... The most highly developed form of one of the most elementary of all instruments, the lyre - played by the first musician of classical legend, Orpheus, and dating back to biblical times. It sits half-way between the violins and percussion: being a stringed instrument struck by the fingers of the player, it belongs to both sections. Composers use it for its strong ... smooth and fluid sound; the bassoon's double reed its gruff timbre. RECORDER The recorder, although familiar to children, only makes rare appearances in the orchestra. Widely used by composers from medieval times to the 18th...

• Word Count: 2483
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

THE FOOL Fool n., a., & v. 1. Person who acts or thinks unwisely or imprudently; 2. Jester or clown in medieval great household; 3. Foolish, silly person. The fool of Shakespeare's King Lear is hardly that of the Concise Oxford Dictionary. A dry, sardonic creature with a quick wit, he is used by Shakespeare ... a situation, and the humour comes at his expense; the fool is the master of a situation, and the humour is at his expertise. The professional fool was, in fact, in Elizabethan times, paid to amuse the lords and ladies of the court with his wit. He was often on quite friendly terms wit...

• Word Count: 1465
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... by far one of his more historically accurate plays. This play is the life of young King Henry V, who ascended to the throne after his father, Henry IV's death. These times were much different for England, as Henry V was a noble lord whom everyone loved, whereas angry factions haunted his father's reign. Shakespeare portrays a fairly accurate account of the historical Henry V, but ... of thousands. Although he was regarded as a great king, he was extremely unconstitutional, conjuring up war for no other reason than a whim or his own ambition. The true Henry V was a medieval monster, but ...

• Word Count: 1970
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... important scene of the play, the Zeffirelli version overpowers the Branagh version due to its magnificent use of media techniques. "Mel Gibson's 1990 version strives for realism, with remarkably accurate medieval sets and costumes, and little in the way of a music score" (Easterbrook, Matt's Movie Reviews). Hamlet is a play not to be read but to be visualized and seen as a play ... Design (Hightower, Hamlet). Zeffirelli has outdone himself in emphasizing the set design and costumes of the character. He has strived to give his audience the real taste of the Elizabethan times by creating ...

• Word Count: 2265
• Approx Pages: 9