Elizabethan+Webquest

CP British Literature

Elizabethan Webquest

Directions: Imagine you are an historian assigned with the task of discovering if the "Good Old Days" really are better. Your role is to carefully research the Elizabethan Times. At the end of the Webquest you will write a one to three paragraph argument essay answering one of the following questions.

** 1. Would it be better to live in Elizabethan Times or Modern Times? Include at least one to two arguments in support of your answer and one counter-claim. Include evidence from your research to support your answer. **

**OR**

**2. Do William Shakespeare's many contributions to the English language and literature make him the greatest English language writer?**

I** nclude at least one to two arguments in support of your answer and one counter-claim. Include evidence from your research to support your answer. **

Let the Quest for Knowledge Begin

**1. How does a girl become the most powerful ruler in the world?**

Click on [|this link] and answer the following questions.
 * 1) Who becomes King of England in 1509?
 * 2) What happens in 1533?
 * 3) What are the events beginning with the death of her father, King Henry VIII,in 1547 that lead to Elizabeth I becoming the Queen of England?
 * 4) Do the math. How old is Elizabeth I when she becomes the Queen of England?
 * 5) Why is Queen Mary I called "Bloody Mary?" (look at the year 1555)
 * 6) When is the first "Black Death or Bubonic Plague?" What does Elizabeth do to protect her court during the plague?
 * 7) Name two writers born in 1564?
 * 8) What happens in 1609 to end the Elizabethan Times?

**2. Why is this time period called Elizabethan Times?** Click on [|this link]and answer the following questions. 9. List at least three major events that happened during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I? Click on [|this link] to answer the question. 10. What is the Renaissance? 11. Based on what you now know about Queen Elizabeth I and the Renaissance explain why this time period is known as Elizabethan Times.

**3.****Shakespeare Biography** Click on [|this link] and answer the following questions. 12. What date do we recognize as Shakespeare's birthday? Why? 13. What was important about Stratford-upon-Avon in the 16th century? 14. Click on the link for 1594 and find the acting companies Shakespeare was associated with in the early days. Name one. 15. Click on 1599 The Great Globe. What is the probable year that Romeo and Juliet was written? 16. What day and year did Shakespeare die? Why is this an interesting date? How old was Shakespeare when he died?

**4. Shakespeare the writer** Click on [|this link] and read the BBC article about William Shakespeare as a writer. 17. What title did William Shakespeare win according to the article? Click on [|this link] and answer the questions about phrases. 18. List three phrases Shakespeare made up. 19. According to Shakespeare what does "sweets to the sweets" mean? What does it mean now? Click on [|this link] to find out more about Shakespeare as a writer. 20. How many words did Shakespeare invent? 21. Describe the differences and similarities between Elizabethan English and Modern English. Click on [|this link] and continue 22. A famous line from //Romeo and Juliet// is when Juliet says, "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" What does "wherefore" mean? 23. What does "stay" mean?

**5. About Marriage** Click on [|this link] and answer the next questions. Romeo & Juliet marry secretly because she is trying to escape the arranged marriage to Paris. Read this site about marriage in Elizabethan England and answer these questions.

24. What does betrothal mean? 25. Name three marriage and betrothal customs found on this page. Click on the link for "more wedding customs. 26. What color should the bride's dress be? 27. How is the intention to marry announced? What happens if it is not announced previous to the event? 28. Describe the wedding procession. 29. What is a dowry?

**6. About Food** Click on [|this link] and continue 30. How many meals do people generally eat each day? Click [|here]. 31. Why would people in Shakespeare's day not know what a chocolate chip cookie is? 32. Lord Capulet throws a huge party, feast and all. Imagine you are in charge of that menu. Luckily for you, today you only have to plan a menu for a small dinner party. Be sure to use only [|food available in Europe] during this time. Choose at least two vegetables, two meats, and two fruits or nuts.

"[|Actors, Acting, & Audience]" is the link for the next questions. When you get to the page click on "Actors, Acting, and Audience." 33. How many women actors did the company usually feature? 34. Was Shakespeare an actor? What was the term used to refer to actors? 35. How were the seating arrangements for the audience? How did one get a good seat? 36. What would the audience do if they did not like a performance?
 * 7. About Theatre in Shakespeare's Time **

8.Elizabethan Times Click [|this link] to explore life in Elizabethan England. Click on any three of the following links and write down at least two facts for each link about life in Elizabethan England. Choose from these: Clothing, Torture, Laws, Women, Children, Daily Life, Superstitions, Medicine.