The World of The World of ShakespeareShakespeare

Honors Survey Honors Survey of Literatureof Literature

2009-20102009-2010

Cornell Notes Cornell Notes Topic:Topic:

QuestionsQuestions

Class: Period: Date:Class: Period: Date:

NotesNotes

??Don’t write everything Don’t write everything I say, just the I say, just the important things. Use important things. Use abbr.abbr.

Summary:Summary:

Please take Cornell notes for slides 3-10

Shakespeare’s LifeShakespeare’s Life

Born William Shakespeare on April Born William Shakespeare on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon.23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon.

At the age of 18, he married an older At the age of 18, he married an older woman, Anne Hathaway.woman, Anne Hathaway.

He had 3 children- Susanna and He had 3 children- Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith.twins, Hamnet and Judith.

He retired in 1613.He retired in 1613.He died on April 23, 1616.He died on April 23, 1616.

Shakespeare Becomes a Shakespeare Becomes a PlaywrightPlaywright

When Shakespeare was in London, Elizabeth I was When Shakespeare was in London, Elizabeth I was the queen (1558-1603). This was called the the queen (1558-1603). This was called the Elizabethan EraElizabethan Era..

Literature and theater became popular during this Literature and theater became popular during this time.time.

He first entered the theater as an actor traveling He first entered the theater as an actor traveling with different acting companies. He was part-with different acting companies. He was part-owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which was owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which was later changed to the King’s Men.later changed to the King’s Men.

At the age of 27, he decided to try writing plays.At the age of 27, he decided to try writing plays. Although he was respected during his day, he Although he was respected during his day, he

didn’t gain popularity until the 19didn’t gain popularity until the 19thth century (1800s). century (1800s). He wrote 38 plays in total, although his authorship He wrote 38 plays in total, although his authorship

is questioned (what does that mean?)is questioned (what does that mean?)

Shakespeare’s PlaysShakespeare’s Plays

Between 1590-1613, he produced most of his Between 1590-1613, he produced most of his known work.known work.

His works can be traced back to various literary His works can be traced back to various literary sources and incidents in his life and the world sources and incidents in his life and the world around him. His writing was influenced by Roman around him. His writing was influenced by Roman and Italian authors.and Italian authors.

He wrote 3 types of plays:He wrote 3 types of plays: ComediesComedies

Humorous (Obviously)Humorous (Obviously) HistoriesHistories

Chronicle the lives of royaltyChronicle the lives of royalty TragediesTragedies

Have fatal endingsHave fatal endings

Theater in the Elizabethan Theater in the Elizabethan AgeAge

Elizabethans wanted plays with lots of Elizabethans wanted plays with lots of excitement, laughs and romance, with excitement, laughs and romance, with ghosts, stabbings and sword fights.ghosts, stabbings and sword fights.

If they were not pleased, the audience would If they were not pleased, the audience would throw rotten eggs and vegetables at the throw rotten eggs and vegetables at the actors.actors.

Women were not allowed to act, so men had Women were not allowed to act, so men had to play all parts. Young boys would often to play all parts. Young boys would often play the parts of women.play the parts of women.

The Original Globe TheaterThe Original Globe TheaterThe original theater was built in 1599 by The original theater was built in 1599 by

the acting company, Lord Chamberlain’s the acting company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Most of Shakespeare’s plays were Men. Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here.performed here.

It was 3 stories high, octagon-shaped and had It was 3 stories high, octagon-shaped and had an open air court in the middle. The stage an open air court in the middle. The stage reached into the middle area and was reached into the middle area and was surrounded by tiers of seats that had a roof over surrounded by tiers of seats that had a roof over them.them.

The upper- and middle- class sat in the seats.The upper- and middle- class sat in the seats.The poor people (called “groundlings”) paid a The poor people (called “groundlings”) paid a

penny to stand in the center.penny to stand in the center.

The Globe TheaterThe Globe Theater

In 1613, the original theater was In 1613, the original theater was burned down by a fire during a burned down by a fire during a performance of performance of Henry VIIIHenry VIII, ignited by , ignited by a theatrical cannon.a theatrical cannon.

It was rebuilt in 1614.It was rebuilt in 1614. It was closed by the Puritans in 1642 It was closed by the Puritans in 1642

and destroyed in 1644.and destroyed in 1644. In 1997, the theater reopened in In 1997, the theater reopened in

London under the name of London under the name of “Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.”“Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.”

Shakespeare’s Other WorksShakespeare’s Other Works

154 sonnets154 sonnets 3 long narrative 3 long narrative

poemspoems Several other Several other

poemspoems

* (Remember, he wrote 38 plays)* (Remember, he wrote 38 plays)

Romeo and JulietRomeo and JulietShakespeare's tragic tale of two star-Shakespeare's tragic tale of two star-

crossed lovers whose families get in crossed lovers whose families get in the way of their happiness.the way of their happiness.

The story came from a poem by Arthur The story came from a poem by Arthur Brooke titled “The Tragicall Historye of Brooke titled “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet.” Romeus and Juliet.”

The first performance of theThe first performance of the

play was in 1591, and it was play was in 1591, and it was

published in 1597.published in 1597.

Theatrical DevicesTheatrical Devices

Tragedy- the main character is brought to Tragedy- the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to handle bad weakness, or inability to handle bad circumstances.circumstances.

Soliloquy-Soliloquy-

a long conversation by a person a long conversation by a person who is talking to him or herself. It who is talking to him or herself. It is intended to tell the character’s is intended to tell the character’s

innermost thoughts. The innermost thoughts. The character is usually on stage character is usually on stage

alone.alone.

Theatrical DevicesTheatrical Devices

Irony- the use of words to convey a Irony- the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning, and an outcome of literal meaning, and an outcome of events contrary to what was, or events contrary to what was, or might have been, expectedmight have been, expected

Dramatic Irony- irony that is Dramatic Irony- irony that is understood by the audience, but not understood by the audience, but not grasped by the characters in the grasped by the characters in the play.play.

Theatrical DevicesTheatrical Devices

Aside- part of an actor’s lines supposedly Aside- part of an actor’s lines supposedly not heard by other actors on stage and not heard by other actors on stage and intended only for the audience.intended only for the audience.

Rhyme- The same sound at the end of a Rhyme- The same sound at the end of a line. line. Tie, pieTie, pie

Pun- the humorous use of a word or Pun- the humorous use of a word or phrase to emphasize the different phrase to emphasize the different meanings; a play on words. meanings; a play on words. The science The science teachers fell in love because they had teachers fell in love because they had great chemistry.great chemistry.

Allusion- a brief reference to something in Allusion- a brief reference to something in history, art, religion, etc. history, art, religion, etc.

Theatrical DevicesTheatrical Devices

Plot Twist- an unexpected change in a Plot Twist- an unexpected change in a story.story.

Comic Relief- 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.

The EndThe End

ENJOY!ENJOY!