William Shakespeare may never have existed – or at least that is the point some scholars are trying to make. This paper is going to follow the opinion of the vast majority of literary experts and assume that Shakespeare did, in fact, exist. But mere existence is never enough. “No man is an island, entire of itself,” as John Donne liked to put it. The environment you live in and the surroundings that influence and inspire you are utterly significant. Future historians ourselves, we were taught that the present is a time span that doesn’t even last three seconds. After that, it’s the past. But the past is not the same as “history” itself. History is what historiographers have managed to reconstruct of the past, using archaeological, philological, literary, and other sources. As we are happy enough to know a lot about Shakespeare’s times, it would be foolhardy and arrogant to ignore this knowledge and focus on the plays themselves, letting the circumstances that they were
written in slip out of our range of view.
It may be taken for granted that Shakespeare was indeed influenced by his historical environment, but nobody can say for sure to what extent. What if Shakespeare had lived in ancient Roman times or in the Cold War period? Would he have written different plays? To decide to what
extent he was influenced is the task of those scholars who actually do research on the plays. This paper, however, will focus on the actual socio-political, economic, and religious background of Sir William Shakespeare, particularly on the rule of Elizabeth I and James I and on
the Elizabethan World Picture with its various manifestations in the English state during Shakespeare’s lifetime.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Tudor Dynasty before Elizabeth I or “Let us sit down and tell sad stories of dead kings”
- Henry VII
- Henry VIII
- Edward VI
- Mary I
- The Elizabethan Age
- James I
- Merry England
- Golden Age in a Nutshell
- The Elizabethan World Picture
- The Meaning of Order
- The Macrocosm
- The Hierarchical Order - illustrated by Metaphors
- The Chain of Being
- The Stairs
- Analogy and Correspondences
- The Human Being
- The Body Politic
- The Meaning of Sin
- World Picture: Conclusion
- And the rest is silence
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the socio-political, economic, and religious background of William Shakespeare's life, focusing on the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, and examining the Elizabethan World Picture and its influence on the English state during Shakespeare's lifetime. It seeks to understand the extent to which Shakespeare's historical environment shaped his work, without definitively quantifying the influence.
- The Tudor Dynasty and its impact on England
- The Elizabethan World Picture and its underlying principles
- The significance of the hierarchical order in Elizabethan society
- The role of religion and politics in shaping the Elizabethan era
- Shakespeare's historical context and its potential influence on his writings
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's premise: while acknowledging the debate surrounding Shakespeare's existence, it proceeds under the assumption of his reality and focuses on the importance of understanding his historical context to fully appreciate his works. It argues that ignoring the socio-political climate of Elizabethan England would be a significant oversight in studying Shakespeare's plays and emphasizes the paper's focus on the Elizabethan World Picture and the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I.
The Tudor Dynasty before Elizabeth I or “Let us sit down and tell sad stories of dead kings”: This chapter provides a concise overview of the Tudor dynasty leading up to Elizabeth I's reign. It depicts a period marked by the Wars of the Roses, internal conflict, and shifting power dynamics. The reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I are summarized, highlighting key events such as Henry VII's consolidation of power, Henry VIII's religious reforms and their political consequences, Edward VI's short reign and religious shifts, and Mary I's attempts to reinstate Catholicism, each contributing to the complex political and religious landscape inherited by Elizabeth I.
The Elizabethan Age: This chapter focuses on the reign of Elizabeth I, highlighting her ascension to the throne amidst political uncertainty, her extensive education, and her skillful political maneuvering. It portrays Elizabeth as a complex figure: a shrewd and powerful ruler who utilized her image and political acumen to maintain stability and consolidate her power, while also exhibiting less virtuous traits like vanity and a capricious nature. Her religious policies, her relationship with the aristocracy, and her international diplomacy are all discussed, painting a picture of a transformative era characterized by both stability and underlying tensions.
Keywords
Elizabethan era, Tudor dynasty, Elizabethan World Picture, Shakespeare, historical context, political background, religious reformation, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, James I, hierarchical order, order and chaos, power dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the Elizabethan era, focusing on its socio-political, economic, and religious landscape, and its influence on William Shakespeare's life and works. It explores the Tudor dynasty leading up to Elizabeth I's reign, the key principles of the Elizabethan World Picture, and the historical context surrounding Shakespeare's writing.
What time period does this document cover?
The document primarily covers the Elizabethan era (the reign of Queen Elizabeth I) and extends to include the reigns of preceding Tudor monarchs (Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I) and the reign of James I, providing crucial historical context.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
Key themes include the Tudor dynasty's impact on England, the Elizabethan World Picture and its hierarchical order, the role of religion and politics in shaping the Elizabethan era, and the potential influence of Shakespeare's historical environment on his writings. The concept of order and chaos within the Elizabethan worldview is also a significant theme.
What is the "Elizabethan World Picture"?
The "Elizabethan World Picture" refers to the prevailing worldview during Elizabeth I's reign. It emphasized a hierarchical social order, mirroring a perceived cosmic order, with analogies and correspondences between different levels of society and the natural world. Concepts like the Chain of Being and the Great Chain of Being are central to this understanding.
How is Shakespeare's work related to this historical context?
The document argues that understanding the socio-political and religious climate of Elizabethan England is essential for a thorough appreciation of Shakespeare's works. It aims to explore the potential influence of this historical context on his writing, without attempting to definitively quantify that influence.
What specific aspects of the Tudor Dynasty are discussed?
The document provides summaries of the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I, highlighting key events and their impact on the political and religious landscape of England, ultimately leading to the reign of Elizabeth I.
What is the structure of the document?
The document is structured as a language preview, including a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. This allows for a quick overview of the content and its scope.
What are the main objectives of this document?
The main objective is to explore the historical context of Shakespeare's life and works, focusing on the Elizabethan World Picture and its influence on the English state. It aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the socio-political, economic, and religious factors that shaped the Elizabethan era.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
Key words include Elizabethan era, Tudor dynasty, Elizabethan World Picture, Shakespeare, historical context, political background, religious reformation, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, James I, hierarchical order, order and chaos, and power dynamics.
What is the assumed stance regarding Shakespeare's authorship?
While acknowledging the ongoing debate surrounding Shakespeare's authorship, the document proceeds under the assumption of his historical existence, focusing on the importance of his historical context.
- Citation du texte
- Christian R. Schwab (Auteur), 2005, Shakespeare's Historical Background and the World Picture of the Elizabethan Age, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/69941
