Monarchy Context:
- The monarch at the time of writing was Elizabeth I who was in many ways, similar to Richard.
- She had taken the throne when she was just a child.
- She also surrounded herself with flatters and influential favourites.
- Senior members were scared to depose her, as such the deposition scene (Act 4) was redacted from the play
- Uncensored versions were shown for £2 extra.
Shakespeare
Himself:
- Many critics at the time argued that Shakespeare had lost his touch and Richard II was not going to solve it.
- The play was unpopular but once it was released in print for, it got a following and remains popular today
- The reigning monarch was Elizabeth I and she governed the nation from London.
- Law and order was maintained by the land-owners and enforced by their deputies.
- Average man had no vote and women had no rights.
Religion:
- England was a Christian country and all children were baptized as soon as they were born and were born into the Church of England and were taught the essentials of Christian faith and instructed their duty to God.
- People were forced to attend Church and those who didn’t got a fine.
Education:
- Boys went to school to learn basic reading and writing, they went to Grammar Schools afterwards where they learnt Latin.
- Girls stayed at home and acquired domestic and social skills such as cooking, sewing or even music. The lucky ones might read and write.
Drama:
- Boys had to play the role of women too.
- Most theatres had lots of disease, especially in summer as there was lots of plague.
- Plays were forced to have comedy in to keep the common people entertained.
Theatre:
- Hexagonal in shape, three roofed galleries.
- Balcony useful for a musicians gallery or the acting of scenes above.
- Pillars forming a canopy which seems to have been painted with the sun, moon and stars for the heaven.
- Stage props important for establishing the scene e,g torches symbolised night.
- Actors wearing second-hand clothes.Works Cited: Oxford School Shakespeare Richard II