The World of Shakespeare English III Introduction to Macbeth

Cornell Notes Topic:Questions Class: Period: Date: Notes ? Don’t write everything I say, just the important things. Use abbr. Summary: Please take Cornell notes for slides 3-10

Shakespeare’s Life Born William Shakespeare on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Born William Shakespeare on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His father and mother were illiterate farmers His father and mother were illiterate farmers At the age of 18, he married an older woman, Anne Hathaway. At the age of 18, he married an older woman, Anne Hathaway. He had 3 children- Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. They were illiterate. He had 3 children- Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. They were illiterate. He retired in He retired in He died on April 23, He died on April 23, 1616.

Shakespeare Becomes a Playwright When Shakespeare was in London, Elizabeth I was the queen ( ). This was called the Elizabethan Era. When Shakespeare was in London, Elizabeth I was the queen ( ). This was called the Elizabethan Era. Literature and theater became popular during this time. Literature and theater became popular during this time. He first entered the theater as an actor traveling with different acting companies. He was part-owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which was later changed to the King’s Men. He first entered the theater as an actor traveling with different acting companies. He was part-owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which was 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 didn’t gain popularity until the 19 th century (1800s). Although he was respected during his day, he didn’t gain popularity until the 19 th century (1800s). He wrote 38 plays in total, although his authorship is questioned (what does that mean?) He wrote 38 plays in total, although his authorship is questioned (what does that mean?)

The Mystery…What do YOU think? Shakespeare’s writings are admired everywhere for their intelligence, wit, beauty and humanity. BUT How did someone with no apparent education, in an age when the average educated person knew 3,000 – 4,000 words, manage to produce 36 tragedies and comedies and over 127 poems, using a combined vocabulary of more than 15,000 different words? In his will, Shakespeare left no books or letters and made no reference to any plays. So, is it possible that the plays were written by someone else?

Shakespeare’s Plays Between , he produced most of his known work. Between , he produced most of his known work. His works can be traced back to various literary sources and incidents in his life and the world around him. His writing was influenced by Roman and Italian authors. His works can be traced back to various literary sources and incidents in his life and the world around him. His writing was influenced by Roman and Italian authors. He wrote 3 types of plays: He wrote 3 types of plays: Comedies Comedies Humorous (Obviously) Humorous (Obviously) E.g. A Midsummer Night’s Dream E.g. A Midsummer Night’s Dream Histories Histories Chronicle the lives of royalty Chronicle the lives of royalty E.g. Henry IV, V, VI, VIII E.g. Henry IV, V, VI, VIII Tragedies Tragedies Have fatal endings Have fatal endings E.g. Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth E.g. Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth

Theater in the Elizabethan Age Elizabethans wanted plays with lots of excitement, laughs and romance, with ghosts, stabbings and sword fights. Elizabethans wanted plays with lots of excitement, laughs and romance, with ghosts, stabbings and sword fights. If they were not pleased, the audience would throw rotten eggs and vegetables at the actors. If they were not pleased, the audience would throw rotten eggs and vegetables at the actors. Women were not allowed to act, so men played all parts. Young boys would often play the parts of women. Women were not allowed to act, so men played all parts. Young boys would often play the parts of women.

The Original Globe Theater The original theater was built in 1599 by the acting company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here. The original theater was built in 1599 by the acting company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here. It was 3 stories high, octagon-shaped and had an open air court in the middle. The stage reached into the middle area and was surrounded by tiers of seats that had a roof over them. It was 3 stories high, octagon-shaped and had an open air court in the middle. The stage reached into the middle area and was surrounded by tiers of seats that had a roof over 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 penny to stand in the center. The poor people (called “groundlings”) paid a penny to stand in the center.

The Globe Theater In 1613, the original theater was burned down by a fire during a performance of Henry VIII, ignited by a theatrical cannon. In 1613, the original theater was burned down by a fire during a performance of Henry VIII, ignited by a theatrical cannon. It was rebuilt in It was rebuilt in It was closed by the Puritans in 1642 and destroyed in It was closed by the Puritans in 1642 and destroyed in In 1997, the theater reopened in London under the name of “Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.” In 1997, the theater reopened in London under the name of “Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.”

