William Shakespeare Life and times Language His works (plays and sonnets) Historical context.

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Life and timesLanguageHis works (plays and sonnets)Historical context

April 23, 1564-April 23, 1616Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon (center of England). It is said that he was born on April 23rd

1 of 8 children—his parents (John and Mary) lost two children before William was born

His early years…

Attended Stratford Grammar School by the age of seven, where he studied Latin and GreekProbably remained in school until about the age of 14, which was the normal age to complete school in the Elizabethan Age.

Marriage and family…Married Anne Hathaway at age 18-she was 26 (pregnant)

They had three children together Susanna, Judith and Hamnet-son (J & H= twins)

Shakespeare apparently left for London while his family stayed behind in Stratford.

“The Lost Years”: 1586-1592

(we are not really sure what he was doing)

His writing years…Shakespeare became an actor and a playwright by 1592.He worked with the theatrical company known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Company—later called the Kings Men when King James came to the throne and supported the company by being its patron.

Shakespeare wrote a total of 37 plays and 154 sonnets (14 line poem with a specific rhyme scheme) & two long narrative poems in his lifetime.

Shakespeare also coined many words and expressions such as bump, catch a cold, pomp and circumstance, assassinate, lonely, and the green-eyed monster.

Authorship Question…

There has been an ongoing debate (since 18th century) amongst scholars on whether or not the man known as Shakespeare actually wrote the works accredited to him. (Some believe that it was actually Sir Francis Bacon)

There is no evidence that he did not write the plays but there is speculation as to whether he wrote all of the plays.

Most of the arguments are purely “snobbery” arguments—stating that someone of Shakespeare’s stature could not possibly write such pieces of literature.

Acting CompaniesReceived their name from their patron

Before acting companies used theaters, they traveled around and performed in local inn yards (ex. Mercutio’s speech in Act III “…minstrels”)

Consisted of about 18 people (12 adults-males and 6 boy apprentices)

Doubling- when an actor took more than one role in a play

Qualities of an actor: good speaking voice, singer, musician, swordsman, required to have a good memory

Shakespeare and Theater“The Theatre” was the first public playhouse built in London. Shakespeare and the acting company performed there until 1599 when their lease expired. Then they built the Globe Theater.

His Theater…Called The Globe-opened in 1599. Shakespeare referred to it as the “Wooden O” as it was a large, round theater made from wood. Originally, this theater belonged to James Burbage.Plays were performed in the afternoon-no artificial lighting.Probably accommodated an audience of 3,000 from all social classes.The “groundlings”-paid a penny to get in and stood on three sides of the stage. Upper classes sat or stood in tiers covered from rain.Worked with limited “props”: the outcome of each play depended solely upon Shakespeare’s words, the actor’s talents, and the participation of the audience. (ex. used swords, daggers, etc.)

His Theater… (cont.)Three stories high, three-level seating , with open roofOctagon-shapedHad a thatched roofLarge platform stage (with trap door) that projected into the audienceNo fancy sets (language depicted the scenes)All parts were portrayed by malesEventually burned in 1613, was rebuilt, but later torn down in 1644. A new Globe Theater stands today.

The Globe / “Wooden O” today…

Outside of the new Globe Theatre (opened in 1997)

Touring the Globe Theater

Let’s take a quick virtual tour of Shakespeare’s theater.

http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/virtualtour/

Short video clips of The Globe Theater:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_455lP-E7OI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptgEU91cUzI&feature=PlayList&p=BD9C127A8DE82A25&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1

About the plays…Archaic words (nice meant foolish or trivial in the Elizabethan Age). Archaic means out of date and that their particular meanings have nearly disappeared from usage.

Written in iambic pentameter (blank verse)

He wrote comedies, tragedies, and histories, and sometimes romance (types of plays)

His plays should be read in the same fashion that you would read poetry.

Shakespeare’s Plays

A few of his 37 plays include:

1. Macbeth

2. Hamlet

3. Julius Caesar

4. The Taming of the Shrew

5. Othello

6. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

7. All’s Well That Ends Well

Example:“Well, in that hit you miss. She’ll not be hit

With Cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit,

And, in strong proof of chastity well armed,

From Love’s weak childish bow she lives uncharmed.

She will not stay the siege of loving terms,

Nor bide th’ encounter of assailing eyes,

Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold.

O, she is rich in beauty; only poor

That, when she dies, with beauty dies her store.”

Five-Part Dramatic Structure

Act I

Exposition/

Introduction

Act II

Rising Action/

Complications

Act V

Climactic Moment/

Resolution (denouement)

Act IV

Falling Action

Act III

Crisis or Turning Point

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

Based on an Italian poem written by Arthur Brooke Two feuding families—the Montague family and the Capulet family.Two “star-crossed lovers”Set mainly in Verona, Italy; some scenes are set in Mantua, Italy during the 14th century.

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (cont.)

Written between 1594-1596

“star-crossed”-Elizabethans believed in astrology, believed that their lives were influenced by the “star” they were born under (look for references to the stars as we read)

Similar to the Greek myth “Pyramus and Thisbe”

Shakespeare made the play his own by adding characters, changing time span of R& J’s relationship, etc.

Themes of Romeo and Juliet1. Love can confer integrity upon two very young people.2. Tragedy can occur when older people’s rage is carried over to a new generation.3. Humans are often powerless to make the kind of world they would like to live in.4. Innocence, virtue, and beauty can be quickly and thoughtlessly destroyed.5. A disordered and chaotic world can bring disaster down on those who live in it.

Motifs in the Play

Motif- repeated images in a work of literature

Several motifs include:

-light and darkness

-the stars

-death

The Elizabethan Age (1558-1603)Named for the reigning Queen, Elizabeth I—assumed the throne after her older half-sister, Mary, died. Elizabeth became Queen at age 25. (King Henry VIII was her father)

Full of ambition, achievement, & promise.

English drama was developed at its highest.

Bubonic plague (Black Death)– closed theaters for time periods

Renaissance (rebirth) of thought, art, and vision for England.

Elizabethan Age continued…London center of everything—booming town

Theatre was a true “common denominator”—all social classes intersected in the theatre. It was the main source of entertainment of its day.

Elizabeth was succeeded by her cousin, James, when she died in 1603.

Romeo and Juliet

Turn to p. 990 in your textbook to begin reading