English+Rennaissance+-+Shakespeare

 Shakespeare is most noted for his sonnets, most popular form of love lyric. (AH)
Also known for his impact on drama. Renaissance drama often concerned the complexities of life (human life) on earth, though they also had religious implications. Most plays were written in verse or mostly in verse. (AH)

Shakespeare used knowledge of Roman and Greek classics when he wrote his plays. Previously, these writings had been suppressed by the Catholic Church. (AH)

Theater was once considered to be a disreputable pastime and was frowned upon by the Puritan authorities, who were worried that it might distract people from their religious teachings. (AH)

Link to a list of Shakespeare coined words (AH): http://www.rhymezone.com/g/shakespeare/coinages

**Shakespeare's Work**
Shakespeare is equally regarded for his sonnets as he is for his plays. These sonnets usually contained three main characters: The Fair Youth, Rival Poet, and Dark Lady. Whether these characters were meant to represent real life figures in Shakespeare's life is still up for debate with scholars. -SAB

In addition to popularizing the sonnet, he has his own form which is known, rightfully so, as the "Shakespearean Sonnet". It follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. It consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final conclusive couplet, which is in iambic pentameter. -SAB

"Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind."
//A Midsummer Night's Dream (I, i, 234) –akw//

Shakespeare’s Biography
[] “William Shakespeare's legacy is a body of work that will never again be equaled in Western civilization. His words have endured for 400 years, and still reach across the centuries as powerfully as ever…” -akw

//“All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.” // As You Like It Act 2, scene 7, 139–143 –akw

Shakespeare’s Legacy
[|http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/history/shakespeare.html] “William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and prolific writers in the history of English. His plays include perennial classics like "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "The Tempest," "Julius Caesar," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and he coined many now-common expressions and words. Here is an overview of Shakespeare's impressive legacy.”

He brought many stories into the English language that have gone on to become great classics. He also brought many new phrases and words to our language that are used in conversation on a daily basis. -akw

In addition to popularizing the sonnet, he has his own form which is known, rightfully so, as the "Shakespearean Sonnet". It follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. It consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final conclusive couplet, which is in iambic pentameter. -SAB

 //'Tis but thy name that is my enemy: Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot, Nor arm nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, and for thy name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself. // Romeo and Juliet, act 2, scene 2 - akw