In the sixteenth-century, books were not yet common items for everyday people or folk to own. Stories, history, and other packages of knowledge were simply passed down from parents to their children as a foundation for all future and learning. In 1571, however, William Shakespeare, like other boys of his class, moved up to grammar school. He had long days, starting at 6am or 7 am until late afternoon. They were also supposed to be proficient in greek and latin, and being able to write.  There was no air conditioning in summer, and in winter heat was provided only by a  simple brazier. Parents would be expected to provide all writing materials ink, paper, quills. Sometimes even wax candles, because they could not see. Literature and Drama were required subjects and heavily taught.  Outside of school, Shakespeare's education would continue in his observation of country life and in the trail of his father's business interests. He would also study folklore and fable through the Coventry Mysteries. He spent much of his time studying, and learning new religions. Shakespeare was forced to quit school early, and never attended university, but he never stopped learning, never stopped reading, never stopped imagining ideas and beliefs of others to create his own unique art.

 

One writer that William read was John Gower. He was born in 1330, and grew up to be a wealthy medieval English poet in the tradition of love and allegory, whose reputation once matched that of his friend Geoffrey Chaucer, and who strongly influenced the writing of other poets of his day. After the 16th century his popularity waned, and interest in him did not revive until the middle of the 20th century. Gower’s three major works are in French, English, and Latin, and he also wrote a series of French balades intended for the English court.. He died 1408, and he influenced many poets across the world, and his work is still admired to this day.The book he wrote was Vox Clamantis. Vox Clamantis is a Latin poem of around 10,000 lines in elegiac verse by John Gower that recounts the events and tragedy of the 1381 Peasants' Rising. The poem takes aim at the corruption of society and laments the rise of evil.

 

Some quotes of his are very inspiring. They have big effects on history.He wrote a story full of rights for justice of time, learning, and how to overcome fears. So the people that read that were affected positively and wanted to change their point of views. Here are a few we have hand selected for you to analyze:

 

1.) "I throw my darts and shoot my arrows at the world. But where there is a righteous man, no arrow strikes"

 

2.) “ I am the voice crying out in the wilderness

Make straight the way of the Lord “

 

3.) “People who shine from within, don’t need spotlight.

 

4.) “There are many these days taking their name from law, that have it for their own sake groundlessly. Without God’s Law and beneath man’s, just as if feigned,they falsely claim to have their name from law.”

 

5.) “I cry out what the people's voice cries out, none do I charge but those the accusation fits.”

 

6.) “And cannot love a man without a gift, As you can see, he is always for sale to all”

 

7.) “This greedy bunch by law gets all the many gains, of men the surface of the earth contains.”

 

8.) “If he is greedy in the first, more in the next, the third stage is the guiltiest of all.”

 

9.) “Why seek silver for yourself?  Why place hope in gold?”

 

10.) “Therefore you should first know yourself, and then know me, and thus wisely reach a correct judgment.”

 

We think that these quotes influenced Shakespeare, and helped him write his own works. The author of this book was very opinionated and stood up for what he thought, so I’m sure that effected Shakespeare and his way of writing.

 

  If you are thinking of stories that influence our generation, here are some we think influenced us: 

 

1.)Shakespeare's poems and stories

2.)How to kill a mockingbird

3.)Old tales and folklores

4.)Old poets

5.)Presidential magazines and booksand many more

 

We think they’ve influenced the way we see and portray things in everyday life. We think some are very inspirational and their opinions change our mind.