• Probably April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Baptized on April 26, 1564.

• Married Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant with their daughter Susanna, when he was 18.

• Had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died at age 11.

• Began performing with the acting company the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later called the King’s Men) in 1599.

• With business partners, constructed the Globe theatre.

• Wrote 37 plays and numerous sonnets.

• Died April 23, 1616.

Reconstructed in the 1990s

o See pages 284-285 in Elements of Literature book for detailed diagram

In plays during this time…• Only men were permitted

to perform.

• Boys or effeminate men were used to play the women.

• Costumes were often the company’s most valuable asset. Costumes were made by the company, bought in London, or donated by courtiers

The Cost of a Show

• 1 shilling to stand

• 2 shillings to sit in the balcony

• 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income

Tragedy A tragedy is a literary work depicting

serious events in which the main character, who is often high-ranking and dignified, comes to an unhappy end.

Elements of

Tragedy Tragic Hero Tragic Flaw, or Hamartia

Hubris

Catastrophe Catharsis

Tragic Hero “Man of high standard who falls from that high

because of a flaw that has affected many” –Aristotle

Protagonist A tragic hero is neither good nor evil to start.

According to Aristotle, a tragic hero should have “a character between these two extremes-that of a man who is not preeminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error in judgment or frailty.”

Hamartia

(Tragic Flaw) “The error of great frailty” through which the fortunes of the hero of a tragedy are reversed.

Leads to the tragic hero’s downfall May be caused by poor judgment, bad character,

inherited weakness, or any of several other possible causes of error

Must express itself through a definite action, or failure to perform a definite action

Example: Hubris-excessive pride or confidence

Catastrophe The conclusion of a tragic play The final stage in the falling action, ending the

dramatic conflict, winding up the plot and consisting of the actions that result from the climax.

Since it is usually used in connection with tragedy and involves the death of the tragic hero, it is sometimes used to designate an unhappy ending

Catharsis The purging of the emotions experienced by

members of the audience Often, these emotions are pity and/or fear

• It is believed to be bad luck to speak the word “Macbeth” in a theater.

• There have been many horrible occurrences related to this curse. Example: People being accidentally killed onstage

• Set in Scotland

• Written for King James I (formerly of Scotland, now England)

• Queen of Denmark (James’ sister) was visiting

• Shakespeare researched The Chronicles - Banquo is an ancestor of King James I

Motifs• Sleep/Sleeplessness

• Disturbances in nature

• Gender role reversal

• Virtue v. Evil

• Reason v. Passion

Symbols• Dagger

• Bell

• Witches

• Helmeted head

• Bloody child

• Crowned child