Introduction to Shakespeare Advanced Language Arts Notes

Why do we read Shakespeare? Considered the greatest dramatist and finest poet Influence on English language Invented phrases/words Messages for today Themes we learn from Understanding of human nature Entertainment Every time you read, you learn more Influence on culture Romance, what is heroic, bravery, etc. What is in his plays molded ideas into our heads

The Elizabethan Era/The Renaissance 1400 – 1600 Caused by a re-interest in the arts and the development of new inventions New trade routes opening Beginning of modern science Moveable type invented

The Elizabethan Era/The Renaissance Large class differences Believed that you could not escape your birth Highest class is the Royalty Clergy Nobles/Merchants – lawyers, master craftsmen, traders Peasants

The Elizabethan Era/The Renaissance Society Male dominated; women expected to marry when reaching child-bearing age Infant/Child mortality rate high People readily believed in superstitions and magic

The Elizabethan Era/The Renaissance Queen Elizabeth I Her reign was considered the “Golden Age of England” Encouraged literature/poets/playwrights by having them perform for her in court Openly supported and admired Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Shakespeare was born April 23, 1564 (assumed by baptism record) Lived in Stratford-on-Avon Assumed to be very well educated. His father held local political offices which allowed young William to attend school.

William Shakespeare Married Anne Hathaway who was eight years older than he was. They had three children: Susana and twins – Hamnett and Judith First play written was Henry IV, Part I in 1589 Wrote 37 plays total

William Shakespeare Plays divided into comedies, tragedies, histories Shakespeare’s plays quickly became popular. The public loved language and praised his quick wit. Plays written in iambic pentameter and blank verse Died in 1616 at the age of 52

The Globe Theater Built in 1599 by Richard Burbage Became the main theater to see Shakespeare’s plays

The Globe Theater Shape was a circular octagon that could hold 2000 people Audience made up of both sections of Elizabethan society Ordinary citizens, travelers, some women watched on ground (groundlings) Noblemen, country squires, masked women with male escorts sat in raised balconies

The Globe Theater Had special effects with trap doors Music a large part of theater Women were not allowed on stage The Plague (Black Death) forced theater closures Theater seen as evil/heretical Rats and highly contagious virus was true cause of spread Burned down in 1613 during a performance of “Henry VIII”. Cannons from battle scene sparked the building. Had to be rebuilt.

Vocabulary Soliloquy – personal speech that reveals his thoughts Irony – opposite of actual meaning Farce – light comedy; satirical in nature Pun – play on words Blank verse – unrhymed verse; it has a basic metrical pattern Iambic pentameter – each unit, or foot, contains an iamb; an unaccented syllable followed by an accented syllable which is repeated five times to make a pentameter