This lesson plan explores Renaissance humanism in both "Hamlet" and "The Birth of Venus." Included in the lesson plan is an overview, practice, objectives, resources, preparation, and more.

When presented with the problem of hoards of illiterate commoners, English clergymen in the 11th century created plays to spread word about the Bible. Eventually, the plays moved out of the church and into the streets. Mindy Ploeckelmann...