Expert: Joseph Logue - 5/10/2007

Question
Hello,Joseph. I'm having a lot of trouble with my research project,so can you please help me? The information I'm looking for is soooo hard to find..
I have a couple of questions... ^.^
1)Can you explain the different classes of the class system?-as in their living conditions, rights, and the way they treat each other.
2)What would be some similarities and differences between the Elizabethan era and Today?

Thank you so much, and have a good day! ^-^

Answer
Hello Lily Kim,

There is only space here to give you a rough idea of the information you seek.  Basically, in Elizabethan times, there were four classes of people (there is no real agreement on this, just how I see it):  royalty, the aristocracy, the clergy, and everyone else.  Living conditions had a similar sliding scale going from vast riches and comfort down to the most abject poverty and misery imaginable.  "Treating each other" means that you had your equals (or peers), those above you, or those below you.  You treated your betters with respect, your equals as just that, and those below you with little respect at all.

The second part of your question is tougher -- there really is no similarity today to the way things were.  Sure, some people think they're better than others, but the whole system is gone completely.

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue