The Renaissance and Shakespeare

The Renaissance time period began in the 14th century and ended in the 16th century.  The Renaissance had many different names.  The name “The Renaissance” comes from the rebirth of knowledge.  Durning this time is when people started figuring out easier ways to do the things they have been doing since they were born.  The time period also had the name “The Golden Ages”.  It was given this name because of all the cultural advances that they were making, they were also expanding.  “The Elizabethan” name was given to the time period because Queen Elizabeth was in power during these times.  The name I remember this time period by is “The Shakespearean”.  This is when Shakespeare as alive and he started writing all of his plays. 

The Renaissance and the Middle Ages are often compared but in reality there are completely different.  Durning the Middle Ages they made up their own culture as oppose to the Renaissance which took older ideas and merged them with those traditions of the Middle Ages.  The Renaissance also is very known for the knowledge of art and literature durning this time.  Because of the interest of the art and literature it allowed people to discover more then they had ever before.


The Arts started to really be recognized durning this time period.  Visual arts and the preforming arts.  Those aren’t the only two but they were the big ones at this time.  It also put instrumental music on the map.  Personally I am grateful that the preforming arts took off durning this time, if they didn’t I probably would not be doing the technical aspects of theatre.  People started to enjoy and appreciate the arts durning the Renaissance.

Queen Elizabeth's reign is known as the Elizabethan era famous for all the upbringing of english drama, She helped playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe put on their plays.  Some researchers view Queen Elizabeth very different.  They depict Elizabeth as a short-tempered, sometimes indecisive ruler, who enjoyed getting lucky.  Towards the end of her reign, a series of economic and military problems weakened her popularity.

Shakespeare’s play Othello is about a man of color named Othello, who holds a high power in the military.  He falls in love with the senator Barbatnzio’s daughter named Desdemona.  He goes to war and takes her with him so they can get married after the war, but Iago and Roderigo are trying to get Desdemona to fall for Roderigo instead of Othello.  While this is going on Iago is also trying to get Cassio out of his position as Lieutenant because he feels he deserves to have that title.  This is a play about jealousy all the way nobody in this play is happy with what they have, they all want something more.  

Beside Me Always

The sun sets and your still here
When I wake you will call
You will say I wish you were near
If you don't I will feel small
I am determined to get you to stay
When you are away I can not breathe
Without you I can not live one more day
It will happen if we just believe
These words don't ever come out right
I need you in my life
I need you by me tonight
I want to be your wife
So come take my hand
And we will walk barefoot in the sand