Elizabethan England

As well as knowing the biography of the author we also need to know something about the period in which he lived and wrote.

The age of Shakespeare was a great time in English History.The reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) saw England emerge as one of the most powerful nations in the Western World.

At this time, London was the heart of England, reflecting all the vibrant qualities of Elizabethan Age. London was a leading centre of culture. Its dramatists and poets were among the leading literary artists of the day. In this heady environment, Shakespeare lived and wrote.

The Queen's taste in fashion set the standard for the aristocracy and the rest of the society; her love of music, drama and poetry fostered an atmosphere in which many of England's greatest writers found encouragement and financial support. Under Elizabeth's leadership, England experienced the true cultural reawakening or renaissance of thought, art and vision which had begun in Italy a century earlier.

In this era, the theatre was a true common denominator. Everyone, regardless of social class, enjoyed the spectacle of Elizabethan theatre.

At that time, one of the most popular theatres was "The Globe", for which Shakespeare himself was a shareholder. Shakespeare's most successful plays were performed here.