England Culture during Shakespeare Era

Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Date England Culture during Shakespeare Era Shakespeare went to England in 1587, an era that is called the Elizabethan Era between 1558 to 1603. It was named after Queen Elizabeth 1 and it is referred to as the Golden Age since the queen led the land to a lot of development, growth and influence all over Europe CITATION The11 \l 1033 (The Elizabethan age). London was the heart of England and as the population grew in the 16th century so did art, literature, commerce, poets and the middle class merchants rose and this led to the economy of England growing immensely. The renowned William Shakespeare wrote plays and transformed theatre in London CITATION Eli19 \l 1033 (Elizabethan England). The essay explores the culture of England in the era of Shakespeare in terms of theatre, festivals, dressing, family life and science and technology. Queen Elizabeth loved theatre plays and this era was characterized with a rise in plays in theaters and inns. Citizens of England enjoyed plays a lot that Shakespeare likened life with a stage ‘All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players’. Inn-keepers allowed plays to be shown in their yards and this earned vast amount of money CITATION The11 \l 1033 (The Elizabethan age). James Burbage who was also an actor constructed the first theatre in England called ‘the theatre’ whose style and architecture resemble the roman open air and old Greek amphitheaters. Playhouses converted from old inn courtyards were invented for winter though nobles would not go to them and a quote from Shakespeare work ‘Play houses are not for well-born women’ CITATION Eli191 \l 1033 (Elizabethan Era). The Elizabethan life depended on location-the village and town and class-middle or upper class. The villages were very busy during harvesting and hay making, life here was insular and allowed people to be self-sufficient. People lived in communities and everyone knew everyone. There were local markets that provided villagers with short supplies. Property was handed down from generation to another and family units even among the nobles stayed close and this was a good support in times of adversary. Fathers passed skills to their sons and each community kept its own variety of skilled men ranging from roofers, blacksmiths, ploughmen, laborers, peasants, farmers, builders and carpenters which helped to maintain self-sufficiency CITATION Eli191 \l 1033 (Elizabethan Era). The village life had a hierarchy starting with the Lord of the Manor, Gentry, yeoman, tenants, skilled laborers and unskilled laborers. The women looked after the small livestock-chicken and geese, they also did spinning, making and repairing cloths, household chores and were responsible for the children which encouraged them to learn basic nursing, herbs and medicine. Men on their other hand were the bread winners and during leisure time they would play ball games, kittles and bowling CITATION Eli191 \l 1033 (Elizabethan Era). However, a...