Shakespeare Macbeth and The Elizabethan Era You Dont

Shakespeare, Macbeth, and The Elizabethan Era

You Don’t Know Billy • William Shakespeare is lauded as perhaps the most prolific and influential writer in the history of the English language. Why? – He was one of the first people to initiate the tradition of dramatic literature in English. – Prose was just starting to be used in plays as Shakespeare was born. – He invented and brought thousands of new words into Modern English. What made him famous: • Started out performing with “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men” • Gave him a chance to write a play • Henry IV, Pt. 1 - It stunk, but they gave him another shot-he succeeded

Shakespeare’s Time Line • 1564 He was born on April 23 in Stratford-on-Avon. • He was born to a middle class family. • His father, John, was a prosperous glove maker, who later became the mayor of Stratford. • Mother was Mary Arden, who was of a socially prominent family. • Both parents were illiterate • Attended Stratford Grammar School. • Studied Latin and the ancients. • He was not unlike any other child of the times! Shakespeare’s Childhood • He was never discovered by any of his teachers. Home -Stratford • All of the teachers of his school were Oxford graduates.

London 1600 • Open gutters, raw sewage, and rotting garbage were the case in most major cities of the time. • Conditions caused the outbreak of the Bubonic plague (black death) • Bubonic plague was rampant from 1563 to 1603. • 1592 the plague hit London hard and theatres were closed down. During this time is when Shakespeare wrote most of his poetry.

• Theatres were a considerable source of concern for the authorities due to the fact that those who attended theatre were not of favorable stature. • Called the groundlings - stood in the dirt of the main floor. • They were immoral, a source of contagion, and used profanity. • Were also seen as extremely antagonistic. (Which the actors encouraged. ) • Authorities were constantly afraid of subversion and propaganda in the actors’ speeches which might cause a state of tension or even revolt. • Theatres were thus located on the outskirts of the city in the slums. This area was called the liberties- paradise for thieves and pickpockets. • People often left their jobs early lured by the diversions of the Liberties. Theatre

When in a play. . . • Only men were permitted to perform • Boys or effeminate men were used to play the women • Costumes were often the company’s most valuable asset • Costumes were made by the company, bought in London, or donated by courtiers

The Cost of a Show • 1 shilling to stand • 2 shillings to sit in the balcony • 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income • Broadway Today: – $85 Orchestra – $160 Balcony

The King of England in 1606 was James I, a Stuart. • There was no Tudor successor to the throne of England. Therefore, Elizabeth I chose James VI of Scotland to succeed her. After her death in 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England. • Elizabeth I had been instrumental in the death of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, who was beheaded. • On her deathbed, Elizabeth wanted to ease her way into Heaven, so she chose Mary’s son James to become the next King of England. • The appointment of James I was a good political move, unifying England Scotland under one King.