About Clare Washbrook Expertise I can answer questions related to the texts, sonnets or to Shakespeare's life. I can help with historical context and language difficulties. I am a secondary school English and Drama teacher in England and can therefore help current students with the texts which they are studying.
DO NOT ASK ME WHERE HE GOT HIS IDEAS FROM! I know that it is a dreadful question to be posed as homework but I have recieved it dozens of times. The answer can be found in past questions.
Experience I fell in love with Shakespeare at a young age and continue to be enthralled. I have studied Shakespeare to undergraduate level and teach Shakespeare to A-level (age 18). I have performed three of his plays. As an amateur etymologist I am familiar with many misconceptions about the meanings, intent and usage of words in the plays which other people are often unaware of.
Educated to post-graduate level.
Published and performance poet.
Former Journalist, former Editor, occassional Private Tutor. Included in OED as the first writer to use a particular word.
Organizations The Poetry Society
Publications The Radio Times, Books by Dogma, "SO" Magazine, NUS publications, Other Poetry, OED, Publications by PTS others
Education/Credentials BA (HONS) Literature (Theatre minor), MA (current accreditation)
Awards and Honors Bronze Award - International Poetry Awards 2004
Shakespeare - historical context of Romeo and Juliet
Expert: Clare Washbrook - 2/6/2009
Question Hi Clare,
I am writing to ask if you know of any books that would be useful for some research I am doing.
I am a college student directing a Romeo and Juliet production, and I am trying to learn as much as possible about the historical context of renaissance Verona to help the development of the characters, especially the Prince, Paris, and Lord Capulet. With some quick research I found that in the Italian Wars Venice took over Verona in 1406. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Renaissance under "International Relations"). I thought it would be interesting to portray the Prince as a Venetian ruler and Lord Capulet as the descendant of the original ruler of Verona, which helps to explain why the Capulets are jealous that the Venetians have given the Montagues power and status. To explain how this affects each character would be a tangent, so I will just describe what exactly I am trying to research:
1) A detailed story of the major players in the Italian Wars, particularly the taking of Verona in 1406.
2) A description of what everyday life was like for Italian nobility in this period.
3) A description of the titles held, land owned, and the privileges enjoyed by Italian nobility in this period.
4) How law and order was kept in Italian cities at this time.
Can you recommend any books that would help my research?
Thanks,
Daniel
Answer Daniel,
You might be offended by this because I am going to recommend a kids' book, please don't be. This series is the absolute best for social contexts.
Terry Deary's The Ingenious Italians.
It focuses upon the Renaissance and will give you everything you require whilst also being an easy, quick and interesting read.
From that you can seek more detail on particular figures through The Encycopaedia Brittanicca.
For your purposes, you really do not want to get bogged down in complicated histories. You need an easy route in to the information and contexts that you want and then if you wish to research anyone else in greater detail, then you have all the info that an intelligent person needs to google up extras (assuming one cannot be bothered to go look in the Brittannica!)
