shakespearean overview presented by mr. afram. table of contents shakespeare’s personal life...
TRANSCRIPT
Shakespearean Overview
Presented by Mr. Afram
Table of Contents
Shakespeare’s Personal Life Political Environment London TheatreShakespearean Language R + J: SettingR + J: ThemesR + J: Essential Questions
Shakespeare’s Personal Life
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England (Roth).
His father was a successful merchant. Given the family’s wealth, scholars believe that young William attended school and studied Latin and Greek, as well as basic Roman literature (Roth).
Stratford-upon-Avon is ninety-five miles from London.
Personal Life, Con’d
Shakespeare eventually found great financial success as a playwright, and he was able to purchase Stratford’s second-largest home (Lacie).
Shakespeare’s family remained in Stratford while his plays were performed in London (Roth).
Shakespeare’s home
Personal Life, Con’d
By the time he was eighteen, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. They eventually had three children (Roth).
Sadly, their only son, Hamnet, died at age 11 (Roth).
An example of women from the upper class
Political Environment
Queen Elizabeth I was England’s ruler at the time. England’s navy was increasing in power, and its overseas exploration was making it rich (Wikipedia).
Queen Elizabeth encouraged the arts, and while many Europeans looked down upon English culture, they respected the London stage (Wikipedia).
Since she never married, Elizabeth was often referred to as the “Virgin Queen.”
London Theatre
By 1594, two theatrical companies competed for the attention of the viewing public: The Lord Admiral’s Men and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Roth).
Shakespeare and the Chamberlain’s Men eventually surpassed their rival for two reasons: Shakespeare was a talented playwright, and Richard Burbage was a fine actor (Roth).
Richard Burbage performed as Hamlet, Othello, and Macbeth.
Note: “Theatre” refers to the art form and “theater” refers to the building.
London Theatre, Con’d
Initially, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men performed at the Theatre. However, after a dispute with the landlord, the company built their new home, The Globe (Roth).
London Theatre, Con’d
In Shakespeare’s day, most of the theaters were outside the city walls. Religious conservatives believed that plays were sinful and encouraged deceptive behavior.
The Puritans punished immoral behavior.
London Theatre, Con’d
Unlike today, the theatre was viewed by members of every social class. For a pence, one could stand in front of the stage for the entire performance. These patrons were referred to as “groundlings.”
The Globe, for example, could accommodate 2,000 people, and guests frequently witnessed Queen Elizabeth 1 in the galleries (Roth).
Even today you can be a grounding at the Globe!
London Theatre, Con’d
Two facts of interest:
All actors in the London theatre were male, and female parts were often played by young boys.
Shakespeare was often known to perform in his own plays!
At the time, women were not allowed to act.
Shakespearean Language
Most of Shakespeare’s work was written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic technique invented by the ancient Greeks (Wikipedia).
An iamb contains two syllables: the first is unstressed and the second is stressed.
Pentameter refers to the fact that that are five sets of iambs, for a total of ten syllables.
Shakespearean Language, Con’d
Examples: “he WENT/ to TOWN/ toDAY/ to BUY/ a
CAR.”
or…
“In SOOTH/ I KNOW/ not WHY/ I AM/ so SAD” (The Merchant of Venice, Act I, scene i).
R + J: Setting
The play is set in Verona, Italy.
Verona is one of the larger cities in northern Italy, and it’s known for great art and architecture (Wikipedia).
R + J: Setting, Con’d
Most of the play’s activity occurs in the Capulet estate.
As a wealthy man in a prosperous city, Lord Capulet is accustomed to luxury.
Italian villas
www.luxist.com
www.allposters.com
R + J: Theme #1
Disguises allow characters to learn the truth about an individual or situation.
Disguises are commonly used in Shakespearean comedies such as Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
www.pcs.org
www.dailycamera.com
R + J: Theme #2
The play also shows the disruptive power of love. In other words, what happens when people fall in love? How does their character change? How do their worlds change?
Love changes our lives
www.michellelebow.net
aibuenglit.pbworks.com
R + J: Theme #3
Openness of sexual desire is also a dominant theme in the play. From the first scene through the play’s end, the characters freely discuss their sexual desires.
The play isn’t shy about sex
frontrow.dmagazine.com
entertainment.xin.msn.com
R + J: Essential Questions
What is love?
How does love change people?
What are the qualities of a strong romantic relationship?
www.desimartini.com
blogs.sfweekly.com
www.cinemablend.com
Works CitedLacie, Christina, ed. Much Ado About Nothing. Hauppage: Barron's
Educational Series, 2009. Print. Shakespeare Made Easy.
Roth, Robert R., ed. Macbeth. Hauppage: Barron's Educational Series,
2002. Print. Simply Shakespeare.
"William Shakespeare." Wikipedia.org. Wikipedia, 29 Feb. 2012. Web. 8
Mar. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare>.