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 William Shakespeare (1564-1616), was an English Poet, actor, and wrote numerous plays. "Many people regard him as the world’s greatest dramatist and the finest poet England has ever produced." Shakespeare was known for his originality in his language to portray the side of his extraordinary characters. "Critics and readers celebrate him as a great student of human nature." (Shakespeare)

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= = William Shakespeare has had a major influence on Culture throughout the world. Various amounts of his words and phrases are used today in our everyday speech. "Shakespeare's characters, language, and stories are a source of inspiration, quotation, and imitation." Shakespeare's poetry is full of vivid images and metaphors allowing for brilliant imagination. Shakespeare has not only influenced language and literature but has also affected other aspects of our culture. "His plays and poems have long been a required part of a liberal education. Generations of people have absorbed his ideas concerning heroism, romantic love, loyalty, and the nature of tragedy as well as his portraits of particular historical characters." (Shakespeare)

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= =  "As was customary, Shakespeare’s company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, rented performance space." For a majority of the 1590's, Lord Chamberlain’s Men performed in a building called The Theatre. James Burbage, an English actor and theatrical manager, had built the structure on leased land. "After a disagreement with the landlord, the company was forced to find new accommodations." Burbage and Lord Chamberlain’s Men tore down The Theatre and moved it across the River Thames to a new site in Southwark. "There they used the old timbers to erect a new theater called, the Globe Theatre. The Globe could accommodate 3,000 spectators." (Shakespeare)

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 Elizabeth I  (1533-1603), was the queen of England from 1558 until her death in 1603. Her years of rule are often called the Golden Age or the Elizabethan Age because it was a time of great achievement and triumph in England. Elizabeth formed the Church of England, a Protestant religious group, which was England's main church. She long avoided war with Europe's leading Roman Catholic nations. Her English navy had defeated an extremely powerful Spanish fleet, and English merchants and sailors challenged the Spaniards with much more confidence around the world. England's economy prospered greatly during her reign. "Elizabeth's court became a center for musicians, scholars, and writers." (Elizabeth)

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**"Problems at home and abroad** challenged Elizabeth as queen." Struggling Protestant forces in Scotland, France, and the Netherlands seeked Elizabeth's support. "But England's economy was too poor, and the treasury lacked the revenue to support the routine costs of government." Elizabeth also had to make a decision on whether England's religion would be Catholic or Protestant. She had to decide without causing a revolt. With the help of Parliament and her chief adviser, Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth was able to end the war with France. Queen Elizabeth also sent money and weapons to the Scottish Protestants secretely. Elizabeth also hoped to please most of her subjects by developing a church that was primarily Protestant in doctrine. "Elizabeth therefore signed several laws called the Religious Settlement of 1559. The main law, the Act of Supremacy, reestablished the Church of England, which her father set up and Mary tried to abolish." The Church of England was independent of the Roman Catholic Church, but, on the other hand, had similarities to it also. "The Act of Uniformity approved a new prayer book and enforced its use. " (Elizabeth)