Life in Shakespeare's Day
During the Elizabethan era people were credulous. Their amusing and sometimes brutal sarcasm is now commonly misplaced. There were lots of changes in the social scale, it was no longer necessary to be born a peer in order to become a man of wealth and position. The middle class begins rising into prominence. Higher ranked people were more educated, but the people of the middle/merchant class saw no point in learning to read, write, or really express thought for that matter. The Elizabethan period was a golden time of literature and superstition. Astrology and magic were greatly loved by the people, they often decided to go get their problems or sicknesses charmed away rather than going to the doctor. Gossiping was one of the favorite past times for the Elizabethans. During the Yule-tide festivities all distinctions were seen as temporarily non-existent. Elizabeth showed herself so commonly during these festivities that most people considered the acquaintance almost personal. As far as fashion goes, people were greatly addicted to showy dress. There was always some sort of pageant, coronation, funeral, or progress going on so people loved to dress their best, Even people that were of lower class, if they did not have much nice to wear they still appeared at their best. Some games most people enjoyed were dicing, card playing, and racing. Cheating was generally accepted. All feasts, fairs, and festivals were mostly dictated by the church and religious festivals, such as Valentine's Day, Christmas, Easter, Fool's Day, Day of the Dead, etc. The people loved dramas. Mostly higher class people were the ones that would actually watch the plays, they were greatly enjoyed because they were based off of worldly affairs that actually occurred in everyday life. The tragedies were most peoples favorite, because they often had comedy involved and they also captured the realization that there isn't always a happy ending. The Queen went to St. Paul's in 1588, to render thanks for the victory over Spain. The Black Death was going on during this time and it took many lives, mainly children, including some those in Shakespeare's family. It frightened many people including Shakespeare himself. When Shakespeare couldn't think of a proper would to suit what he was thinking/feeling, he would just create new ones. Many new words were brought to the English language during this time thanks to him.
"Elizabethan Customs & Festivals." Elizabethan Customs & Festivals. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-customs-festivals.htm>.
Stephenson, Henry Thew. Life in Shakespeare's London From Shakespeare's London. New York: H. Holt,1905. Shakespeare Online. 20 August 2009. 29 October 2012. <http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/londonlife/html>.
Stephenson, Henry Thew. Life in Shakespeare's London From Shakespeare's London. New York: H. Holt,1905. Shakespeare Online. 20 August 2009. 29 October 2012. <http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/londonlife/html>.