James I influence in Shakespeare's Writing

1505 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Christianity in Shakespeare

After the Christian conquest across Europe during the medieval period other beliefs were restricted. This period was very authoritarian but later the Renaissance unlocked opportunities to the imagination and the idea of supernatural started to bloom. Although, the supernatural is sometime mistaken with the gods of certain religions, believing in ghosts and witches was independent from the people chosen religion. The question of the existence of the supernatural, or something bigger than us, in 16th century Europe focused mainly on God from the Christian perspective. During this time other supernatural characters were brought to light, affecting the politics of the monarchies as it did during the rule of King James I in England. Shakespeare's use of the supernatural demonstrates his support for King James I and his beliefs in the extraordinary. Through out history religion has been tied to politics since the beginning of history; what the ruler belief was the set religion for the state. However, England has always been more liberal than the rest of Europe as a result of their distance from mainland. This fact left them the opportunity to explore different ideals but by the Renaissance most England was already Catholic. James from the Stuart House was the son of Henry VII and Mary Queen of Scots, who was executed by Elizabeth I because Mary supported the Catholics, England's enemies. After Queen Mary's death King James was raised as a Protestant and when he became old enough he was of age James VI, King of Scotland. Queen Elizabeth did not have any natural descendants, and James VI became James I of England after she died. The population hoped James would support the Catholics like his mother did, but this did not happen for his Pro... ... middle of paper ... ...ames and Witchcraft, and More... ." Shakespeare Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. . "North Berwick witch trials - Union of Crowns to Union of Parliaments - Scotlands History." Supporting Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), quality and improvement, assessment, community and lifelong learning - Education Scotland. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. . Shakespeare, Williams. Macbeth. Ed. Sidney Lamb and Christopher L. Morrow. Hoboken: Wiley, 2005. Print. Sharratt, Mary. "King James I: Demonologist." Wonders & Marvels — A Community for Curious Minds who love History, its Odd Stories, and Good Reads. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. .

Show More
Related

  • Comparing the Salem Witch Trials and Modern Satanic Trials

    2443 Words  | 5 Pages

    Rosenthal. Bernard. Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials of 1692. Cambridge Mass: Cambridge University Press, 1995.

    Read More

  • Primary Sources for the Salem Witch Trials

    1715 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Salem Trials took place between the 10th of June and the 22nd of 1692 and in this time nineteen people. In addition to this one man was pressed to death and over 150 people where sent to jail where four adult and one infant died. Although when compared to other witch-hunts in the Western world, it was ‘a small incident in the history of a great superstition,’ but has never lost its grip on our imagination’ . It’s because of this that over the last three centuries many historians have analysed the remaining records of the trials in order to work out what the causes and events were that led to them.

    Read More

  • Witchcraft in North America between 17th and 21st century

    1674 Words  | 4 Pages

    Woodward, Walter “New England’s other Witch-hunt: The Hartford Witch-hunt of the 1660s and Changing Patterns in Witchcraft Prosecution” OAH Magazine of History, 2003

    Read More

  • Extent Inquisition Impacted Witchcraft Trials in Central Europe from 1199 to 1580

    2103 Words  | 5 Pages

    Kors, Alan and Peters, Edward. Witchcraft in Europe 400-1700. Philadelphia: University of Philadelphia Press, 2001.

    Read More

  • Mary, Queen of Scots by Gordon Donaldson

    1753 Words  | 4 Pages

    The first chapter in the book discusses the reign of King James V, father of Mary Stuart. He became King of Scotland at the age of one after his father’s death at the Battle of Flodden. His marriage to princess Madeleine ended after her sudden death, and James then married Mary of Guise-Lorraine in 1538. This marriage cemented the Alliance between Scotland and France but worsened relations with England leading to the war with Henry VIII, which ended in Scottish defeat in 1542. James V died in Falkland Palace, on December 14, 1542, “As a worn-out, desperate man, at the age of thirty years”. His daughter Mary, just six days old, was his successor.

    Read More

  • Causes of the Salem Witch Trials

    2019 Words  | 5 Pages

    Hinds, Maurene J. Witchcraft on Trial: From the Salem Witch Hunts to the Crucible. Library ed. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2009. Print.

    Read More

  • William Shakespeare Research Paper

    1468 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, utilized humor and irony as he developed specific language for his plays, thereby influencing literature forever. “Shakespeare became popular in the eighteenth century” (Epstein 8). He was the best all around. “Shakespeare was a classic” (8). William Shakespeare is a very known and popular man that has many works, techniques and ways. Shakespeare is the writer of many famous works of literature. His comedies include humor while his plays and poems include irony. Shakespeare sets himself apart by using his own language and word choice. Shakespeare uses certain types of allusions that people always remember, as in the phrase from Romeo and Juliet, “star-crossed lovers”.

