Shakespeare Webquest

Directions/Grading

For all topics

http://www.elizabethan.org/sites.html

The Globe Theater

• As the expert on the new Globe Theater in London, you were invited to the grand opening celebration.
• Describe the interior and exterior of the new theater. Be sure to include information about how the stage represents Earth, Heaven and Hell.
• Give some information about the background of the theater – where did it come from, how did it get to where it is now, who owns it?
• Discuss the different areas of seating, who would be seated in each area, and what the cost would be to see a play.
• Tell when plays were typically performed and why.

http://absoluteshakespeare.com/trivia/globe/globe.htm

http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/

Spells and Prophesies

• As the expert on spells and prophecies you will discuss the commonly held beliefs during the Elizabethan era about fairies, magic, witches, spells and prophecies.
• You will write an editorial detailing what the common beliefs were and why you believe that these mystical figures really do exist.
• Give examples or true life accounts of interactions with fairies, magic, witches, spells and prophecies.
• Do not sign your name as women who didn’t comply with society were often labeled as witches. (I wouldn’t want anyone to accuse you or your wife of witchcraft!)
• Extra Challenge: If you wish, you and your partner may write editorials on opposing points of view about the topic of fairies, magic, witches, spells and prophecies. Both must fit on your one sheet of paper. You may choose one picture or two, but the total space for graphics must not exceed 1/4th of the page.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-superstitions.htm

http://www.saintives.com/essays/superstitions.htm

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/ideas/thesupernaturalsubj.html

London Travel

• As the expert about London, you will create an advertisement enticing people to come visit London.
• Explain some of the interesting sights, sounds and smells that one might encounter.
• Remember no trip to London would be complete without a visit to London Bridge, the Tower of London and the Globe Theater. Describe these attractions in detail.
• Be sure to issue warnings to visitors to be cautious of the furry and winged residents of London Bridge as well as to stay clear of the “water” running down the center of the London streets.

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/society/sewers.html

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/society/citylondon.html

Plague

• As the expert about the plague, you will be writing an advertisement to sell a new remedy to prevent or cure the plague.
• Mention symptoms of the plague.
• Mention other preventatives or remedies that might have been tried in the past and why your medicine or herbal treatment is superior.
• Think of a catchy title for your ad and the name of your cure or preventative. (i.e. Sick to Death of the Plague? – try Plague Away!)

http://www.folger.edu/imgcolldtl.cfm?imageid=883

http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/plague.html

http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761565483/Plague.html

Religion

• As the expert on religion, you will determine the various points of view that were prevalent at the time. England was a Protestant country that had broken away from the Catholic church. Some Protestants called Puritans, felt that the Church of England had not removed itself far enough from the Catholic church. They wanted to “purify” the church. They also denounced the sinful behavior of the time including going to the theater.
• Your article is to be an editorial written from the point of view of a Puritan. Mention several sinful issues that concerned the Puritans at the time. Be sure to focus on the evils of plays and the theater.
• A suggested graphic might be a picture of a church or some other religious element.

http://renaissance.duelingmodems.com/compendium/7.html

http://elizabethan.org/compendium/21.html

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/religion-elizabethan-england.htm

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/history/thepuritanssubj.html

Pastimes

• As the expert on pastimes of the Elizabethan era, you will be reporting on what people did for enjoyment.
• Include information on animal baiting – bear and bull, and cock fighting.
• Describe where these events took place, who would have attended these events, and the enjoyment people derived from these events.
• Your article should take the form of an advertisement for a new arena in the area where all three types of entertainment took place (at different times).
• Do not make your drawing or graphic excessively bloody.

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~wew/Tattershall-tb/cards.html (card games)

http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/amusements.html

http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/sportsandentertainment.html

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/society/sports.html

http://elizabethan.org/compendium/49.html

Food

• As the expert on food during the Elizabethan era, you will research the types of food eaten by the common man. Similar fare would be served at local taverns as well as at home.
• You are to create a menu for a tavern listing several dishes that were commonly prepared and eaten.
• Explain the food and preparation of that food in detail using many descriptive words. Explain the texture and color of the foods.
• Include two or three “new” foods that would have been available during the time period but not generally eaten by the average man.

http://renaissance.duelingmodems.com/compendium/19.html
(also click on “what we eat” and “more of what we eat”

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/food-art/ (food clip art)

http://www.thousandeggs.com/glossary.html (comprehensive glossary)

http://www.folger.edu/template.cfm?cid=1774

Crime and Punishment

• As the expert on crime during the Elizabethan age, you will describe the crimes and punishments that were common during the time.
• Create a crime sheet listing the type of crime committed and the resulting punishment.
• Be sure to list different types of criminals including rogues, thieves and vagabonds, as well as cutpurses and others.
• Make up names and descriptions of the criminals.

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/punishment.htm

http://www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-crime-punishment.htm

http://www.tomecek.com/jay/CrimeAndPunishment.html

Clothing

• As the expert on men’s clothing, you will need to research the various types of clothing that men wore during Elizabethan times. What was worn was determined by a person’s place or status in society.
• Decide the class of a person whose clothing you will be describing.
• Your task is to write an advertisement for a man’s typical outfit. Be sure to describe the look of the clothing, the fabrics and colors that were commonly used. Include why a man should purchase your particular clothing. Why is it the best?
• Address your advertisement to the class of people who would commonly wear the outfit being advertised.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-clothing.htm

http://www.tomecek.com/jay/Fashions.html

http://www.elizabethan.org/compendium/36.html

http://www.elizabethancostume.net/

• As the expert on women’s clothing, you will need to research the various types of clothing that women wore during Elizabethan times. What was worn was determined by a person’s place or status in society.
• Decide the class of the person whose clothing you will be describing.
• Your task is to write an advertisement for a woman’s typical outfit. Be sure to describe the look of the clothing, the fabrics and colors that were commonly used. Include why a woman should purchase your particular clothing. Why is it the best?
• Address your advertisement to the class of people who would commonly wear the outfit being advertised.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-clothing.htm

http://www.tomecek.com/jay/Fashions.html

http://www.elizabethan.org/compendium/36.html

http://www.elizabethancostume.net/

Queen Elizabeth

• As the expert on Queen Elizabeth I, you will be writing a biographical piece to commemorate the Queen’s 65th birthday.
• Explain some of the highlights of the Queen’s reign. Focus on advancements made during her tenure in office.
• Mention the support that the Queen has given to theater.
• As a loyal subject of the Queen, be sure to only speak positively and flatteringly about the Queen.

http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/eliza.htm

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/eliz1.html

http://www.elizabethancostume.net/influence.html

http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/introelizperiod.html