Shakespeare's plays were written during a time when the Tudor monarchy was at its height. As a result, many of his plays reflect the Elizabethan worldview, which included the belief that the monarch was chosen by God and therefore had absolute authority. This belief is evident in plays such as "Henry V," in which the king is depicted as a divinely ordained leader who leads his troops to victory against the French.
2. The Great Chain of Being:
The Great Chain of Being was a hierarchical system that placed God at the top, followed by angels, humans, animals, and plants. Each level of the chain was believed to be dependent on the one above it, and any disruption of this order was seen as a threat to the natural order. This belief is reflected in plays such as "King Lear," in which the king's decision to divide his kingdom between his three daughters leads to chaos and violence.
3. The Four Humours:
The four humours were believed to be the four essential fluids that made up the human body: blood, phlegm, choler, and melancholy. Each humour was associated with a particular temperament and personality type. This belief is reflected in plays such as "The Merry Wives of Windsor," in which the characters are often depicted as being either sanguine (cheerful and optimistic), choleric (hot-tempered and aggressive), phlegmatic (calm and unexcitable), or melancholy (sad and depressed).
4. The Seven Deadly Sins:
The seven deadly sins were believed to be the most serious sins that a person could commit: pride, greed, wrath, envy, gluttony, lust, and sloth. These sins were associated with the seven capital sins, which were believed to be the worst of all sins. This belief is reflected in plays such as "The Merchant of Venice," in which Shylock is punished for his greed and usury.
5. The afterlife:
Shakespeare's plays also reflect the Elizabethan beliefs about the afterlife. Most Elizabethans believed in the existence of heaven and hell, and it is suggested that those who led good lives would go to heaven, while those who led evil lives would go to hell. This belief is reflected in plays such as "The Tempest," in which the character of Prospero is ultimately redeemed for his sins and allowed to enter heaven.