Shakespeare+Diary+Entry

__** A Day in London- Rose Gold **__

 * Introduction ~ In this quest, you will become a resident of Elizabethan London. The guided research you will do will prepare you to write a detailed account of one day in your life. **


 * Task ~ You are between 12 and 21 years old and you live in London in 1592-1604. It is summer and you decide you need to go see one of the latest Shakespeare plays. Your task is to write a diary entry for this day. In the entry you should allude to or indicate your age, marital and social status, occupation (if appropriate), religion (if relevant), level of learning and other information you feel is important for us to imagine your character. **


 * Specific questions to answer ~ Supply the following information about yourself ~ **
 * First research each question and record in point form. Then, turn all the information into a journal entry, from the point of view of your character, on the events of the day revealing the information in a subtle, realistic manner. **
 * Remember, the intent of a journal entry is to reflect on the day for the writer you are not writing this for someone else. **


 * You will hand in the written responses (point form) of the questions below and the Journal Entry. Both will be handed in in hard copy form on paper. **




 * 1. Age: ** 14
 * Name: ** Rose Gold
 * Sex: ** Female
 * Marital status: ** Unmarried.
 * Occupation (if any) - ** No occupation
 * Where in London do you live? ** In Blackfriars, on the bank of the Thames.
 * How much education did you receive? ** I received a basic education from my tutor.
 * What were you taught? ** I was taught singing, embroidery, etiquette, reading, writing, Latin, and French.
 * What is your religion? ** I come from a protestant family.
 * How has your religion affected your life in terms of how you are treated by people in power? ** I am treated well by people in power, as I am protestant like Queen Elizabeth.
 * What play do you go to see? ** //Twelfth Night//
 * How did you know it was playing? ** When my father was in town the other day, he saw a white flag being raised (for comedy) that told when and what the next days play would be.
 * What other Shakespeare plays might you have been able to see? ** I have seen //Hamlet// and //As You Like It.//
 * What play by Shakespeare was your favorite until now? ** //As You Like It,// because I love comedies.
 * What actor in the company is your favorite actor? ** Robert Armin, the comedian from 1568 to 1615 in The Lord Chamberlain's Men.
 * How are you dressed when you attend the play? ** I am wearing a whalebone farthingale (a hooped skirt) and corset as well as a fine linen shift under my dress, which is a long indigo satin gown. I also have wide sleeves that are attached to my dress by laces. I was also wearing a mask as prosperous woman do not reveal their identity at the theatre.
 * Describe some of the costumes the actors wear. ** Since the actors are all men, they are wearing very elaborate yet uncomfortable clothing and lots of makeup. Their clothes were very fancy, with feathers and pearls.
 * You are planning to go to a ball (fancy dance party) after the play. How will you dress for that? ** I wear a big dress with larger whalebone hoops, a tight bodice, and a large dress with long sleeves that puff at the top. The neckline goes straight across and then comes up to the sleeves. It is deep crimson velvet, with pearls sewed to the neckline. I wear a string of pearls around my neck also.
 * What did you dine on before going to the theatre? ** I ate a meal of venison and Manchet with a fruit pastry.
 * When did you eat? ** At 11 o'clock, the play was shown in the afternoon.
 * What did you drink? ** Apple-wine.
 * How much did it cost? ** About 2 pence.
 * How much did you pay for your ticket? ** 3 English pennies.
 * Where did you sit? ** I sat with my friend Grace on the side of the Globe theatre stage.
 * A number of your friends chose to spend the afternoon seeing another kind of entertainment, What was it? ** Some went to a joust, and bear baiting.
 * Who was the most important person you recognized in the audience? ** The Lord Mayor, Sir John Gerard.
 * Who ruled England at the time? ** Queen Elizabeth
 * What was some gossip about the ruler? ** There was a big scandal that happened when she was a teenager- people say she had an affair with Thomas Seymour, her step-mother Catherine Parr's husband.
 * Who was the Lord Mayor of London at the time? ** The Lord Mayor is Sir John Gerard.
 * What is the last book you read? ** The Bible.

__** RESOURCES: **__ http://www2.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/costumes.html http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/index.htm

The 24th of July, 1602

Dear Diary,

What a marvellous day! So much happened that I must tell you about. Yesterday when Papa was coming home from the court, he stopped by the town square and saw a white flag being raised! Today we went to the Globe Theatre to see a play- my first in quite a while! I was almost bursting with excitement this morning, so much so that my governess slapped me. She said I am not to pester Mother and Papa, especially after we leave for the theatre, even though she will be looking after me to whole time. I think this is quite atrocious, diary, as I am fourteen now and soon to be married. I certainly think I am old enough to go on an outing with my governess accompanying me. Anyhow, it is quite a shame that the Blackfriars theatre was shut down- we had to take the carriage to the theatre, instead of just walking. I adore walking along the Thames, out in the fresh air, diary. I remember just wanting to leap for joy when I found out the play we are supposed to see- Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare. I remember seeing two of his plays before, and I had quite enjoyed them. This new one was a comedy, my favourite. But I had to compose my self, like any young respectable lady should, as Papa said that is what I must do in order for him to find me a suitable husband. When we got to the theatre in the early afternoon, Mother and Papa deposited their six pennies at the box office, but my governess let me hold Bessie outside for a moment before we went in. I was delighted- she was supposed to stay home with a servant today, but I wanted my little sisters first moments out of our house to be on a trip down the Thames to the magical Globe Theatre. She is a darling little thing- and bound to be, as she is named after our Good Queen Bess. She let my play with her only about a minute though, and then her wet nurse, Jane, took her back to the carriage. The inside of the theatre was dark and grand- as beautiful as ever. I walked through the crowd, my masked head held high as my governess led me. She was furious that I was appearing to forward, and told me to drop my chin like a lady. Another most disagreeable thing I had to do today. When I sat on my cushioned seat carefully, I was delighted to see my best friend Grace across the row. I waved excitedly, but I do not think she saw me for a little while. Soon after the play started- and, oh! it was wonderful! The actors were splendid, especially Robert Armin, who played Feste. It was very funny, and by the end I was almost crying for laughter. After I was told that we were to attend a ball at lords house. I know not his name- Papa thinks it improper for young ladies to know of such political figures. Papa, unfortunately, thinks a lot of things improper. We were taken home to change, and oh, diary! I got to wear my new dress, splendidly made, with the velvet imported from Italy. I can speak a little Italian, yet I know nothing of the culture there aside from it's great quality of velvet. My dress looked fabulous on me- it was dark crimson, trimmed with pearls and a squared off neckline. It was a shame I had to put up my lovely hair in a headdress, but it was beautiful as well, lined with golden satin. The ball was wonderful! I ate a splendid meal of mutton and peacock with some fruity delicacies, and much mead and apple wine. I was wearing a mask there too, everyone was, and it seemed like years before I found Grace. We had a lovely time, dancing with many. We were certainly very happy, as it was a time where we could show our merriment with no harsh reprimands. I'm quite sure my parents had their eyes on me most of the time, but they didn't show any concern. I think they might finally be giving me more freedom- a last treat before marriage, perhaps. That aside, it was all in all a beautiful day. I hope to do it again, diary.

Signed Rose Gold