Shakespeare Alive! Ch 1-3 Summaries
Sam Parzych
Mr. Keefe
Community & the Individual
June 17th, 2013
Chapter 1 - “One Day at a Time: What Daily Life Was Like” In the late 16th century of England life was rough. Many families had multiple children, but not enough money to support all of them. Families most likely live on the countryside, trying their hardest to survive on what little they have. The late 16th century was full of contradictions, as well. A woman, Queen Elizabeth, was ruler, but in the family women still had no say. Men ran the house still. The rich would wander around Europe for fun, while the poor stumbled around begging for scraps to survive. Most people couldn’t even read, while the pompous are being treated to the highest forms of education! All of this just emphasizes even more the gap that has grown between the rich and the poor. Shakespeare’s family was one of the one’s on the poor end of the spectrum. Coming from a family of many, your situation is desperate. And with there only being so much food, there is not enough to feed everyone. Especially since Shakespeare was a growing boy at this time, with a growing appetite. So he decides to pack up and hit the road. He traveled by foot to London with many other weary travelers. Shakespeare arrives in London and was in awe of its greatness. This place truly was (and is) magical. It also appeared to never sleep. There were so many people there it was tough to find a place to stay and to work, but he found an overrun place with “open spots”. The place was crowded, but it was better than the street.
Chapter 2 – “Order in the Court: The Renaissance” Despite the late 16th century being part of the Renaissance it did not appear that way at the time. Although, the world was certainly opening up. Greek and Roman writings were recently being published and new worlds were being found by explorers out the wazoo. People were also beginning to look at life in a much more intellectual way. Things were no longer
Mr. Keefe
Community & the Individual
June 17th, 2013
Chapter 1 - “One Day at a Time: What Daily Life Was Like” In the late 16th century of England life was rough. Many families had multiple children, but not enough money to support all of them. Families most likely live on the countryside, trying their hardest to survive on what little they have. The late 16th century was full of contradictions, as well. A woman, Queen Elizabeth, was ruler, but in the family women still had no say. Men ran the house still. The rich would wander around Europe for fun, while the poor stumbled around begging for scraps to survive. Most people couldn’t even read, while the pompous are being treated to the highest forms of education! All of this just emphasizes even more the gap that has grown between the rich and the poor. Shakespeare’s family was one of the one’s on the poor end of the spectrum. Coming from a family of many, your situation is desperate. And with there only being so much food, there is not enough to feed everyone. Especially since Shakespeare was a growing boy at this time, with a growing appetite. So he decides to pack up and hit the road. He traveled by foot to London with many other weary travelers. Shakespeare arrives in London and was in awe of its greatness. This place truly was (and is) magical. It also appeared to never sleep. There were so many people there it was tough to find a place to stay and to work, but he found an overrun place with “open spots”. The place was crowded, but it was better than the street.
Chapter 2 – “Order in the Court: The Renaissance” Despite the late 16th century being part of the Renaissance it did not appear that way at the time. Although, the world was certainly opening up. Greek and Roman writings were recently being published and new worlds were being found by explorers out the wazoo. People were also beginning to look at life in a much more intellectual way. Things were no longer