6. Widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist
7.
8. His mother a daughter of an affluent landowning farmer
9.
10. England in Shakespeare’s time Social System Some families moved from one class to another, but most people were born into a particular class and stayed there. The Nobility The head of each noble family is a duke, a baron, or an earl. These are the lords and ladies of the land. These men are rich and powerful. The Gentry Wealth was the key to becoming part of the gentry. The Yeomanry Middle Class people who have saved enough to be comfortable but who could at any moment, through illness or bad luck, be plunged into poverty.
11. England in Shakespeare’s time The Poor The sick, the disabled, the old and feeble, and soldiers who are unable to work because of wounds. Due to the “enclosure”, towns became larger and people who rely on agriculture, did not have anymore land to grow crops. Thus, they did not have a job and are unable to support themselves and their families.
12. England in Shakespeare’s time Elizabethan theatres Do not have a roof No lighting and electricity Two sets of stairs, either side if the theatre Trapdoors and Canons Impacts on Shakespeare’s plays The cannon was used to create a dramatic special effect such as heralding great entrances Actors could easily disappear and appear via the stage trapdoors
13. The Renaissance The activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning. Cultural movement that spanned roughly the beginning of the 14th century to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.
14. The Renaissance Black death/Plague (1348 - 1350) The prices and the value of land started to drop from 40 to 30 percent Caused about 30 to 60 percent of Europe’s population to drop Deaths of Charles VI of France and Henry V of EnglandHenry VI crowned King of England (1422)
15. The Renaissance For example, Shakespeare made use of the history of Henry IV and converted it into a play which consists of 2 parts. Henry IV play depicts a span of history that begins with Hotspur's battle at Homildon against the Douglas late in 1402 and ends with the defeat of the rebels at Shrewsbury in the middle of 1403.
![biography ,[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)