AO3

Question 1

King James

Answer 1

• used to go to the stock exchange in disguise.
• in his book he says a ruler should live a virtuous life, ruling with justice and mercy.
• disliked slander against the monarch.
• believed in the divine appointment, an attack on the monarch was considered treason because they are God’s deputies on earth.
• James was known to manipulate processes of justice, believed he theatrically staged his mercy.

Question 2

Sex

Answer 2

• passion clouded reasonable judgement
• man could easily become bestial and join animals on the chain of being if they gave in to baser instincts such as sex.
• loss of reason meant you would act more like a beast.
• attempts to tackle promiscuity resulted in the closing of brothels in Southwark.
• female purity/ virginity was highly valued.

Question 3

Marriage

Answer 3

• marriage was considered to be valid if there was legal promise of marriage followed by consummation.

Question 4

Women

Answer 4

• patriarchal society - women were defined by their relationships to men.
• female silence = chastity
• female eloquence = promiscuity
• women were believed to be inherently sinful - draws from the bible where woman was responsible for sin.
• female chastity was highly valued
• fickle female - women are inconsistent, and deceitful, outward appearances and women’s sexuality could not be trusted.

Question 5

Puritans

Answer 5

• puritans lashed out at activities such as play going, drinking and gambling which led to damnation.
• advocated harsh penalties for fornication and adultery.
• submitted bills to parliament in the hopes of making adultery punishable by death.
• believed that the play depicts the chaotic situation which people would have to live in if the Puritans were given their way.
• Southwark’s moral degeneracy was continually denounced by Puritans.

Question 6

The bible

Answer 6

• Play’s title comes from the Sermon on the Mount “judge not, that ye be judged not. For with what measure you meet, it shall be measured unto you again” (Matthew 7:1-2)

Question 7

The plays genre

Answer 7

• the bed trick was a common device in theatre.
• first half is considered tragedy whilst the second half is considered a comedy.
• marriage is imposed as a correction not a reward for true lovers.
• set in an oddly “unfamilied” world, there are no parents and much distance between siblings or even engaged couples.

Question 8

Other

Answer 8

• common complaint that magistrates did not sufficiently enforce the law.
• Machiavelli - better to be feared than loved, a Prince should employ a deputy to carry out immoral acts so the ruler doesn’t have to.