The Introduction

 

           You are a journalist hired by Newsweek Magazine to research the life and times of Shakespeare, and then write an article that will accompany a feature on the new movie adaptation of Othello.  Your job is to give the reader a basic background in Shakespeare’s life, and the lives of people living during the Elizabethan Era.  You will conduct your research by visiting the following sites, and completing the Shakespeare Research Handout to organize your information.  You will then write your 200 word article that will be published in the magazine.

 

 

              The Task

      

       You will complete the Research Handout by visiting the following sites.  You will then write a well-written, 200 word magazine article that highlights the important events and influences in Shakespeare’s life and Elizabethan times. 

                          

 

        The Process

        

       You will conduct your research by visiting each of the following sites and answering the questions that follow on the research handout.  You will be able to find each website by clicking on the picture.  Have fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.  Men & Women:  Men and woman had very different responsibilities. Click on the links below and list some of the responsibilities men and women had during this time.
a) What responsibilities did the men have?
b) What responsibilities did the women have?

2. Weddings & Betrothals:
a) What was a betrothal?
b) After a betrothal was a couple considered married?

3. Marriage & Family:
a) What was the minimum age for boys and girls to marry with parental permission?
b) When is one considered to have come of age?
c) What is considered a foolish reason to marry?
d) What kind of relationship existed between parents and their children?
e) What kind of relationship existed between husbands and wives?

4. Education:
a) Where were boys and girls educated?
b) How were noble children educated?
c) Describe a typical school day?
d) Were students treated similarly to how they are today? Explain.
e) Would you have wanted to attend school during the 16th century? Why or why not?

5. Occupations:  Who would you obtain the following items from -
a) books
b) hats
c) shirts/smocks
d) drugs
If you were noble, what would the following servants on your staff do?
e) Steward
 f)  Nurse
g) Wet nurse
h) Tutor

6. Heirs & Inheritance:
a) In a family, when the father dies, who inherits everything?
b) What is an heiress?
c) What happens, regarding inheritance in a noble family, when there are only daughters and no sons?

7. Masters & Servants:
a) Where do grooms work?
b) Where do maids or serving maids work?
c) What is a valet?
d) What is the female equivalent of a valet called?
e) What does one's reputation depend on?
f) Who do servants take money from?
g) What is a vail?

8. Filling the Time:
a) What were three common pastimes during the 16th century?
b) Why were theaters only attended during the day?

9. Religion:
a) What was the official established state religion?
b) Read through the definition of Puritanism.  What did Puritans believe in?

10. Titles:
a) Who gets addressed as "your grace'?
b) How do children address their parents?

11. Money:
a) What were all coins made of?
b) What were the basic denominations of currency?
c) What makes up a pound?
d) What is a crown worth?

12. Duels:
a) What actions were considered a challenge?
b) Why did dueling often take place "out of the way"?

13. The City of London:
a) How did people cross the Thames River?
b) What were streets like?
c) What was emptied out of windows?
d) Why was everyone "tipsy" all the time?

 

                           

                          Evaluation

       Upon completing this webquest, you will receive two separate grades.  You will be graded on the completion of the Research Handout, and the information and quality of writing found in your magazine article.

                            

         Conclusion

           When reading a play, it is very important for us to understand the life of the poet, as well as the audience the play was written for.  If we do not have a basic understanding of the time period, we might miss out on some of the important ideas, themes, or jokes in the play!