Introduction to Shakespeare and

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

William ShakespeareBorn 1564, died 1616Lived during the Renaissance (cultural “rebirth”)Patrons: Queen Elizabeth I, then King James ILeft family in Stratford-on-Avon & went to London to make a living as actor, poet, playwrightMarried Anne Hathaway and had 3 children: Susanna, Hamnet (died age 11) and JudithWrote 37 plays and over 150 sonnets (poems)

The Globe Theatre

Built in 1599, burned down in 1613,rebuilt in 1614, closed in 1642by the Puritans.

Shakespeare’s most famous playspremiered here.

Built across the river from Londonproper - outside city limits.

Open air, daytime performances.Flag flew on performance days.

Inside the TheaterEVERYONE came, from nobles to “groundlings”People came to “hear” a play

emphasis on languageNo curtainMinimal set and props

Acting was not a respected profession

Men played all partsRepertory - same group of actors

Othello: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUKGesWwT6k

Set up for Midsummer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU4zl2x5Iq4

Types of playsComedies Tragedies Histories

Structure:Divided into five actsWritten mostly in verse (poetry)Minimal stage directions

Genres and Conventions

Tragedies and Comedies

Tragedy Comedy

Named after hero of high birth (royal or aristocratic)Hero has a tragic flawEnds in death

No title characters, can be high or low bornMistaken identities, mixed up plans, chaosEnds in marriage

A Midsummer Night’s Dream was written c. 1594, early in

Will’s careerOn “Midsummer Night” ….

Fairies and sprites were especially powerfulPeople had especially vivid dreamsPeople were more susceptible to both love and insanity (perhaps because love was considered a form of insanity!)

“Dream” could meanA fantasyA nightmareThe work of fairiesA way to work through problems

Four Groups of CharactersRulersFour LoversMechanicals (Common Working Men)FairiesTheir lives intersect - chaos ensues.

9

AthensRuled by TheseusDaytimeOrderReasonLawSymmetry

Magic ForestRuled by FairiesNighttimeChaosPassionAnarchyAsymmetry

Two Worlds