William Shakespeare Widely regarded as the greatest writer

William Shakespeare Widely regarded as the greatest writer in English

Shakespeare l 1564 -1616 April 23 l Born in Stratford-on. Avon, England l wrote 37 plays l about 154 sonnets l started out as an actor

Stratford-On-Avon Shakespeare’s home

Stage Celebrity 1592 Shakespeare was working as an actor and playwright in London. l 1597 He became a shareholder in Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London theater co. ), in addition to being an actor and playwright for the company. l 1603 James I, renamed the company, The Kings Men. *James I was a patron of Shakespeare. l

The Globe Theatre 1599 LCM built the Globe Theater where most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed.

The Theater l l l l Plays produced for the general public Roofless open air No artificial lighting The stage jutted out into the pit Courtyard surrounded by 3 levels of galleries Groundlings could stand watch for. 01 cent, equal to a 10. 00 movie now. Gallery above stage used for musicians, or as actors balcony.

Globe Interior Diagram

Spectators l Wealthy got benches l “Groundlings” - poorer people stood and watched from the courtyard (“pit”) l All but wealthy were uneducated/illiterate l Much more interaction than today l They would throw rotten food at the actors if it was bad.

The Globe – Interior

Roofless open air theatre Plays were performed rain or shine A canopy covered the stage

Staging Areas l Stage extended into the pit l Dressing & storage rooms in galleries behind & above stage l Second-level gallery, upper stage is famous balcony scene in R & J l Trap door – witches and ghosts exit/enter l “Heavens” angelic beings l A flag above the hut designated comedy or tragedy

Differences from modern theatres l No scenery l The actors had to have good memories, nothing was written down. l Settings references in dialogue l Elaborate costumes l Plenty of props l Fast-paced, colorful 2 hours!

Actors l Only men and boys l Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles l Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Shakespeare wrote: l Comedies l Histories l Tragedies His First Folio published 37 plays in 1623, after his death.

Macbeth l Shakespeare found inspiration from Holinshed’s Chronicles a popular British history book at the time. l The Scottish play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.

Elizabethan (QE 1) Words l An, and: l Anon: l Aye: l But: l E’en: l E’er: If Soon Yes Except for Even Ever

QE 1 Words (cont’d. ) l Haply: l Happy: l Hence: l Hie: l Marry: Perhaps Fortunate Away, from her Hurry Indeed

QE 1 Words (cont’d. ) l. Whence: l. Wilt: l. Withal: l. Would: Where Will, will you In addition to Wish

Prose l Ordinary writing that is not poetry, drama, or song l Only characters in the lower social classes spoke this way in Shakespeare’s plays

Plot l The sequence of events in a literary work l Exposition - The plot usually begins with this: l. Introduces the setting, characters and situation.

Conflict l. The struggle that develops lman vs. man lman vs. himself lman vs. society lman vs. nature

Climax l The turning point of the story - everything begins to unravel from here l. Thus begins the falling action

Resolution l The end of the central conflict

Tragedy (Shakespearean) l Drama where the central character(s) suffer disaster/great misfortune l. In many tragedies, a downfall results from l. Fate l. Character flaw/Fatal flaw l. Combination of the two

Theme l Central idea l Insight about life which explains the downfall l Macbeth - Unchecked ambition can lead to corruption

Dramatic Foil l A character who sets off another character by contrast. l In Macbeth Banquo is a foil for Macbeth.

Soliloquy l Long speech expressing the inner thoughts of a character who is alone on stage. l Typically a spotlight would be on the actor during the soliloquy.

Aside l Words spoken, usually in an undertone directed at the audience, not intended to be heard by the other actors on stage. l Think of Ferris Bueller talking to the camera in the movie.

Dramatic Irony l A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true. l Verbal Irony – when a writer or speaker says one thing and means something entirely different.

Situational Irony l An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience

Comic Relief l Use of comedy within literature that provides “relief” from a serious or sad mood. l In Macbeth it is “The knocking at the gate” scene.

THE END