King Lear Context

Question 1

Basilikon Doran

Answer 1

James VI wrote the Basilikon Doran in 1599 to warn his son, Charles I, not to divide his kingdom

Question 2

Great Chain of Being

Answer 2

The great chain of being is a hierarchal structure believed by Christians where God rules and then the monarchy followed by upper and lower classes. Believed in Jacobean times.

Question 3

Sir Brian Annesley

Answer 3

In 1603, Brian Annesley’s daughters attempted to have him certified as insane in attempts to take over his estate.

Question 4

Jacobean devaluing of disabilities

Answer 4

In the Jacobean era, if you had a disability you would have been perceived as weak and therefore blindness would have been not only painful but also humiliating.

Question 5

Gunpowder Plot

Answer 5

In 1605, Guy Fawkes attempted to assassinate James I (VI) by trying to blow up the newly opened Houses of Parliament. The plan was organised by Robert Catesby.

Question 6

Robert Devereux (coup d’etat)

Answer 6

In 1601, Robert Devereux (2nd Earl of Essex) tried to overthrow the government by gathering people together and was executed for treason.

Question 7

The Plague

Answer 7

In 1603, 33,347 people died from the plague

Question 8

The poem ‘Arcadia’

Answer 8

The poem is written by Sannazaro about a blind man who is led to a cliff’s edge by his son. In the Jacobean era, suicide was the biggest sin.

Question 9

The book of Job

Answer 9

The book of Job is one of the first books in the Old Testament of the bible and presents an old man who is righteous and faithful to God but who is punished and tortured.

Question 10

Harsnett Declaration

Answer 10

The 1603 Harsnett Declaration, written by Samuel Harsnett, examines the suffering in society and the mistreatment/lack of justice shown to the mentally ill.

Question 11

Pagan Beliefs

Answer 11

The Pagan religion is based off the power of nature and God controlling nature’s elements

Question 12

‘Demonologie’

Answer 12

King James I wrote a book ‘Demonologie’ about the nature of witchcraft and exorcism

Question 13

Susanna Shakespeare

Answer 13

Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna, was a recusant as she failed to take communion at church multiple times. During the late 16th century, it was mandatory to take communion at least 3 times a year, one of them being Easter and Susanna failed to do this.

Question 14

Divine right of kings

Answer 14

The divine right of kings is a belief that God appoints the monarchy and therefore kings are all powerful and rule the world.