Tiểu Luận Romeo and Juliet’s affair: success or failure?

TOPIC
ROMEO AND JULIET'S AFFAIR: SUCCESS OF FAILURE?​
INTRODUCTION:
1. Social background:
There was a development of capitalist relation in Europe in the15th -16th centuries. The former townspeople became the bourgeoisie who fought against feudalism because help back the development of capitalism. It was then that great geographical discoveries of Columbus, Magellan and other travelers as well as astronomical discoveries of Copernicus, Bruno were made. Universities stopped being citadels of religious learning and turned into centers of humanist study. The development of a new class of the bourgeoisie, social order presented possibilities for man’s creative for man power. The power of church in man’s mind was defeated


2. Historical background:
There were 6 Kings during the Renaissance (1485- 1625):
Henry VII: after “the war of Roses”, Henry was able to build a new nation-state and laid the foundations for one of the most fruitful periods in English history.
Henry VIII: he closed these religious institutions and confiscated their riches, distributing their lands among other landowners and merchants.
Edward VI: he was too young to reign when Henry died so the country was governed by a council, composed of members of the new nobility created by the Tudor.
Mary Tudor: she was inflexible and imprudent. She died in 1558.
Elizabeth I: she was a force for peace, for reconciliation, and for prosperity
James I: He tried to rule without Parliament as much as possible and was a firm believer in the Divine Right of Kings. The quarrels about money continued until his death in 1625.


3. Literary background:
There was a revival of interest in the ancient culture of Greece and Rome (“Renaissance” is French for “rebirth”). The progressive ideology of Renaissance was humanism. Human’s life, the happiness of people and the belief in man’s abilities became the main subjects in fine art and literature. English humanists dreams of social changes that would do away with the vice of society and establish the equality of people. English humanism was both anti-feudal and anti-bourgeois.
It falls into three periods:
+ Early Renaissance (15th century):
This period witnessed the introduction of humanism as the pivotal philosophy of the Renaissance into England.
+ Renaissance peak (16th century)
People saw the flourishing of the English drama. Theatres become a favorite amusement of people. One of the most outstanding dramatist of the period, as well as of all time, was Shakespeare
+ Late Renaissance (beginning of the 17th century- middle of the 17th century): English Renaissance was on the decline, and the English Bourgeoisie Revolution broke out.


4. Background of the author: William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in late April 1564 in Stratford-Avon. It is generally accepted that he attended the King’s New School, the Stratford grammar school known for its classical curriculum, because of his knowledge of Latin classics and written scenes recalling grammar school experiences such as exercise memorized by schoolboys. It is known for certain that at age 18, he marries Anne Hathaway with whom he had 3 children. Susanna was born May 26, 1583 and the twins, Judith and Hamlet, were born February 2, 1585. It is not known for sure how he supported his family or where they lived but the early 1590’s, he was established in London as both an actor and playwright.
In 1613, Shakespeare left London and returned to his native town of Stratford- upon- Avon. Three year later, on April 23, 1616, he died and was buried there. Shakespeare is the author of 2 poems, 37 plays and 154 sonnets. His works are divided in to three periods:


*The first period (1590-1660) was marked by optimism so characteristic of all humanist literature. It is the best reflected in his brilliant comedies and historical chronicles, in characteristics of all humanist literature.
His typical comedies: The Comedies of Errors (1592), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1594) etc. The comedies describe the adventures of young men and woman, their friendship and love, their search for happiness. They are filled with humanist love for people and their belief in the nobleness and kindness of human nature.
Historical chronicles: King Henry VI (part II – 1590), The tragedy of King Richard II (1592) etc They was written on subjects from national history. One of the great achievements of Shakespeare was that in his chronicles he shown not only the King, feudal, and churchmen, the lower classes too


*The second period( 1601-1608): The main works written by Shakespeare are Tragedies such as Romeo and Juliet (in the 90s), Hamlet (1601), King Lear(1605).These works reflect unsolvable contradictions of life, the falsehood injustice and tyranny existing in society.


*The plays of the third period (1609 – 1612) are different from everything written by Shakespeare before. The playwright still touches upon important social and moral problems, but suggests utopian solution to them. His works in this period include romantic and fantastic elements: Cymbeline (1609), The Winter’s Tale (1610)