William Shakespeare

Timeline 1564: Born in Stratford-upon-Avon Learned Latin and studied Greek and Roman Classical literature as a child. His plays were highly influenced by these texts. 1590s: Began acting professionally and writing plays in London. 1599: The Globe Theatre was constructed, in which many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed. 1599: Julius Caesar was performed as the first play to be produced in the Globe Theatre. 1616: Died in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Tragedy “Tragedy is, then, an enactment of a deed that is important and complete, and of a certain magnitude, by means of language enriched with ornaments, each used separately in the different parts of the play: it is enacted, not merely recited, and through pity and fear it effects relief (catharsis) to such and similar emotions.” Aristotle, Poetics, VI 1449b 2-3

enactment deed that is important complete of a certain magnitude language enriched with ornaments recited through pity and fear it effects relief (catharsis) to such and similar emotions

Elements of a Tragedy Five acts Three unities: action: a play should have one main action that it follows, with no or few subplots. place: the action in a play should take place in only one setting. time: the action in a play should take place over no more than 24 hours. Main characters of noble rank Several of the main characters along with the tragic hero die by the end, and order is finally restored. No scenes of horror onstage

Tragic hero The protagonist of a tragedy. The audience feels pity or sympathy towards him. Shows hubris—pride or arrogance, the presumption that one’s mind alone can distinguish good and evil. Has a tragic flaw—error in judgment. Experiences a reversal of fortune. Experiences a recognition of the error.

Examples Oedipus in Sophocles' Oedipus the King (429 BC). Brutus in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (1599). Hamlet in Shakespeare's Hamlet (1601). Lear in Shakespeare's King Lear (c. 1603-1606). Macbeth in Shakespeare's Macbeth (c. 1603-1607). Othello in Shakespeare's Othello (1604). Batman/Bruce Wayne from the DC Universe (1939). Spider-Man/Peter Parker from the Marvel Universe (1962). Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in George Lucas' Star Wars (1977-2005). William Wallace in Mel Gibson's Braveheart (1995). Walt Kowalski in Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino (2008). Harvey Dent in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008). Maximus in Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000 film)

Important questions to consider What makes a good leader? Who is the tragic hero of the play, Julius Caesar or Brutus? “This play is distinctive because it has no villains” (Wills 118).

A laughing stock (The Merry Wives of Windsor) A sorry sight (Macbeth) As dead as a doornail (Henry VI) Eaten out of house and home (Henry V, Part 2) Fair play (The Tempest) I will wear my heart upon my sleeve (Othello) In a pickle (The Tempest) In stitches (Twelfth Night) In the twinkling of an eye (The Merchant Of Venice) Mum's the word (Henry VI, Part 2) Neither here nor there (Othello) Send him packing (Henry IV) Set your teeth on edge (Henry IV) There's method in my madness (Hamlet) Too much of a good thing (As You Like It) Vanish into thin air (Othello A dish fit for the gods (Julius Caesar) It was Greek to me (Julius Caesar) Itching palm (Julius Caesar) Lean and hungry look (Julius Caesar) Lie low (Much Ado about Nothing) Live long day (Julius Caesar)

Shakespeare’s Language Iamb: an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do not like them in a box. I do not like them with a fox. I will not eat them here or there. I will not eat them anywhere.

Blank verse: lines of iambic pentameter that do not rhyme Iambic pentameter: a line of verse with five “feet”: five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables in a row. Blank verse: lines of iambic pentameter that do not rhyme He was my friend, faithful and just to me. But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man.

Antiquated word forms When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.

Reversed word order I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?

Figurative language I could be well moved if I were as you. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me. But I am constant as the Northern Star, Of whose true fixed and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks; They are all fire, and every one doth shine; But there’s but one in all doth hold his place.

Acts I-II Iambic pentameter: a line of verse with five “feet”: five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables in a row. Soliloquy: a long speech by a character alone onstage who reveals his thoughts and emotions to the audience. (Act 2 Scene 1 p. 18-19, Brutus) Aside: dialogue intended for the audience or specific characters that is not heard by the other characters onstage. Verbal irony: what is said is the opposite of what is meant. (Act I Scene 2 p. 7, Cassius)

Act III Dramatic irony: The audience's or reader's knowledge of events or individuals surpasses that of the characters. (Act 3 Scene 1 p. 37, Julius Caesar) Monologue: a speech by one character given to other characters and/or the audience (Act 3 Scene 2 p. 46-51 Mark Antony)

Acts IV-V Internal conflict (self vs. self): a struggle within a character between two opposing thoughts or possible courses of action External conflict: a struggle between a character and an outside force Between characters (self vs. others) Between groups (self vs. society) Between a character and nature or the supernatural (self vs. nature)

Tragedy: Tragedy arouses fear and pity in the audience and also may convey a sense of the nobility of the human spirit, even in the midst of suffering. Tragic hero: The tragic hero is involved in a struggle that ends in disaster. This tragic hero is always a person of high rank who inevitably comes to ruin. Tragic flaw: an error in judgment made by the tragic hero that ultimately leads to his downfall Character foil: a character who contrasts with the hero in order to highlight qualities of the hero