Expert Circle

Topic 1

1. Why is William Shakespear not considered a likely candidate for the authorship of Shakespear's works?
Basically, there was no confirmation in the first place, that there was a William Shakespear, with the degree of mystification shrouding the question. Many doubts and unknowns, with very little evidence, may substantiate his absence. One reason is also, that if there was a Shakespear, it is recorded that his education level is significantly low, and he cannot be the one to write such superb, profound and distinct language, as written in all plays. The real author of Shakespear did not want to reveal his identity as there were many political issues revolving the plays, and had hidden attacks against the monarchy.
2. Who are the possible candidates?
- Edward De Vere
-William Stanley
-Thomas Middleton
-Christopher Marlowe
-Francis Bacon

3. Who is the most likely candidate?
Edward De Vere,
many plots and experiences are from his personal experiences .

Topic 2


1. Who was Elizabeth I?
She was born on the 7th July 1533 and died on the 24th March 1603. She was queen regnant of England and Ireland till her death. She was the daughter of King Henry VIII
2. What were England international relations when Elizabeth was queen?
In the early years, England was military engaged with Scotland and France. Relationships grew friendly with Scotland after the overthrow of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a military treaty was signed. Relationships was worsened with Spain and Elizabeth sent an army to Netherlands in 1585 to put it under her protection. In 1588, Philip II of Spain responded by sending the Spanish Armada of over 100 ships to go to war with England. However, the English defeated them.

The population of Ireland often rebelled against the authority of the queen. There were many rebellions in the 1570s to 1590s. In the Nine Years War from 1594-1603, the Irish defeated the English in 1598, but were defeated in 1603, after Elizabeth’s death. A peace was then signed between the two nations.

There were friendly diplomatic and trade relations between England and the Barbary States, the Ottoman Empire and Japan during her reign.

3. What was Shakespear relationship with Queen Elizabeth?
Queen Elizabeth was a huge supporter of the arts in England, mainly she supported plays and masques, in fact she even wrote poetry herself. She attended plays at the Globe theater where Shakespeare wrote and his plays were performed. Shakespeare’s plays were admired by Elizabeth and were also popular with the royal family. Shakespeare’s group performed several of his plays in front of Elizabeth I. It is believed that Elizabeth suggested the subjects of several of the plays that he wrote.


 During the last ten years of her reign, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men performed at court thirty-two times, compared to thirty-seven performances by all other companies combined. Queen Elizabeth I was the ruler during the time of Shakespeare’s life.


 She enjoyed plays, dances, and other entertainment during her rule. Queen Elizabeth I liked when plays were acted out for her. She was very fond of Shakespeare’s plays. In some of his play, Shakespeare cleverly hinted passages referring to the Queen and other events that affiliated during both of their life time.

The Puritans were not happy with the theaters and shut down all the theatres in London. They claim that the theaters were a major cause of the plague. The real reason why they shut them down was because people were spending time going to plays instead of praying. Queen Elizabeth I reacted to this by forming own group of performers. Her goal was to bring the law of theaters back into business for her people.


4. Compare Elizabeth I to Portia from The Merchant of Venice. How is Portia’s character a tribute to Elizabeth I?


She is very much like an independent woman who has rose to such high ranks like today’s Michelle Obama or Condolezza Rice. She is a strong-headed woman. Queen Elizabeth I had the same character as Portia. Perhaps Portia was an inspiration drawn from as well as a tribute paid to Elizabeth I who was a patron of Shakespeare’s works. Queen Elizabeth I had been famous for the defeat of the Spanish Armada She had also created an Elizabethan Era in which English dramas and plays had flourished during this period.
She is celebrated as the ruler of a golden age. Her work on the throne is enormous and helped to give England its own identity. She was a successful monarch and also another strong woman like Portia. The Pope once commented, “She is only a woman, only mistress of half an island.” Portia is seen as a witty, rich, powerful, beautiful, romantic, strong-willed, independent and strong-headed individual, much similar to Elizabeth I’s character.


Topic 3


1. What was the hygiene like in the Elizabethan Era?


It was poor and was plagued with diseases These diseases were due to overpopulation. The diseases also spread very quickly due to the people living in a close community. The filthy living conditions, crowded cities, and poverty also caused many of the feared diseases. Baths were also not taken regularly. Three baths were taken a year by peasants and the lower classes, while people in the upper class bathed about every week. It was considered unhealthy to wash hair often. There was also no flush toilets. There was no sewage system as running water did not exist.


2. What was diet like in the Elizabethan Era?


Fruits and vegetables are given to the poor as they are deemed unworthy by the rich. There was a differentiation of diet relying on one's wealth and ranking. 


3.What was recreation like in the Elizabethan Era?


