Name: ____________________________________

English 8

Date: _______________
Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeares Life and Theater

Directions: Complete the following graphic organizer based on the various passages presented on
the life and background of William Shakespeare.
Elizabethan England
1. What were the two dominant religions during the 16th century in Elizabethan England?

2. Who broke from the Catholic Church and paved the way for the Protestant Reformation? What
was the result of this?

3. What group benefitted from the religious reforms of the time?

4. Who influenced the subject matter of plays in Elizabethan England? Why?

Growing up Shakespeare
1. Complete the following chart based on school life for boys and girls.
Boys

Girls

2. What were the popular sports of the day?

3. What other form of entertainment was popular?

4. How did children learn to read at the time?

London City Living

1. What was London like during Shakespeares time?

2. What motivated Shakespeare to move to London?

3. What cultural events took place in London during the late 1500s?

4. How did the plagues in London spread? What was the common misconception among the
people at the time?

5. What happened to theaters during this time?

6. What did Shakespeare focus on during the plague?

7. Clothing was a sign of ones rank or social position. What was the repercussion for those
dressing above their status?

8. Complete the chart below regarding the attire of those with money and those who were less
wealthy.
Attire of the Wealthy

Attire of the Less Wealthy