The time period in which a person lives greatly influences actions. The play writer who is aware of how the time period is like or different from our own is able to help others understand common or unusual actions, fears, or practices in a play. Writers will often be able to use historical background to explain seemingly strange actions or words. For example, some Mother Goose rhymes have references to political events and figures in England. "Ring Around the Rosy, a Pocket Full of Posies" referred to the red ring--a symptom of the plague and the flowers kept in pockets as a possible way of warding it off.

Books of time lines and timetables of history found in most libraries are good places to look.

Think about these things.

Time Setting

1. Various religions of the time period

2. Availability of information

3. Types of art work -- secular and religious

4. Types of music -- secular and religious

5. Important people of that day.

6. Types of literature available and read

7. Other people alive during time period

8. Ideas and ways of thinking in that time period

9. Health concerns -- epidemics, plagues and common diseases

10. Importance and use of time keeping devices

11. Travel and movements of people, commerce, and trade

12. Languages spoken

13. Common ways of communicating

14. Who were the minorities of the era?

15. Major events occurring at same time period

16. Leaders in government

17. Care or use of the environment

18. Who were the friends and who were the enemies?

19. Wars and conflicts

20. Attitudes toward children

21. Attitudes toward boys, girls, men, and women.

22. Ways of dealing with feelings such as fear, love, hate, and stress.

23. Ways of sharing beliefs

24. Occupations of time period

25. Common hopes and dreams of people of time period

26. Scientific inventions in use