Large crowds of both men and women of all classes flocked to see bear baiting or bull baiting.The average Elizabethan was not sensitive to the spectacle of physical suffering, either in human beings or in animals. hey, too, were rough and violent like the sports involving animals. Common men played football It was extremely violent as there were few rules. Fencing was one of the most popular of sports.


4. What was accommodation like during the Elizabethan Era?


Many mansions , and small houses were built. There was a housing boom !


5. What was dressing like during the Elizabethan Era?


Elizabethan Women’s Clothing - gowns, hats, corsets, underwear, collars, ruffs and shoes. Elizabethan Men’s Clothing - doublets, breeches, underwear, collars, ruffs, hats and shoes.
Elizabethan clothes provided information about the status of the person wearing them. This was not just dictated by the wealth of the person, it also reflected their social standing.


Topic 4


1.
What was Venice like during the 15th and 16th century? Comment especially on its demographics and culture.


Venice started declining in the 16th century after various attacks like the Kingdoms of France and Spain. However, Venice flourished and was an important trading centre and art centre due to its stable political climate. There were over a 100000 people living in Venice in the 15th and 16th century. Venetian craftsmen produced various decorative arts, including sculptures, lace, glassworks, paintings and ceramics. Merchants traded wool and silk and various other products.


2. Why was Venice important during the 15th and 16th century?


Venice was a centre for Renaissance culture in the 15th and 16th century. Architecture, art, music and literature flourished in Venice. The printing of books in the Italian language was initiated in Venice and contributed to the Italian Renaissance. The Venetian School polychoral compositions were famous throughout Europe in the late 16th century.


3. How is Venice a choice setting for the plot of this play?


Venice was not a forbidden place for the Jews, and that they could work there and work for money. Another reason is that probably Edward De Vere has visited Italy and has a personal revelation or understanding.


Topic 5


1.What was the dominant religion in England and Venice in the 15th and 16th century?

It was Roman Catholicism. 


2. Why was there such animosity between Jews and Christians?
Judaism and Jews were seen as threats to Christianity and were often prejudiced against and discriminated for many centuries. Jews were also discriminated for political and financial issues. The New Testament rejected Judaism and criticized the Jews, which led to further hatred and hostility between the two religions. In addition, rulers often prosecuted and exiled Jews as they were seen as threats to the political stability of the nation.Christians saw the Jews as inferior and that they should be ostracised due to their religion.  


3.In what ways did Christians discriminate against Jews in 15th and 16th century Europe?


 Jews were expelled and restricted in many countries across Europe, including England, Spain, Austria and Portugal. In countries, which allowed Jews, they were forced to live in a certain part of the city (ghettos) and could only engage in certain occupations that were deemed as socially inferior, like tax and rent collecting, peddling and money lending. Jews were forbidden to own land and had restrictions on how the could dress.


Topic 6.
1. In what sort of building were Shakespeare’s plays performed?


-Public theatres
-Private theatres


Public theaters were larger than private ones and held at least 2,500 people. They were built around a courtyard that had no roof. Public theaters gave performances only during daylight hours because they had no lights. Private theaters were smaller, roofed structures. They had candlelight for evening performances. Private theaters charged higher prices and were designed to get richer people.


2. How did the physical constraints of the theatre affect the language of Shakespeare’s plays?


The theatre was open air and there was no scenery around. To make the play seem realistic, Shakespeare would have to describe the setting and time of each new scene to the audience through dialogue or action in the play. Thus, the language of Shakespeare’s plays are often very descriptive in nature.


3. What sort of people acted in plays? What sort of people went to see them?


Only males acted in the plays and no women did. People from all classes went to see the plays as the minimum price of a standing ticket was very cheap and anyone could afford it. Richer people were willing to pay more money for better seats.


4. How was “The Theatre” viewed by Elizabethan society?


The theatre is the earliest purpose-built public London theatre known to Shakespeare. The Elizabethan society viewed the theatre as a place to relax to watch plays. It is also a place for important people to watch plays. There was definitely a differentiation in wealth and standing in the society at that time.


5. Similarities between modern Shakespeare’s Globe and the ancient Globe theatre


The modern day theater was based on the 1614 building, about which more information survives.

Much of the way the present performances are performed in the ancient way, there are no spotlights, plays are staged during daylight hours and in the evenings, there are no microphones, speakers or amplification.Also, all music is performed live on instruments; the actors can see the audience and the audience can see each other.

Both buildings were constructed entirely out of wood.

Differences between modern Shakespeare’s Globe and the ancient Globe theater

The modern version has a larger stage and broader staircases than the ancient theater.

The “pit” (where people would stand to watch the performance) of the modern theater has a concrete surface as opposed to the earthen ground covered with strewn rush in the original theatre.

The seating of the modern theater, at 857, is about 2 times more than the typical audience size of the original theatre.

The modern theater has fire retardents all over the place to prevent another fire, which happend in 1613 and burnt the original theater down.