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Question: Attitudes of a Shakespearian audience!?
In the times of Shakespeare (Elizabethan) what would the audience have known about Roman mythology as part of a classical education!?

(I don't think it means poor people, like people that are wealthy and had a good education!?)Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
A portion of his audience would have attended grammar schools and perhaps university, and would have a classical education!. Latin and Greek were the main subjects taught at grammar schools, and classical mythology would have been absorbed by the boys in school!. And even those who had not been to grammar school might have had a knowledge of classical myths, stories from mythology were printed in English translations quite often!. Even poor people might have picked up some stories from mythology, stories were still passed around orally in those days, and it's not impossible that poor people might have picked up some mythological stories!.

The stories of Greek and Roman mythology were well-known in Europe long before the so-called 'Renaissance', there are many references to classical mythology in the works of medieval authors!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Most of the audience would have known the references easily, being members of the merchant and upper classes!. Shakespeare's father was a mere glove-maker and Shakespeare's knowledge comes from his own rather middling education (for his time) which heavily depended upon the Greeks and Romans (a standard part of education that would last until the 19th century, even in America-many early educated Americans were very familiar with Roman and Greek mythology as well as ancient Greek and Latin) His lesser-off audience members (the ones who had to stand) might not have gotten all the references, but Shakespeare was always careful to load up his plays with something for everyone!. You'll notice, especially in his comedies, there's plenty of lowbrow humor, the sort of "kick in the groin" jokes of Elizabethan and Jacobite England!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Absolutely!. One of the great aspects of the European Renaissance, was a re-discovery of everything classical!. Learning Greek and Latin, reading the mythology and philosophy and imitating artistic styles were all the fashion!. The fact that Queen Elizabeth herself was exceptionally educated would have induced people at her court to embrace these classics as well!.

Shakespeare's personal knowledge may have been lacking (he knew "a little Greek and less Latin") but he had fantastic resources (like Holinshed) to draw from when he wrote his plays!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i would assume that greek, roman mythology would be part of their studying cirriculum!. keep in mind that shakespeare wrote plays for a living, therefore, the context of his work is aimed at his audience!. also, many, many stories and plays orginiated from greek and roman mythology!. so therefore, even the commoners would be familiar with its background!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No many people were poor and had not education!. The queen had her own booth that was set up high so when she would laugh people would laugh and when she cried every one else cried!. Www@QuestionHome@Com