HAMLET Context Flashcards
What style of plays did Shakespeare use to write/popular at the time?
Senecan
What is a senecan tragedy defined by?
Voilence and gory revenge tragedies
What other tragedy was Shakespeare inspired by?
The Spanish Tragedy - Thomas kid
What pamplet did James I write?
Demonologie
What superstitions were circuling at the time?
fear and fascination of the supernatural
Did Elizabeth I have a named prediscessor?
No
Who was Gertrude supposedly inspired by?
Mary Queen of Scots
Who was Mary Queen of Scots?
Scottish queen who supposedly married the man who murdered her husband
What was Elizabeth I known as?
A petrarchan lover
What was a petrarchan lover?
The woman is an untouchable and perfect beauty
What did Elizabeth I say about herself?
‘I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and the king of England, too’
Who was Shakespeares son?
Hamnet
Who was Elizabeth I spy network led by?
Sir Francis Walsingham
Why did Elizabeth I set up a spy network?
After being exocumincated by the Pope for making England a protestant nation, many Catholics planned to try and kill her and replace her with Mary Queen of Scotts
What were the 4 humors?
Elizabethan medicene that theorised a persons personality traits was due to an excess of bodily fluids
What personality trait was Gall linked too?
Aggression
What was Humanism?
Placed man at the measure of all things
What was the Great chain of being?
The king or queen was beleived to be chosen by God
What were blood feuds?
Private revenge acts acted upon due to a family member being killed, and avenged upon by either family members through violent acts
Who was Claudius’ scheming and manipulative character be influenced by?
Niccolo Machiavelli - wrote ‘The Prince’ - suggested that rulers must sometimes act ignobly to achieve their goals
