Jacobean Context Flashcards
What kind of society was Jacobean society?
Patriarchal (women had more power than men)
How were women supposed to behaviour during the Jacobean period?
- Gentle and nurturing
- Obedient and subservient (willing to obey)
- Focus on their husbands and families
What was the Divine Right of Kings?
The belief that Kings were appointed by God
What was the Great Chain of Being?
The natural hierarchy ordained by God
What happened to King James which made people anxious about the succession of kings?
An attempted assassination of King James (the Gunpowder plot) made people anxious about succession as he had no children
What is the word for killing a king?
Regicide
How did the Great Chain of Being affect gender roles?
Women were placed below men in the Great Chain of Being
How would Jacobeans have viewed women who went against typical feminine qualities?
Unnatural
How would people have viewed the supernatural during the Jacobean period?
They would have been afraid of the supernatural, believing it to be linked with sin and the devil
In 1604, what law did King James made about witchcraft?
It was made a capital offence (anyone found guilty of being a witch could be executed)
During which era was Macbeth first performed?
Jacobean era
