.
• During her reign, there was an increase in literacy
rates and fine arts.
• The Queen was highly intelligent, and could speak
several languages including Latin, Spanish, Welsh,
and French.

3. The Elizabethan Age - characteristics
• England during this period had a
centralized, well-organized, and
effective government. They were
also greatly profiting from trade
with the colonies.
• This age – also known as the
English Renaissance -- is
considered the GOLDEN AGE in
English history
• literature, poetry, and theatre all
broke away from the past and
expanded in new creative directions.

4. Elizabethan Literature
• Literature was extremely
important during this time. It
was a form of entertainment as
well as a form of education.
• Romanticism: Literature this time
that focused on philosophical and
artistic writing.
• Realism: Literature this time that
focused on every day life.

5. Literature Continued
• During the Elizabethan era, Poetry
and plays were a major part of
writing.
• Many people enjoyed viewing plays
from theaters such as the Globe
Theater.
• Sonnets was the form of poetry that
was most commonly heard during this
era.
The bottom/
ground level was
for poor
commoners
The first level
cost a penny
more and had
seats.
The 2nd level was
for rich and
royalty. The seats
were cushioned.
Fun fact: Women were not allowed on stage at the Globe.

6. Getting to know Shakespeare
• Shakespeare was born April 23,1564,
and died April 23,1616.
• At 18, he married Anne Hathaway.
• He was one of the few fortunate boys to
attend grammar school.
• He began working as an actor and a
playwright when he was in his teens.

7. A. William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
• 37 plays (comedies, histories, tragedies, & romances)
• Known for his creation of character
• Translated human nature into dramatic speech & action
• Comedies – humor and satire:
• The Taming of the Shrew; A Midsummer Night’s Dream;
The Merchant of Venice
• Tragedies - Concerned w/human beings
(personalities, passions, & problems) & their world
• Romeo & Juliet = problems of love & sex
• Othello = analyzed jealousy
• Macbeth = analyzed ambition
• King Lear = family relationships
• Hamlet = man’s struggle for his own soul

8. Elizabethan Art
• Elizabethan art advanced and varied in form
• Writing, sculptures, paintings, and music
• Before is was mostly textiles, cloth weaving, and tapestry
• Stone, silver, and wood was used in most of the sculptures.
• Queen Elizabeth loved and very much appreciated art.