SHAKESPEAREEmily Dwyer

The Renaissance

◦The Renaissance was a period of time that spread across Europe. It was a “rebirth” and it gave many people a new way of thinking. Slowly, education became more crucial, the church became less of a priority, and people thought more about themselves. Because of these new thoughts and ideas, new art and literature came about. In most of those works, Renaissance ideas show through. Even though Shakespeare’s literary works were created late in the Renaissance, they show many of the concepts of it, including: secularism, individualism, scientific naturalism and humanism.

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare was born in England in 1564, just while Renaissance ideas were reaching the UK. Throughout his lifetime he wrote multiple sonnets and plays. Most of his stories focused on love, or lost love.

Secularism◦Many of Shakespeare’s works focus on love, than they do religion. He actually goes against some Christians beliefs. For example, instead of portraying suicide as a sin, he pities the dead and romanticizes the loss. There is also witchcraft in some of his stories, and he talks about death as if it is a final chapter and there is no afterlife (heaven or hell)

Above is a scene from Shakespeare’s popular play, Romeo and Juliet. Instead of creating a sense of rejection for the two characters, he pities them.

Individualism

◦Shakespeare’s popular play, Macbeth, is an amazing example of individualism. Throughout the story Macbeth shows greed, and even commits murder, to reach his personal goals. In the end he seeks suicide as an answer. This is a common occurrence in Shakespearian literature.

Humanism

◦Humanism is best shown in the play Hamlet. The main character is amerced in his studies of the classics. He focuses on works such as Julius Caesar and shows interest in the liberal arts.

Significance ◦This time period created a sense of secularism, humanism and individualism. It paved a path to the reformation, and different art styles. I believe that the Renaissance was truly a period of “rebirth” and revolutionary change.