Shakesperes History essays

Shakesperes History essays William Shakespeare-An Introduction to His Life, Times, and Theatre Many factors went into Shakespeares and formed his writings. Including the English Renaissance, and the Elizabethan Theatre. Each played a significant role in plays that he has written and we will explore what roles they have played in this paper. The English Renaissance began around 1485 with the accession of King Henry VII. At the time the Renaissance was closely associated with the arts were all but dying due to the War of the Roses. Once King Henry VIII granddaughter Queen Elizabeth reined the arts flourished some saying that the arts hit their highest peak at this time. I feel that much of the renaissance centers on nature, the universe, church and state, morals, laws, and politics. Medieval philosophers believed god created heaven and earth and that the chaotic world we know was created by mans original sin. The only goal in human life was to live a virtuous Christian life and this would lead to salvation. The universe was believed to be created from a system of hierarchies. Every form of life was arranged on a scale. This extended from the lowest form of algae to God. You can see where some of our philosophies come from and how some still exist. Royalty ruled states in Shakespeares time. The Church of England had its beginnings under Edward the VI. Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary attempted to return England towards the Catholic faith but failed to do so. The king had governed by the laws that God created. God created three orders the law of Nature, the Law of Nations, and Civil Law. Niccolo Machiavelli however had his own views on these laws. He argued that the Christian religion was harmful to a sated because it taught humility, and this was a quality that was destructive to a ruler. Shakespeares plays revel an awareness of Machiavelli ...