I am a student at Ōtaki College in Ōtaki, NZ. My blog is a place where I will be able to share some of my learning. Please note....some work won't be edited - they are just my first drafts, so there may be some errors. I would love your feedback, comments, thoughts and ideas on my posts.
Thursday, 27 June 2024
Thursday, 23 May 2024
The Context of Shakespearean Drama
(1564-1616), William Shakespeare, a proficient playwright and poet, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. William Shakespeare was raised in a middle-class family that had money and strong aspirations, his father John Shakespeare was a glover (maker of gloves) by trade and also active in the local government, and his mother, Mary Shakespeare was a writer.
Shakespeare was born during the late 16th century, a time of great cultural and intellectual growth, known as the Renaissance. The Renaissance is an important aspect of Shakespeare's plays because it greatly influenced the themes, ideas, and artistic techniques he incorporated into his work. During this period, there was a renewed interest in classical literature, philosophy, and humanism. The Renaissance not only shaped the themes and ideas of Shakespeare’s plays but also left an indelible mark on the language and style he used. Shakespeare was a diligent playwright and one of the first playwrights to bring the Renaissance’s core values to the theaters.
Being a playwright and poet Shakespeare’s plays were exposed to different kinds of audiences, cultures, and religious beliefs. Performing to different kinds of audiences is an important aspect of Shakespeare's plays because they influenced the way his plays were written and performed. His plays were enjoyed by a wide range of people, from the nobility to the commoners. This diverse audience meant that Shakespeare had to create plays that could appeal to and engage people from various social backgrounds and levels of education. He had to strike a balance between entertaining the masses with elements of comedy and action, while also incorporating deeper themes and complex characters to satisfy the more sophisticated audience members. This versatility in his writing allowed Shakespeare's plays to resonate with people from all walks of life and contributed to their enduring popularity.
Thursday, 14 March 2024
Not the Ninja Turtles - Summer
In my English class, we have been doing a research project based on famous Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
If you grew up watching the TV show 'The Ninja Turtles' you may recognize these names, the author of the Ninja Turtles thought that the quirky names would suit the characters and the concept.
So in this slideshow, I will be researching the upbringing, talents, and interesting facts about each of these supreme Renaissance artists.
Enjoy!