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William Shakespeare’s “ The Scottish Play”

William Shakespeare’s “ The Scottish Play”. Background Information and Introduction Mr. McGowan/Ms. Judd – English 3. Background Knowledge. In your notebooks, brainstorm and write down any information or prior knowledge that you have relating to William Shakespeare.

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William Shakespeare’s “ The Scottish Play”

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  1. WilliamShakespeare’s “The Scottish Play” Background Information and Introduction Mr. McGowan/Ms. Judd – English 3

  2. Background Knowledge • In your notebooks, brainstorm and write down any information or prior knowledge that you have relating to William Shakespeare.

  3. Difficulties Reading Shakespeare’s Language • OBSOLETE WORDS • “aroint thee” (be gone) • “runnion” (a gross woman) • “anon” (right away) • “sewer” (a servant who handles food) • “hautboy” (a type of instrument) • WORDS WITH CHANGED MEANINGS • “composition” (peace) • “present” (immediate) • “choppy” (wrinkled) • “addition” (title or rank) • “receipt” (bucket or receptacle)

  4. Inverted Sentence Structure • Consider these sentences: 1. The dog bit the boy. 2. The boy bit the dog. 3. Bit the boy did the dog. 4. The boy the dog bit. What is the SUBJECT of each sentence? (who is doing the biting?) What is the DIRECT OBJECT of each sentence (who is being bitten?)

  5. Rewrite these sentences in a “normal” order 1. Looking? Found someone you have I would say! 2. Help you I can. 3. Mudhole? Slimy? My home this is! 4. No, no. Stay and help you I will find your friend. 5. Yes. Take you to him I will.

  6. Inverted Structure in Macbeth “My noble partner you greet with present grace and great prediction.” – Banquo, (Act I Scene 3 lines 57-58) Translation: “You greet my noble partner with immediate grace and great prediction.”

  7. THE ELIZABETHAN WORLD • Story of Shakespeare begins with Henry VIII (King of England, ruled 1509-1547) • Early in his rule, was married to Catherine of Aragon (daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain) • He divorces her, marries Anne Boleyn

  8. Anne Boleyn gives birth to a daughter, named Elizabeth. Henry wanted a son to take his place as king. Anne had at least 2 miscarriages or stillbirths after the birth of Elizabeth. Henry became impatient, set up Anne to be accused of adultery, and had her beheaded.

  9. Henry had other wives and mistresses – finally, one wife (Jane Seymour) produced him a son – EDWARD. Upon Henry VIII’s death in 1547, Edward became king, bypassing his older half-sisters. However, Edward died at the age of 15 The throne passed first to half-sister Mary (Catholic – had lots of non-Catholics put to death.) “BLOODY MARY”

  10. On death of Mary, her half-sister takes over the throne – becomes QUEEN ELIZABETH I. Rules 1558-1603 (45 year reign) Considered to be a GOLDEN AGE OF ENGLISH CULTURE: THE ELIZABETHAN ERA

  11. What was the Elizabethan Era like overall? • Emphasis on culture- theater, poetry, literature • English military supremacy – naval victories over Spanish Armada • Plans to colonize newly-known Western Hemisphere • Medical superstition – little knowledge about germs or sickness • Explosion of population of London as well as disease (outbursts of plague)

  12. Life of William Shakespeare Shakespeare is born into this Elizabethan world Not much is known about his life, especially before he moved to London and became well-known. Born 1564 in small town called Stratford-upon-Avon Small town 100 miles north of London

  13. It is believed that he was well-educated, especially in Greek and Latin tragedies and English history. 1582 – age 18, marries Anne Hathaway. Has 3 children: Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet By 1592, he had become well-known in London as an actor, playwright, and poet. Belonged to a group called the LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MEN

  14. Replica of Elizabethan-era theater stage • LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MEN • Traveling acting company, sponsored by Lord Chamberlain, an English nobleman • Performed at royal events, private homes, universities, festivals • Shakespeare was a writer, actor, and part-owner of the company.

  15. 1599 – The Lord Chamberlain’s Men build themselves a permanent theater – THE GLOBE. - Has to be located across the river in the town of SOUTHWARK, not in the city of London Why? Due to lack of sanitary conditions, theaters were considered the source of wide spreading of plague.

