Mrs. Grant, English 9 H

Romeo & Juliet Research Project

Renaissance England during the time of the Elizabethan Era (1520-1620)

Assignment Expectations and Rubric [doc]

Formatting, Style, and Citations Help

Related Web Resources 

The following is a list of topics available for research.

1.  Elizabethan Government & Politics – what was the form of government at the time? Who gave the government their power? What is parliament? Who is Queen Elizabeth? Who is James I? What role did the monarch have in government? 
2.  The Church & Religion – what is the difference between Catholics and Protestants?  What role did religion have in government? What role did religion play in the lives of the upper and lower class? How was Christianity influenced by pagan traditions? What is the different between a friar, monk and nun? 
3.  The Law & Legal Institutions – how were rules and laws created? What were the punishments for breaking rules and laws? 
4.  Education & Apprenticeship – How were the schools set up?  Who was educated? How were different classes of people educated? What were the beliefs, traditions and practices of the time? 
5.  Economics & Finance – what was the monetary, banking system of this time period? How did business, government, trade, and spending effect the economy? 
6.  Health, Medicine & Sickness – what were the common illnesses of the time? What was the “black death”? How did the “black death” affect society? How did people stay healthy? What medicines did people take? Where could they get medicine? 
7.  Military & War – how was the military organized? Who were the military leaders? What was the life of a soldier like? 
8.  Patronage of the Arts – Patrons are wealthy people who fund, support, protect, and champion someone or something (such as a person, institution, event, or cause). How were patrons important during Shakespeare’s time and particularly in the performance industry? 
9.  The Theater
10. The Dramatic Profession – what was it like to be an actor at the time? Were actors respected? Why were there strict rules against women being on state? 
11. Printing & Publishing – how was the invention of the printing press revolutionary? What effect did it have on people’s ability to access information? How did it impact Shakespeare and the theater? 
12. Science, Magic, Astrology & Cosmology – how did the sky, stars and planets influence the beliefs of people in the Elizabethan era? Why was “fate” an important concept? 
13. Travel - what were some of the difficulties and dangers of traveling during this time? What were some of the common modes of transportation?  
14. Clothing & Costume – what was the form of dress in Elizabethan England? How did men, woman and children dress? What did people where every day? What did people where on holidays or on special occasions? 
15. Daily Life – research the lives of everyday people in the Elizabethan Era. Think about class & status? How were children viewed? What rights did males & females have? Compare and contrast life in cities, towns, and the country. 
16. Art – who were the famous artists of the time? What words did they produce and why were they important? What artistic medium was the most popular and respected? 
17. Gardens & Landscapes - how was the countryside an important part of the culture? What influence did the natural world have on society? 
18. Sports & Recreation – what sports & games were popular at the time? Who participated? Where there any rewards or consequences? Look at fencing, hunting, archery…etc.