Jacobean Era: English and Scottish History
Jacobean Times
The Jacobean era refers to the period in English and Scottish history that coincides with the reign of James VI of Scotland (1567–1625), who also inherited the crown of England in 1603 as James I.
The word "Jacobean" is derived from Jacobus, the Latin form of the English name James.
Qualities of a Good Kingship * In Shakespeare’s time kingship was a complicated concept which varied from country to country in Europe, accounting for traditional monarchy, the divine right of kings, primogeniture (the state of being the first born child) and elective monarchy. * One who does his duty to God and to his country * A man of spotless personal integrity.
Divine Order * Was also called the Great Chain of Being * This was religions belief that god had allocated everything that existed its own position is a hierarchy. Eg. Men were considered more important than women. * It was thought that if something or someone tried to change their position in the divine order, then this was sinning against god. * People were taught that the person who was King had been chosen by God. *
Supernatural Beliefs * Shakespeare presents his witches unequivocally as powerful and evil emissaries of the devil. * The majority of the general public, too, believed in witches and the power of the supernatural, and the witch scenes would have been taken very seriously. * Some people didn't believe in it, claiming that it was all superstition. Others took it very seriously, including the King himself, James I, who wrote and published a book about witches and demons, arguing that they were real and a serious danger to the public. Witchcraft had been illegal since 1563, and James was concerned that the law wasn't being enforced strongly enough. * It was believed that witches had the power to curse people: to destroy crops or livestock, cause disease, and even bring on miscarriages and the death of small children (which was, sadly, quite
The Jacobean era refers to the period in English and Scottish history that coincides with the reign of James VI of Scotland (1567–1625), who also inherited the crown of England in 1603 as James I.
The word "Jacobean" is derived from Jacobus, the Latin form of the English name James.
Qualities of a Good Kingship * In Shakespeare’s time kingship was a complicated concept which varied from country to country in Europe, accounting for traditional monarchy, the divine right of kings, primogeniture (the state of being the first born child) and elective monarchy. * One who does his duty to God and to his country * A man of spotless personal integrity.
Divine Order * Was also called the Great Chain of Being * This was religions belief that god had allocated everything that existed its own position is a hierarchy. Eg. Men were considered more important than women. * It was thought that if something or someone tried to change their position in the divine order, then this was sinning against god. * People were taught that the person who was King had been chosen by God. *
Supernatural Beliefs * Shakespeare presents his witches unequivocally as powerful and evil emissaries of the devil. * The majority of the general public, too, believed in witches and the power of the supernatural, and the witch scenes would have been taken very seriously. * Some people didn't believe in it, claiming that it was all superstition. Others took it very seriously, including the King himself, James I, who wrote and published a book about witches and demons, arguing that they were real and a serious danger to the public. Witchcraft had been illegal since 1563, and James was concerned that the law wasn't being enforced strongly enough. * It was believed that witches had the power to curse people: to destroy crops or livestock, cause disease, and even bring on miscarriages and the death of small children (which was, sadly, quite