The Curse of Macbeth Given its shocking history
The Curse of Macbeth �Given its shocking history of disorder and unfortunate events, actors have come to the logical conclusion that major productions of Macbeth are unlucky. �The best known of all theatrical superstitions forbids professional actors from mentioning the name of "that Scottish play" anywhere inside theatre other than onstage.
The Curse of Macbeth � If an actor mistakenly lets the "M" word slip in the dressing room he or she must perform a ritual to reverse the curse. run from the building, 2. turn around three times, 3. and then ask permission to reenter theatre. 1. �It is just as distressing for actors to hear a quote from the play uttered outside theatre. � If this happens, the offender must recite an equal number of lines from another play.
Shakespeare The Man & The Myth
Childhood: �Born circa April 23, 1564 �Stratford-upon-Avon, England �Father was a local prominent merchant �Was not a scholar; did not attend university
Family Life: �Married Ann Hathaway in 1582 �Three Children �His son Hamnet died at age 11, �Many believe Sonnet XVIII is about Hamnet
Sonnet XVIII Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimm'd; But thy eternal summer shall not fade Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st; Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st; So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. �
The Lost Years: 1585 -1592 �We have no records of his life during this time period. �It is speculated that he might have been a teacher, a butcher, or an actor to support his family � 1592: he moves to London while Ann and the kids are still in Stratford-upon-Avon
1590’s �Queen Elizabeth I ruled… �English explorers were crossing the ocean to the New World, and travelers coming to England LOVED watching plays. �This was entertainment EVERYONE could enjoy. �All social classes were able to gather at theatre.
The Playwrights of the Elizabethan & Jacobean Era �Christopher Marlowe**** �Thomas Kyd �William Shakespeare
Elizabethan Theatre �No lighting �No scenery; just a curtain �Held 2, 000 people �Most expensive seats (gallery)= behind the stage � Royalty, wealthy: could only see the actors from behind, but they could be seen by the rest of the audience.
Elizabethan Theatre �The groundlings: audience in the cheap seats, front and center of stage �Theatres closed during the Black Plague…many believed Shakespeare turned to writing sonnets at this time
Costumes: �Richly decorated �Didn’t always match the time period of the play-anachronism �Looking good was more important than being realistic or historically accurate.
Acting �The actors were all men; young boys (ages 12 -14) played female roles �Pay depended on admission sales
The Competition & The Controversy � Christopher Marlow: First great playwright; paved the way for Shakespeare � Many believe he is the true author of Shakespeare’s works. � Rumor has it that Shakespeare did not write his own works because he had NO scholarly education/ no university degree. � No copies of Shakespeare’s plays in his own handwriting have survived. The only known evidence of anything in his hand writing is a copy of his signature shown below.
The Language �The English language was quickly evolving in the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras of England. �Shakespeare’s language reflects this freedom and creativity. �Plays were not originally written as works of literature. They were entertainment for the masses.
Why Study Shakespeare? � Helps us reflect on the human condition � Love, hatred, jealousy, trust, deception � He has influenced our language greatly. � Chances are you have used words and phrases invented by Shakespeare �In a pickle �Laughing stock �Without rhyme or reason �Foul play �Too much of a good thing �swag
Dramatic Terms �Review the list of dramatic terms on page 3 of your packet. �Circle any terms that are new or unfamiliar. �Be prepared to share.
Elements of a Tragedy 1. An Elizabethan or Shakespearean Tragedy must end in some tremendous catastrophe involving the death of the protagonist. 2. The catastrophe must not be the result of mere accident, but must be brought about by some essential trait in the character of the hero acting either directly or through its effect on other persons. 3. The hero must nevertheless have in him something which outweighs his defects and interests us in him so that we care for his fate more than for anything else in the play. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=NWbxp. K 90 I_Q
Elements of a Tragedy Aristotle (384 -322 B. C. ) Greek philosopher who defined the parameters for tragedy: The classic tragedy is composed of 5 Acts: Act I – exposition/inciting incident Act II – rising action (complication of the conflict) Act III – turning point – change in the complication/conflict Act IV – falling action (lowest point, but an introduction of hope) Act V – climax (the catastrophic set of circumstances at the end of the tragedy) � Aristotle did not feel it necessary for the Tragic Hero to die, but at least go from ignorance to knowledge
Elements of a Tragic Hero The protagonist must be a tragic hero with the following qualities: �must be highly renowned (of high class; preferably royalty) �must be neither completely virtuous nor completely villainous �goes against (or occasionally follows) fate/destiny
Elements of a Tragic Hero �downfall must be brought about by Hamartia (flaw) and/or Hubris (exaggerated pride or self confidence) �Anagnorisis, an enlightenment or reversal of fortune must occur before or during the climax brought about by the hero’s nemesis (sometimes the foil) �The fate of the protagonist results in death
Elements of a Tragic Hero �If all of the previous criteria are met, the drama should produce catharsis: a cleansing of the soul. �It was thought that it would produce pity and fear. Pity, because you could sympathize (or empathize) with the character, and fear that if you were in the same �It was believed if the audience cried during or after the climax, then the playwright had done his job
Modern Tragedy or Tragic Hero �Can you think of any modern tragic heroes from current literature, television, or film? �Ticket out the Door: With a partner, list as many tragic heroes as you can possibly think of! Review the elements of a tragic hero for help. A good man with a flaw that causes him to “over reach” and face a downfall…
Please, Do Now: Macbeth Anticipation Guide Agree or Disagree
- Slides: 24