Notes on Shakespearean Theater

Technical terms:

Aside Foil Monologue Soliloquy Tragedy

About William Shakespeare: believed to be born on April 23, 1564 – baptismal

record is dated April 26th – traditionally done three days after a child was born.

died on April 23, 1616 (important because it is the Feast Day of St. George, the patron saint of England)

His plays were written from 1590 through 1613

famous and controversial in his own day

Master of the English Renaissance who gave us the foundation for the modern English language

• never meant for publication only for entertainment in the theater

• He wanted MONEY, not literary recognition publication of his works angered

Shakespeare

• Scripts were stolen regularly so that his plays could be published and sold to his fans.

His plays:

The scripts of Shakespeare’s plays were in two accessible forms:

folios

and

quartos.

about the size of a coffee table book

The scripts of Shakespeare’s plays were in two accessible forms:

folios

and

quartos.

like a small paperback book

Quartos• published illegally during Shakespeare's day • cheaper than a full folio, but less accurate copies

hence the variations we have today

• Elaborate costumes and props were used

• Violence on stage was common

Later in the plays, the use of animal organs filled with blood were worn under the costume in fights or murder scenes in order for blood to appear when someone was cut or stabbed.

• All actors were males - female parts were played by apprentice boys

• Sound effects and special effects were also used - some scenery was used, but not extensively due to the need for quick scene changes

• Most plays were done in only a two-hour period

The shows themselves:

The Globe Theater:• Shakespeare had this theater built exclusively for his

plays in 1599

• used sunlight in the afternoon to light up the stage from the southwest

• three stories tall to accommodate as much seating as possible.

• cheapest spots were in the pit with standing room only this cost two pennies

View from the north side

View from the east side

View from the south side

View from the west side

View from directly overhead…

This is why they called it the “Big O.”

Another overhead view

Three tiers of seats for the more affluent folk

THE

PIT

The heavens

The stage and underworld beneath

Ropes to lower people or effects from the heavens

There were trapdoors in the stage for various special effects

Balconies (second level) for musicians and scenes that call for an upper level

Sunlight was used during the afternoon to light the stage.

View from the front entrance

View from the pit

View from the top level seating

View of the seats on the top

View from the stage

View from the bottom level seating

This is the back tower of the rebuilt Globe Theater in London today.

The rebuilt Globe Theater in London

The rebuilt Globe Theater in London

Inside the rebuilt Globe Theater in London

Dramatis Personae of OTHELLO THE MOOR OF VENICE

Othello – the Moor, General of the Venetian military

Iago – Othello’s Ancient (Ensign) in the Venetian military, the villain

Cassio – Othello’s new lieutenant in the Venetian military

Desdemona – wife of Othello, daughter of Brabantio, Venetian gentlewoman

Roderigo – foolish Venetian gentleman

Emilia – wife of Iago

Brabantio – Venetian senator, father of Desdemona

Duke of Venice – Othello’s patron, ruler of Venice

Montano – military governor of Cyprus

Gratiano – brother of Brabantio, father of Lodovico, Venetian gentleman

Lodovico – son of Brabantio, cousin to Desdemona, Venetian gentleman

Bianca – a prostitute of Cyprus

Venice(Act 1)

Rhodes

Cyprus(Acts 2-5)

Setting for Othello

Barbary Coast(land of the Moors)

Ottoman Empire(Turkey)