Edmund I of England

“ I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” (Oscar Wilde) Many people, much like Oscar Wilde, share the love of theatre. Theatre, or other play like performances, have been around since the beginning of time. They first evolved from simple storytelling, to huge productions, much like the Broadway Theatre. This form of entertainment first gain traction in popularity, in…

previous king Duncan I and then was killed by Duncan’s son Malcolm III who then went on to kill Macbeth’s family in order to stabilise his kingship. However, actions like this were not uncommon in the time period as out of fourteen kings who reigned between 943 to 1037, ten of them were murdered (“Macbeth - Historical Background to Macbeth”, 2011). The play can also be seen as being written as a potential warning to any other ‘king-killers’ due to previous attempts at killing King James I lead…

Smiley mentions that the Scottish were sinister and ambiguous. I think the Scottish are sinister because in Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth”, many evil and violent things occurred. For example, the murder of the king, Banquo and Lady Macduff by Macbeth. The Scottish might be ambiguous because of the witches in Macbeth…

The Evil Doings of Mary I “A few deaths is just a small price to pay in order to save England from heresy” (Buchanan 13). This was a quote from Mary I as she burned 300 Christians at a stake for committing treason. But in actuality, these people were killed because they didn’t believe what their supreme ruler did. This was a major part of the Middle Ages and Mary I’s legacy because it dealt with the first female hierarchy’s reign, religion, and the hardships she caused. The biggest question of…

James I and members of the house of parliament that were making life difficult for the Catholics.This is an important event in British history because, it almost ended the lives of the biggest Protestant leaders of that time. Also, how the event that happened over 400 years ago affect people today. After Queen ELizabeth I died in 1603, Catholics hoped her next successor James I. Having a Catholic mother, they hoped he would be more tolerant towards their religion. Unfortunately, King Jame I…

Iago is a very interesting character in William Shakespeare’s play, Othello. The most compelling view of Iago is through the Historical Critical lens. Othello was written between 1601 and 1604 in England, however it was not published until 1622. This was just after the time of the renaissance, 1500-1688 (British Literature Survey) depending on what country you are in. The time period that Shakespeare wrote this play in, has a great impact on who Iago is and how other characters see him. Within…

Was Ivan the Terrible really that “Terrible”? Many of the people of his time believe him to be. However, contradicting to his name Ivan the “Terrible” in English but in Russian he is called Ivan the Grozny which is meant as Ivan the Great. Riveted from a perplexed childhood, indeed, Ivan the Terrible gained power of Russia at the tender age of eight, however, he was formally named Grand Prince of Russia at age 16. Thus, propelling him to the status of youngest ruler of the country, his rise to…

Sir George Calvert was also known as the first Baron of Baltimore. He was born in Yorkshire, England in 1580 to parents, Leonard and Alice Calvert. (“Biography) Calvert was raised with Protestant beliefs. (“Land”) When he was Fourteen years old, he attended Trinity College in Oxford, England and graduated in 1597. (“Baltimore”) Calvert learned to speak three different languages (“Maryland”) He could also write in Latin. While traveling of the continent, he met Sir Robert Cecil.…

although the Oxford Dictionary assumes it to be 1554. Walter Raleigh was born in Devon, England in a farmhouse to Walter Raleigh and Katherine Gilbert. Walter was the youngest of five sons of a Protestant family, and his half brother was the famous explorer, Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Growing up during the Tudor time period, many affluent families sent their sons to chantry schools. At a young age, Walter left England to fight alongside the French Protestants in the Wars of Religion from 1571 to 1574…

The two married in 1565 when Mary became infatuated with her cousin, Darnley. Their marriage infuriated Elizabeth I. Darnley was ambitious and ruthless, so much so that he murdered Mary’s Italian secretary, David Rizzio. Pregnant Mary looked on as her secretary was stabbed fifty-six times. Later on Mary gave birth to her son, the future king of Scotland and England. A few months passed and Mary changed her mind about wanting to be married to Darnley. Mary Queen of Scots husband was…