    Read More

  • James Charles Stuart

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    James Charles Stuart was born on June 19, 1566 at Edinburg Castle in Scotland. His father, Lord Darnley, was murdered in 1567 before young James was one year old. His mother, Mary Queen of Scots, subsequently ascended to the Scottish throne. Her reign, however, was short lived and she was forced to relinquish in favor of her son on July 24, 1567. Little James was crowned King James VI of Scotland five days later at the tender age of 13 months. James' mother, Mary, was imprisoned in England by her cousin Queen Elizabeth and 19 years later, in February of 1587, was executed for her part in the conspiracy to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. King James never knew his mother.

    Read More

  • Supernatural Forces In Medieval Europe

    2407 Words  | 5 Pages

    Medieval Europe is characterized by a series of unfortunate and tragically nonsensical events. Due to the unexplainable nature of these tragedies, it became commonplace to assign unnatural explanations to seemingly supernatural events. Medieval Europe is a prime example of an era drowning in constant hysteria; disease, prejudice, and misconceptions dominated the mindsets of the general public. In most occasions, the most rational explanations became the supernatural. ?Supernatural? is a very broad term to describe a constantly shifting subject throughout history; however, the theme pertaining to the perception of supernatural forces remains a relevant and constant ideology. Whether it be through religion, or medicine, or science, supernatural themes are prevalent in many aspects of history. Throughout Medieval Europe, supernatural perceptions influenced the way people viewed the natural world, and also affected the way people behaved and how history developed.

    Read More

  • The Influence of Shakespeare

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    Across the Universe of Time: Shakespeare’s influence on 21st century society. It is harder to imagine a more universal writer than William Shakespeare. Rarely, if ever, is one of his many plays not being performed anywhere in the world and similarly rare is the tertiary English student who has not examined his work at length. His plays, sonnets and poems are common fodder for high school English departments across the globe.

    Read More

  • King James

    351 Words  | 1 Pages

    The King had a devasting childhood since he was the only child and his mother, Mary Queen of the Scots, was placed in prison in 1567 for 19 years then executed in 1587 and also in 1567 his father was murdered. It is said that in 156 Mary had to give up her throne because she was defeated by rebels. This was after James’ father, Lord Henry Barnley was killed in an unexplained explosion at his house.

    Read More

  • How Did Shakespeare Influence The Elizabethan Era

    1381 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare was an English writer who was regarded as one of the best writer during the Elizabethan era. Shakespeare is known for many of his poems and plays that he wrote. Historically women weren’t regarded equally as men were. The education level that was offered during that time was different for men and woman. Woman weren’t getting further education unlike men were. Woman were homeschooled while men went to schools. During the Elizabethan era witches were being prosecuted and executed. William Shakespeare was influenced by the historical and cultural events that took place during the Elizabethan era and implemented it into his play called Macbeth. Major historical events that affected how the play Macbeth was written was witchcraft,

    Read More

  • William Shakespeare Research Paper

    578 Words  | 2 Pages

    Denira NuhanovicHUMN1101 Final Research Project Part 2William ShakespeareThe Renaissance also known as the Golden Age was a cultural rebirth from the fourteenth throughthe seventeenth centuries. The word Renaissance means “rebirth,” “re” means again while “naise” meansbirth, meaning it was a revival in art literature. There were many Renaissance artists such as SandroBotticelli, Titian, William Shakespeare and many more. In fact, William Shakespeare was consideredEngland’s national poets in English history (Eva). William Shakespeare was in London working as an actorand dramatist. He was well known for his plays and poems.William Shakespeare had a beyond creative way of writing his love poems. His poems were sodeep and full of emotion which explained all his lines very well. His poem “Shy love, I think of you” was afamous poem back during

    Read More

  • What Is The Role Of The Supernatural In Macbeth

    970 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the English Renaissance, there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. Thus, the supernatural is a recurring aspect in William Shakespeare 's Macbeth and is an integral and important part of the plot. The role of the supernatural in Macbeth is to bring out emotional reactions within Macbeth that cloud his judgement, affecting his actions which ultimately leads to his downfall. This is demonstrated through the ambiguous prophecies of the witches, the supernatural phenomenon that Macbeth sees, and the apparitions that foreshadow how he will meet his end.

    Read More

  • The Supernatural in Shakespeare's Works

    1740 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s time, the belief in the presence and power of the supernatural touch life at every point. Customs were formed by it and behavior was dictated by it. Not only did the poor believe in it, but all classes of people were under its spell from nobles to the poor. It governed people’s lives down to the smallest details. They carried charms and mascots, found horror in spilling salt and walking under ladders, and dreaded the thirteenth of Friday (May 35-38). They believed that all supernatural elements were at work.

    Read More

More about James I influence in Shakespeare's Writing

Open Document