This document provides information about William Shakespeare and the context of his life and work. It discusses that Shakespeare was a famous English poet and playwright born in Stratford-upon-Avon in the late 16th century. It describes aspects of Shakespeare's life, including leaving Stratford for London to begin his career in theatre. The document also outlines characteristics of England during Shakespeare's time, including Queen Elizabeth I's rule, London as a rich city, and the structure of English social classes. Additionally, it summarizes how the Renaissance impacted Shakespeare and theatre, with influences on paintings, sculptures, and a focus on more realistic and complex human characters.

1. Task 1: ShakespeareDone by: Alexander Chen (2P301)Merchant of Venice

2. Shakespeare’s LifeShakespeare is a famous poet & playwrightWidely known as the greatest writer in the English LanguageOften called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”His plays have been translated into every major living language

3. Shakespeare’s LifeBorn and raised in Stratford-upon-AvonBegan education at the age of six or seven at the Stratford grammar schoolStudied Latin grammar and the classics

4. Shakespeare’s LifeLeft Stratford-on-Avon to begin a career on stageThe Theatres of London were closed and Shakespeare turned to writingInspired by great writers of his time

5. Shakespeare’s LifeShakespeare’s father was a successful glover and later became an alderman in Stratford-upon-AvonHis mother was a daughter of an affluent landowning farmerAt age 18, he married Anne Hathaway and had 3 childrenHe was in the middle of the social system

6. England in Shakespeare’s time Queen Elizabeth I was ruling EnglandLondon was a very rich cityEngland had 3 big epidemics of plagueEnglish poetry, music and literature flowered

7. England in Shakespeare’s time The English had a strong sense of social classMost people born into a particular class stayed thereSocial classes determined what a person could wear to where he could live to what job he had

8. England in Shakespeare’s time Theatres had no roofDepended on sunlightTwo plays were done everyday, both in the afternoonNot done earlier because the sun was too brightNot done at night because there was no artificial lighting

9. England in Shakespeare’s time Cheapest ticket allowed spectators to stand the entire playIf they paid more, they could sit in the galleriesA pence more to sit on a cushionThose who bought the most expensive sat on chairs on the actual stage

10. The RenaissanceRenaissance is a French word meaning “rebirth”Began in Northern Italy and spread through EuropeEuropeans moved away from restrictive ideas of the middle agesEuropean Scholars became more interested in studying the world around them

11. Significant EventsThe discovery of perspectiveWhere paintings became more life-like The discovery and translations of Plato’s workLed to the discovery of Neo-PlatonismTextual criticismThe Copernican revolutionThe “discovery” of the new worldThe discovery of a route around Africa to India

12. How the Renaissance impacted ShakespeareInfluenced paintings, sculptures and architectureThere was less focus on religious topics and were more realisticFocused on creating “human” characters with complex psychology

13. How the Renaissance impacted ShakespeareExplored the humanity of every character despite of their social statusEven monarchs were given human emotions and were capable of making mistakesUsed knowledge of Greek and Roman classics in playsThis were suppressed by the Catholic Church before the renaissance

14. Thank you