Renaissance People 
Roles of people who were important figures during the Renaissance are listed on these pages. Look at the underlined names and carefully read the assignments that go with each. You will be assuming the role (One at a time -- of 4 of these people. Submit the roles of renaissance people you choose to be. As soon as you have made your choices, begin work on the assignment.
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Roles


 

"Life in Elizabethan England"

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Roles
Explorer
Artist
Architect
Poet
Writer
Scientist
Sailor
Playwright
1. Explorer: It is the 1500's . You have just returned to Spain from a 3 year voyage around the world, Write a story [150 or more words) about your journeys. Include such things as;
a) the number of ships and sailors that began the voyage
b) dates involved
c) problems faced by the crewmen
d) a sad event which occurred during the trip
e) a happy event that occurred.
f) names of 10 places countries, islands, continents seen or visited along the way.
g) kinds of products brought back to Europe' from the Far East
h) the number of ships and sailors returning safely to Spain

2. Artist: During the Middle Ages, artists painted pictures having to do with the Bible and religion, but Renaissance painters worked on landscapes portraits and scenes from everyday life. Choose one of the following art project&emdash;a, b, or c -and prepare a detailed sketch in the style of a Renaissance artist.

a) Draw any town or country scene which shows an aspect of life during the Renaissance . You may want to look in your textbook or in an encyclopedia under "Renaissance" for pictures that might give an idea of what to draw.
b)Draw an everyday scene- Prepare a sketch showing people of the Renaissance involved in an activity typical of life in the 1300's, 1400's or 1500's. Use your textbook or an encyclopedia for a source of ideas.
c) Portrait: Choose a famous person of the Renaissance.Find their picture in your textbook or encyclopedia. and do a drawing of that person.

3. Poet: Write a poem about life in the Renaissance. It might be on exploration, education, science, farming, famous people or anything else from the period. Your poem should have at least 16 lines. The first line of the poem should rhyme with the second line, the third line should rhyme with the fourth, line the fifth with the sixth, and so on.

4. Architect: Architecture before the Renaissance centered on the design of churches. But during the 1300's, 1400's and 1500's, attention was also given to the design of palaces, public buildings and homes. As an architect it is your job to draw a building that workers will eventually construct. Make a detailed drawing of either a church, palace, public building or home. Also include a sketch of the building's floor plan.

5. Writer: A new form of literature which appeared during the Renaissance was biography -- a story of someone's life. Choose one of the following famous people of the Renaissance and write their biography: Copernicus, Galileo, Joan of Arc, Shakespeare, Machiavelli, Gutenberg, Columbus, Da Vinci, Michaelangelo,Cartier, Luther. Before writing the biography read about the person in your textbook or in an encyclopedia. Use facts from these sources in your story. (150 or more words)

6. Scientist: You are a scientist specializing in "anatomy" __ the dissecting taking apart for study) of plants and animals. In particular, you are interested in human anatomy. For some time now you have been cutting open dead bodies to study bones, joints and internal organs. Write a report (150 or more words) describing your most recent experiments and findings. You may want to make some sketches of bones, muscles, joints, or internal organs (Internal organs include the heart, lungs, brain, etc.,) Your report should contain information on the location and function of various parts of the body.

7. Sailor: You work for a Portuguese trading company, It is the 1500's and Portugal controls trade between Europe and the Far East. You are a crewman on board a ship that makes two voyages each year around Africa to India, You have just returned from one of these trips when the captain makes an announcement. He says the ship will be leaving for India again in just a few days. 'This is unexpected news because it is usually a month between trips. It means you will not be able to return home to visit friends and family. So you decide to write a letter telling everyone about the just completed voyage to India. Tell the family about your job onboard ship. Mention kinds of goods brought back from India for sale in Europe, And be sure to tell how your ship was attacked along the coast of Africa by English sea dogs. (pirates) and how you were a hero in battle. (150 or more words).

8. Playwright: Plays, especially those by England's William Shakespeare, were enjoyed by the people-of Western Europe. Choose one of the following topics -- a, b, or c -- and write a short one act play that has 4 to 6 characters. People you might put in your play are suggested below. Give names to your characters and make up a title for your drama. You may write a comedy or tragedy.

a. Columbus discovers a New World. Scene: Columbus' three ships have been at sea for many weeks and are now approaching San Salvador island off the coast of Florida. San Salvador is the first land area that will be discovered by the crew sent by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to find a rout to the Indies. The time is October 1492. Some suggested characters; Columbus the first mate, a lookout hoping to sight land, other crew members.
b. A Machiavellian King. Scene: The famous Italian writer Machiavelli wrote The Prince which said rulers should use any means--no matter how wicked--to oppose their enemies and force the people
c. Battle Scene: The year is 1588. More than 100 warships have sailed into the English Channel north of France. This fleet--known as the Spanish Armada-- has been sent by Philip II of Spain to attack