Elizabethan Era Vs Romans

1004 Words3 Pages

Many people had heard of the ancient Romans at least once in their lives and even perhaps they have heard of the Elizabethan people too. They have contributed to history in many forms. The ancient roman period was from 100-40 BCE and the Elizabethan Era was during the 16th century when Queen Elizabeth I was in power. We have seen many aspects of roman and Elizabethan culture but have you ever wondered what the these two distinct time periods have in common? Despite that the romans and the Elizabethan people were from complete different time periods, they still shared some similarities. For example, the roman and Elizabethan era time periods both had a similar way of dressing, government structure, social structure, etc. but the main thing …show more content…

One of the things that they had in common was that they both had a holiday that honored the dead. In ancient Rome, people celebrated Lemuria on the days of May 9, 11, and 13. The romans believed that the souls of their deceased ancestors would come back to haunt them on those days if they didn’t keep them happy. They did things such as walk barefoot, throw beans behind their shoulders, and make noise with pots. The Elizabethan people celebrated the dead on October 31st on all Hallow's Eve. They also believed that the souls of people would return. They did things such as wearing masks, and making bonfires. Both time periods had a way to celebrate the dead even though they were in distinct …show more content…

In his play of Julius Caesar, we encounter a Roman holiday called the Ides of March. The roman calendar is set up different than ours. On March 15 the calendar marks the first day of spring and the first day in the roman calendar. That means that the Idesvof March is basically like a New Year's day. It is also the day Caesar is brutally stabbed to death Brutus and other men. Before Caesar dies, a soothsayer warns Caesar of the Ides of March. According to the play, "A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March." This Shakespearean quote is an allusion because you can say it on March 15 to warn someone and they know it’s a reference to Julius Caesar. In Elizabethan London they had a special holiday called Lamma's Day where they would celebrate the harvest season and have a special mass at church to give thanks to the year's harvest. Lamma's Day connects to Shakespeare because the day before was Juliet's, from Romeo and Juliet, actual birthday. Shakespeare left the exact birth date and age of Juliet the same as in real life. According to Romeo and Juliet, "On Lamma's day Eve at night shall she be fourteen." Now that I know what these holidays are, it is easier to understand what Shakespeare was talking about. Knowing what these holidays are makes one realize the importance that these holidays had and what it had to do with Shakespeare and his literature

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