The document provides instructions for students to research various topics about William Shakespeare and his life and times in 16th century England. These include Shakespeare's life, the Elizabethan period when he lived and wrote, intellectual and religious life during that era, Elizabethan theatre including the Globe Theatre, marriage customs and family life, and words or phrases coined by Shakespeare. Students are asked to research these topics using online sources and compile a bibliography.

1. Year 7 Introduction to Shakespeare
Sunday, 16 October 2011

2. Life and Times
To understand the works of William Shakespeare, it is
important to understand the times in which he lived.
You will be researching a list of topics related to Shakespeare and
his life. When you are finished, you will have the information
you need to better appreciate the works of the most famous
poet and writer in history.
Sunday, 16 October 2011

3. Before looking at a range of Shakespeare’s
texts, you will work independently or in pairs
to find information about Shakespeare’s life
and times.
You will use the Web to research the following topics:
•Shakespeare’s life
•Elizabethan Period
•Intellectual and Religious life of the 1500s and 1600s
•The Elizabethan Theatre and Globe Theatre
•Marriage Customs, Family Life, and the Role of Women
•Literary Terms and Coined Phrases
Make sure that you include a bibliography!
Sunday, 16 October 2011

4. Shakespeare’s Life
When and where was Shakespeare born?
Describe his upbringing and education.
What were the four types of plays he wrote?
Where were his plays performed and by whom?
Besides writing plays, what skills made Shakespeare a “jack of all
trades?”
When and where did Shakespeare die?
Why do you think we still read Shakespeare’s works today?
What words or phrases did Shakespeare invent or “coin?”
Sunday, 16 October 2011

5. Elizabethan Period
Who was Queen Elizabeth and for how long did she rule?
Who ruled England after she died?
Give the approximate dates of the Elizabethan Period.
Identify the social classes during Shakespeare’s time. What
was a peasant? What was a noble?
What were common punishments for crimes?
What is the Bubonic Plague and how did it effect Elizabethan
society?
What were the sanitation and health conditions?
What is “primogeniture?”
What kind of education did Queen Elizabeth receive?
What kinds of entertainment did Queen Elizabeth enjoy?
Sunday, 16 October 2011

6. Intellectual & Religious
Describe the four elements thought to compose the universe.
Describe the four humours and their relationship to
personality. What was the relationship between the
humours and illnesses?
What type of medicines were used and by whom was it
dispensed?
What was the main religion? What were the basic beliefs?
What changes were taking place?
Describe the “Chain of Beings” believed in by Shakespeare
and his contemporaries & find a graphic that matches your
description.
Sunday, 16 October 2011

7. Elizabethan Theatre
Where were most theatres built? (in or out of the city?) Why?
Why is the Globe Theatre so famous?
What time of day did performances take place. How was the public
notified about the performances?
Who played the female roles and why?
What type of scenery and props were used?
Describe the costumes the actors used.
What other skills besides acting did the actors need?
What was the cost of standing room at the Globe?
Who was Richard Burbage?
Who were the King’s Men or Chamberlain’s Men?
Define and describe the following theatrical terms: Pit; Groundling;
Heavens, Trap door, Tiring house
Sunday, 16 October 2011

8. Customs & Family Life
Where did marriages take place during the Elizabethan Period?
Why were marriage contracts arranged?
Who performed the marriage ceremony?
What was the common age for marriage?
What is a betrothal?
What was the goal of a Renaissance wedding?
Describe common wedding attire during this period.
Describe what foods might be served at a wedding feast.
What kind of entertainment took place at a wedding
celebration?
What was the status of women and what kinds of work did
women do?
Sunday, 16 October 2011

9. Invention
Find five words or phrases that literary
scholars believe were “coined” or invented
by Shakespeare.
Sunday, 16 October 2011

10. Exit, pursued by a bear!
~Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale
Sunday, 16 October 2011