Download London and Shakespeare

London in Shakespeare’s Time
The Elizabethan Era (1558 -1603)
• A golden age in English
history.
• height of the English
Renaissance, and the growing
of English literature and poetry.
• Elizabethan theatre grew and
William Shakespeare, among
others, composed plays that
broke away from England's
past style of plays.
• More people were educated
during this time in London than
ever before.
The Elizabethan Era (1558 -1603)
• London in the 16th
century had a
transformation.
• Population grew
400% from 1500 to
1600, swelling to
nearly two hundred
thousand people in
the city.
Poor Sanitation
•
•
•
•
Little or no drainage
Running water hard to come by
Bad smells
Bathing not common practice
The Black Plague
• Bubonic plague – originated in
Central Asia killing 25 million
• Hit London several times
• Rats hosted the disease
carriers
Why study Shakespeare?
Shakespeare helped turn the
theatrical profession into an
important profession loved by
all the people, from Kings and
Queens to peasants and
servants. Today, a writer, actor,
director, or producer is well
respected
Words and Phrases
created over 2,000 new words and
phrases.
Entertainment
• Other than
gambling, drinking
at the pub, playing
cards, tennis and
lawn bowling,
watching plays (the
theatre) was the
main source of
entertainment.
The Globe
• Across the Thames River, outside
the city limits you will come to
Southwark
• Here you will find more than just
the theatre.
• Most of the really low company
you may be looking for is probably
hanging out in across the river.
• Naturally the bear garden (for bear
baiting) is here, as are the play
houses