Shakespeare’s Other Works 154 sonnets 154 sonnets 3 long narrative poems 3 long narrative poems Several other poems Several other poems * (Remember, he wrote 38 plays)

Theatrical Devices Tragedy- the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to handle bad circumstances. Tragedy- the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to handle bad circumstances. Soliloquy- Soliloquy- a long conversation by a person who is talking to him or herself. It is intended to tell the character’s innermost thoughts. The character is usually on stage alone.

Theatrical Devices Irony- the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning, and an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected Irony- the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning, and an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected Dramatic Irony- irony that is understood by the audience, but not grasped by the characters in the play. Dramatic Irony- irony that is understood by the audience, but not grasped by the characters in the play.

Theatrical Devices Aside- part of an actor’s lines supposedly not heard by other actors on stage and intended only for the audience. Aside- part of an actor’s lines supposedly not heard by other actors on stage and intended only for the audience. Rhyme- The same sound at the end of a line. Tie, pie Rhyme- The same sound at the end of a line. Tie, pie Pun- the humorous use of a word or phrase to emphasize the different meanings; a play on words. The science teachers fell in love because they had great chemistry. Pun- the humorous use of a word or phrase to emphasize the different meanings; a play on words. The science teachers fell in love because they had great chemistry. Allusion- a brief reference to something in history, art, religion, etc. Allusion- a brief reference to something in history, art, religion, etc.

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

1616ElizabethGhostsTragedyPun 1613AnneVegetables Soliloquy Rhyme 1564ComediesGlobeDramatic IronyPlot Twist 1558 HistoriesPuritansAsideComic Relief 1616ElizabethGhostsTragedyPun 1613AnneVegetables Soliloquy Rhyme 1564ComediesGlobeDramatic IronyPlot Twist 1558 HistoriesPuritansAsideComic Relief 1. Year that Shakespeare retired. 2. An amusing scene. 3. A character talking to himself. 4. People that closed the Globe. 5. Year of Shakespeare’s birth. 6. Play in which main character is brought to ruin. 7. Only the audience is aware of a counter situation. 8. A play on words. 9. The same sound at the end of a line. 10. Stuff that an audience might throw.

Physical Voting Stand up if you agree with a statement, and stay seated if you disagree with it. Stand up if you agree with a statement, and stay seated if you disagree with it. Be prepared to share your reasoning for your choices. Be prepared to share your reasoning for your choices.

1. People (in general) will do whatever is necessary to achieve their goals.

2. 2. Ambition is a good, positive, and desirable trait for someone to have. *Ambition is synonymous with determination and motivation

3. All leaders are ambitious.

4. It is impossible to be ambitious and also maintain your integrity. * In other words, DETERMINATION and HONESTY cannot go hand-in-hand

5. 5. Everyone is capable of lying, killing, and betrayal; in other words, everyone is capable of being evil.

6. 6. The world is just (fair): if you do something wrong you will be punished for it.

7. 7. Our nature (i.e., our character) is fixed; try as we might, we cannot change who or what we are.

8. 8. Our fate is predetermined; we cannot alter our own destiny.

9. 9. If someone kills another person because s/he is coerced into doing it, the person who did the killing is not responsible for the murder.

Debrief Based on the statements above and prior knowledge from the KWL, what do you predict will happen in Macbeth? What will some of the major themes be?

MACBETH A high-ranking soldier called Macbeth and his best friend Banquo are returning home after fighting some rebels. When they walk through the woods, they meet three witches who predict that Macbeth will be king one day and that Banquo’s children will be kings too. When Macbeth tells his wife of the witches’ prediction, she says he must kill the king...

The End ENJOY THE ENJOY THE PLAY! PLAY!