It is estimated that one-third of all well-known English phrases were coined by Shakespeare.
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Fig 5.23 Stratford-on-Avon, the town in which Shakespeare was born.
Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) was an Italian writer from Florence. His book The Prince (1513) explained ways in which rulers could get and keep power. He felt it was more important for rulers to be feared than to be loved. He dedicated the book to the Medici rulers of Florence in the hope they would employ him. He also wrote On the Art of War in 1521 and A History of Florence (1525). Because of the books he wrote, the word Machiavellian now means using sneaky methods to get what you want.
Fig 5.24 Niccolò Machiavelli
RECALL 1. Where was Shakespeare born? 2. What was the name of Shakespeare’s theatre company and where did they perform?
3. Why do you think that Shakespeare’s plays are still performed all around the world?
4. Name one of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies.
5. What is a sonnet? 6. What is The Prince by Machiavelli about? 7. What does the term ‘Machiavellian’ mean?
HISTORICAL EMPATHY
8. Imagine you are attending one of Shakespeare’s plays. Briefly describe what it was like to attend a play during the Renaissance. Include the following details: (a) What is the play? (b) What is the theatre like? (c) The actions of the crowd
9. Write an account about a writer from the Renaissance you have studied. Use the following headings as a guide: (a) His or her name and where s/he was from. (b) His or her early life (c) What kind of works s/he wrote. (d) Some examples of what s/he wrote.