The World of Shakespeare

1. The World of Shakespeare Honors Survey of Literature 2009-2010

2. Cornell Notes Please take Cornell notes for slides 3-10

3. Shakespeare’s Life • Born William Shakespeare on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. • At the age of 18, he married an older woman, Anne Hathaway. • He had 3 children- Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. • He retired in 1613. • He died on April 23, 1616.

4. Shakespeare Becomes a Playwright • When Shakespeare was in London, Elizabeth I was the queen (1558-1603). This was called the Elizabethan Era. • Literature and theater became popular during this time. • He first entered the theater as an actor traveling with different acting companies. He was part-owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which was later changed to the King’s Men. • At the age of 27, he decided to try writing plays. • Although he was respected during his day, he didn’t gain popularity until the 19th century (1800s). • He wrote 38 plays in total, although his authorship is questioned (what does that mean?)

5. Shakespeare’s Plays • Between 1590-1613, he produced most of his known work. • His works can be traced back to various literary sources and incidents in his life and the world around him. His writing was influenced by Roman and Italian authors. • He wrote 3 types of plays: • Comedies • Humorous (Obviously) • Histories • Chronicle the lives of royalty • Tragedies • Have fatal endings

6. Theater in the Elizabethan Age • Elizabethans wanted plays with lots of excitement, laughs and romance, with ghosts, stabbings and sword fights. • If they were not pleased, the audience would throw rotten eggs and vegetables at the actors. • Women were not allowed to act, so men had to play all parts. Young boys would often play the parts of women.

7. The Original Globe Theater • The original theater was built in 1599 by the acting company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here. • It was 3 stories high, octagon-shaped and had an open air court in the middle. The stage reached into the middle area and was surrounded by tiers of seats that had a roof over them. • The upper- and middle- class sat in the seats. • The poor people (called “groundlings”) paid a penny to stand in the center.

8. The Globe Theater • In 1613, the original theater was burned down by a fire during a performance of Henry VIII, ignited by a theatrical cannon. • It was rebuilt in 1614. • It was closed by the Puritans in 1642 and destroyed in 1644. • In 1997, the theater reopened in London under the name of “Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.”

9. Shakespeare’s Other Works • 154 sonnets • 3 long narrative poems • Several other poems * (Remember, he wrote 38 plays)

10. Romeo and Juliet • Shakespeare's tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers whose families get in the way of their happiness. • The story came from a poem by Arthur Brooke titled “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet.” • The first performance of the play was in 1591, and it was published in 1597.

11. Theatrical Devices • Tragedy- the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to handle bad circumstances. • Soliloquy- a long conversation by a person who is talking to him or herself. It is intended to tell the character’s innermost thoughts. The character is usually on stage alone.

12. Theatrical Devices • Irony- the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning, and an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected • Dramatic Irony- irony that is understood by the audience, but not grasped by the characters in the play.

13. Theatrical Devices • Aside- part of an actor’s lines supposedly not heard by other actors on stage and intended only for the audience. • Rhyme- The same sound at the end of a line. Tie, pie • Pun- the humorous use of a word or phrase to emphasize the different meanings; a play on words. The science teachers fell in love because they had great chemistry. • Allusion- a brief reference to something in history, art, religion, etc.

14. Theatrical Devices • Plot Twist- an unexpected change in a story. • Comic Relief- an amusing scene, incident, or speech introduced into serious or tragic elements, as in a play, in order to provide temporary relief from tension, or to intensify the dramatic action.

15. The End ENJOY!