Introduction
Life in Elizabethan England was very different than today. Let's take a look at crime and punishment in England during Shakespeare's time, getting a glimpse into what our playwright would have observed on a daily basis.
Task
Explain the array of punishments that were employed in Elizabethan England and the crimes for which they were used.
Process
Use the websites listed below. Create a three-column chart. Have a column for the object used for torture, have another column for the crime for which that item was used, and finally a column that states which class of citizen received this type of punishment. Start with the least offensive crime and build to the most dastardly crimes, creating a hierarchy of sorts.
http://www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-crime-punishment.htm
http://www.lordsandladies.org/middle-ages-torture.htm
http://www.ancientfortresses.org/the-tower-of-london.htm
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/punishment.htm
Evaluation
Once you have completed your chart, create a Prezi.com presentation which you will present to the class as part of your Shakespeare project.
Conclusion
What do you think about the information you learned about crime and punishment in Elizabethan England? According to todays standards, did their punishments fit the crimes? Why or why not? Which punishment (short of execution) would have been the most difficult to endure?
Credits
This chart and Prezi will be one-third of your final Shakespeare Project grade.