  16. Conditions in the Theaters • Crowded – especially in front of stage • Open-air: known as “THE PIT” • SRO • One penny admission • “GROUNDLINGS” • Bathroom conditions • Class separation • Rich, royalty • Stage seating

  17. Shakespearean Theater • No curtains or separations from audience • “BARE STAGE” • Establish setting through DIALOGUE • “This castle has a pleasant seat.” –Duncan (I:6.1) • “What wood is this before us?” –Siward. “The wood of Birnam.” –Menteith. (V:4.4-5) • Mountaintops, balcony scenes • Trap door

  18. Major difference: NO FEMALE ACTORS Roles of women are played by young boys. (Improper for women to be on stage.) Therefore, these kinds of scenes were a problem and always drew laughs from the audience: Hamlet (with Ophelia) As You Like It Romeo and Juliet

  19. The JACOBEAN Period • Queen Elizabeth dies in 1603 – ends Elizabethan period • Succeeded by her nephew, JAMES I • Son of Mary, Queen of Scots • Had already been JAMES VI of Scotland • Unites kingdoms of England and Scotland

  20. Shakespeare’s plays written during the reign of King James are known as his JACOBEAN works. OTHELLO - 1603 KING LEAR - 1606 King James was a fan of Lord Chamberlain’s Men and sponsored them. Became known as the KING JAMES MEN. Understandably, Shakespeare’s fame and popularity increased MACBETH - 1606

  21. Later in Life Bust of William Shakespeare at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon Sometime around 1611, he retired to Stratford-upon-Avon as a wealthy man. Died April 23, 1616 – age 52. Final tally: 38 plays, 154 sonnets, several other poems as well

  22. SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYSHistory, Comedy, Tragedy HISTORY: The true story of an English king COMEDY: Happy ending, usually wedding TRAGEDY: Title character dies due to tragic flaw EXAMPLES: Richard II Richard III Henry IV Part 1 Henry IV Part 2 Henry V Henry VI Parts 1, 2, 3 Henry VIII King John EXAMPLES: The Tempest Midsummer Night’s Dream Love’s Labour’s Lost As You Like It The Merchant of Venice Twelfth Night EXAMPLES: King Lear Romeo and Juliet Othello Julius Caesar Macbeth Hamlet Antony and Cleopatra

  23. SHAKESPEARE IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CULTURE • Band of Brothers (Stephen Ambrose, HBO miniseries) • Borrows heavily on themes from Henry V. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,Or close the wall up with our English dead!In peace there's nothing so becomes a manAs modest stillness and humility;But when the blast of war blows in our ears,Then imitate the action of the tiger:Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.Henry V(V:3.44-51)

  24. And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,From this day to the ending of the world,But we in it shall be remember'd;We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;For he to-day that sheds his blood with meShall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,This day shall gentle his condition:And gentlemen in England now a-bedShall think themselves accursed they were not here,And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaksThat fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day. (Henry V, V:3)

  25. Other References 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew She’s the Man (2006) Based on Twelfth Night West Side Story (1961) Adaptation of Romeo and Juliet

  26. Shakespearean Literary Terms • ASIDE • Character whispers to another character or to himself or herself • Cannot be heard by most (or all) other char’s • SOLILOQUY • Long speech by ONE character alone on stage • Heard only by audience • Innermost, TRUE thoughts of the character

  27. IAMBIC PENTAMETER • 10 syllables in a line (5 feet – PENTA) • Alternating stressed and unstressed “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well It were done quickly. If th’assassination Could trammel up the consequence and catch With his surcease success…..” - Macbeth, (I:7.1-4)

  28. Opening Background of MACBETH • First performed in 1606 – King James himself is in the audience • One of James’ ancestors is a character • How do you think that character will be portrayed? • Known as “the Scottish play” • Considered to be cursed • Actor playing Lady Macbeth died on first night • Cause thought be the CAULDRON SCENE

  29. Setting and Characters • Scotland, roughly 1040 • Almost 600 years before it was written • Civil war • Forces of KING DUNCAN vs. • The rebels MACDONWALD and the THANE OF CAWDOR • Macbeth and Banquo • Generals in the army of King Duncan

  30. Other Characters • LADY MACBETH • Macbeth’s wife • MALCOLM and DONALBAIN • Sons of the king Duncan • FLEANCE • Son of Banquo • MACDUFF, LENNOX, ROSS, ANGUS • Noblemen of Scotland • LADY MACDUFF • Wife of Macduff

  31. Major Themes POWER AMBITION GENDER ROLES DECEPTION

  32. More Themes TRUST and LOYALTY GUILT and CONSEQUENCES FATE and DESTINY

  33. Some Major Motifs BLOOD (Family, and the red stuff) ANIMALS (especially nasty ones) CLOTHING (especially clothes that don’t fit properly) FAIR IS FOUL (Unnatural things)

  34. “THE SCOTTISH PLAY” "It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood"

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