- Gunpowder plot: in 1605 a group of people plotted to blow up the King and the government by buring 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the Parliament (O.L)
- Although cause is unclear, historians think that this was an attempt to re-establish the Catholic religion, which, from the Elizabeth's reign, was being replaced with a Presbyterian system
- Others believe that this was an attempt by 'agent-provocateurs' to discredit the Jesuits and promote Protestantism
- http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-information-office/g08.pdf
- Social pyramid: King, nobles, vassals, peasants and serfs (O.L)
- Possible for everyone to move higher in the feudal system
- exchanged land for services and created a land-based economy
- http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/feudalism-pyramid.htm
- · The death of Queen Elizabeth I (in 1606) marked the "end of Tudor Absolutism", and the beginning of a transfer from an “absolute monarchy” to “constitutional monarchy and Parliament”. (G.T.)
Absolute Monarchy | Constitutional Monarchy |
· "Unlimited in power and authority" · Claim that their "authority derives directly from God." · " Feel only "accountable to...their conscience and God". | · " "Power is limited by the [legislature]" · "Government rules on [consent of majority]" · " This ultimately challenges the idea that rulers get their authority directly from God." |
(G.T.)
http://faculty.ucc.edu/egh-damerow/glorious_revolution.htm
- Feudalism: In medieval Europe, this was the predominant social system. During this stage of society, the Crown demanded recompense from peasants in exchange for their military protection. Medieval England used this political and economical system from the 9th Century to the 15th Century. (CK)
- During the year of 1606, Pilgrims, part of the Separatists, disagreed with the religious teachings of the Church of England, so they formed their own church. Not agreeing with the church's teachings was equated to disobeying the king. They left England, in search of a suitable location to practice their religion. (CK
Relating our post to another post: Women in Shakespeare's time (LK).
ReplyDelete- The most powerful person in England at the time was Queen Elizabeth I, who proved that women could be just as capable rulers as men.
- Women, regardless of class, always had to serve their husbands. Most women were oppressed and considered the "weaker sex", even if they were noble.
Relating our post to another post by Chris Kim
ReplyDelete- The fact that Macbeth is going against the harsh government and environment that Europe had at the time shows just how driven but also confused Macbeth is from the prophecies.
- What Macbeth is planning to do with his wife surely goes against the religious teachings of the time. This shows his savage but also slightly empathetic personality.
Thomas Johnstone
Relating our post to another post by Gasira: The title of 'king'
ReplyDelete-one of the central themes throughout Macbeth is the addiction to power and power's corrupting capabilitis. Only because at the time in which Macbeth takes place is at a time where the Monarchs have power, since soon after, Monarchs become just a title, which one remove all the reason for Macbeth to consider upsurp Duncan as king.
-Clement Wan
This topic is very closely related to our groups topic, the characteristics of Shakespearean histories vs. tragedies. The entire purpose of Shakespeare's histories was to provide insight into the social organization of England in different time periods. They displayed the relationships of people within and between the different social classes, as well as how a person's status affected their conditions. Shakespeare may have used information such as this when writing in his plays, in order to find ways to create a contrast between his time and the time in which the play took place.
ReplyDelete-Shannon :)