Shakespearean Research Project
The Task
You will research information about daily life in England during William Shakespeare’s time. Supported by your research, you will create a 16th century character and write 3 personal journal entries about that character’s life and times. You will describe what that character sees, hears, feels and thinks. The journals must contain significant topical information.
Each journal entry must:
Be at least 2 pages in length (total of 6 pages for the 3 entries);
Include at least 4 facts (total of 12 for the 3 entries) with in-text notes following proper bibliographic and internal citation format, which we will discuss in class;
Include 1 Shakespearean insult (total of 3 for the 3 entries).
Include a Works Cited page listing at least 2 sources (total of 6 for the 3 entries), one of which must be a non-Internet source.
Step 1 – Decide whether your character is a man or a woman, an adult or a child, a commoner or a nobleperson. Give yourself a period-appropriate name. Then create other personal details about yourself, like your occupation and appearance, based on your research of the Elizabethan/Shakespearean era. Remember the “facts” you create should be as authentic as possible.
Step 2 – Write your journals. Each journal page should reflect the personality of your character. You should have opinions as well as facts in the entries. For example, women may very well have resented being excluded from the theater. Perhaps the woman you have “become” for this project will complain bitterly about this in her journal. Either include your fictitious name in the journal or sign it at the end. Your journal should be a personal interpretation of historical facts.
Journal 1: Attending a Performance of Macbeth at the Globe Theater. For example, if you are a commoner, then you would view the play as a groundling. Write about such topics as:
Groundlings
Admission
Who you see at the theater and where they sit according to rank
What you think about the characters and plot of the play
Stage conventions – fights, explosions, blood, etc.
Props and scenery
Parts of the Globe Theater (platform, tiring house, pit, etc.)
Activities in the yard
Raising the flags to indicate History, Tragedy or Comedy
Refreshments
Women in the theater
Journal 2: Every Day Life. What is your character’s life like? What is his/her job, family like, etc.? For example, you may write about:
Amusements
Clothing
Education
Profession
Family Life
Food
Hairstyles
Housing
Medicine
Occupations
Punishments
Transportation
Journal 3: Special Occasion. What special event takes place in the life of your character? For example, you may write about a:
Coronation
Festival (May Day, County Fair, etc.)
Funeral
Religious Ceremony (Christmas, 12th Night, Easter, etc.)
Tournament (Joust, Archery Contest, Falconry, Equestrian Event)
Wedding
