An Introduction to the Playwright and his Play, Julius Caesar WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE An Introduction to the Playwright and his Play, Julius Caesar 1

Biographical Information Born: Stratford-Upon Avon, England April 23, 1564 Died on: April 23. 1616 Parents, John and Mary (Arden) Married Anne Hathaway, November, 1582 Three children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith Shakespeare’s Birthplace 2

The Bard Playwright, Poet, Actor Sometime in the 1580's William Shakespeare left his family to pursue a career as a playwright, poet, and actor in London. His success was immense. Shakespeare is known to have written 154 sonnets and 37 plays. In fact, so prolific was Shakespeare as a writer of sonnets, that a sonnet form has been named for him. The Shakespearean sonnet is 14 lines long with a rhyme scheme: abab, cdcd, efef,gg. 3

Shakespeare’s Theatre “The Globe Theatre, also known as the Shakespeare Globe Theatre, was not only one of most famous playhouses of all time, but the play house where Shakespeare performed many of his greatest plays. Built from oak, deal, and stolen playhouse frames, the 3 story, 3000 capacity Globe Theatre, co-owned by William Shakespeare has become almost as famous as the playwright himself.” ( Absolute Shakespeare) 4

The Stage In Shakespeare’s Time A show lasted about 2 ½ hours, usually in open air theatres during the afternoon. There were no acts, but frequent intermissions. There was no scenery, but elaborate props and costumes to give reality. Devices such as trap doors and scaffolds were used to make gods, witches, etc. disappear. 5

The Stage In Shakespeare’s Time (continued) There were no actresses. All parts were played by men or boys. There were no programs. In front of stage was a big open area where the "penny-public" stood to watch as they could not afford seats. 6

The Globe Theatre Flags were used to advertise the type of play currently showing : Black= tragedy White= comedy First performance in 1599- Julius Caesar by Lord Chamberlain’s Men Performances were held in the afternoon All actors were male-- young boys played the female roles Groundlings- commoners/general public paid 1 c to stand in the Pit in front of the stage on the ground Gentry- sat in the galleries on cushions for 2 c Rich nobles- watched from a chair set on the side of the stage for 3 c 7

Devices used in Shakespeare's Work 1. Metaphorical language– a comparison of unlike things Deepens meaning, and expresses feelings and emotions in a way that ordinary language often cannot Example: Cassius says that the shadow of the birds prey is a canopy, suggesting how dark and dense the shadow is. 8

2A. Soliloquies A type of Dramatic Speech Usually a longer speech given by characters when alone on stage– e.g. a person talking to himself out loud. Allows audience to see inner thoughts and feelings of characters Addressed to audience - not other charactesr 9

2B. Monologues A lengthy, uninterrupted speech addressed to other characters (rather than the audience) It may or may not reveal what the speaker really thinks or feels A long speech from one character to other characters 10

3. Asides Character says something to the audience, but other characters on stage cannot hear it Audience gains information, but other characters do not Character who says the aside is often speaking to him or herself 11

4. Sonnets A very rigid poetic style of writing. Fourteen lines consisting of three sets of four line quatrains and a two line rhyming couplet at the end. Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, e.g. 12

5. Puns Use of puns– humourous plays on words indicating different meanings. i.e. the Cobbler says, "A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe conscience, which is indeed a mender of bad soles.” A cobbler is a mender of shoes or a bungler. 13

Dramatic and Verbal Irony Dramatic Irony: a device whereby an audience’s understanding of a character;s words or actions is different from the characters understanding. The audience knows info the character does not, and thus gives the audience a superior understanding Verbal Irony: when one character intentionally says something with a meaning that another character is unaware of 14

Style of Writing: Blank Verse vs. Prose Blank Verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter (10 syllable lines with unstressed, then stressed syllables) Used in a wide range of situations because it comes close to the natural speaking rhythm of the English Conversations Passionate, lofty or momentous occasions May suggest a refinement of character Many famous speeches are written in blank verse Often a speech written in blank verse will end with a single rhyming couple called a “capping couplet” 15

Prose Prose: ordinary speech with no regular pattern of accentual rhythm Used: A. Whenever verse would seem bizzare B. Serious letters, speeches, proclamations C. Speeches of characters pretending to be mad v D. Cynical commentary E. When the rational is contrasted with the emotional (will see this with Brutas vs. Antony in Caesar) 16

TRAGIC HERO This play involves what is referred to as a “tragic hero.” At the conclusion of this play, we will debate who we think is the tragic hero of the play.... Caesar? Brutas? What is a “tragic hero?” -->A person with mostly good qualities, whose tragic character flaw leads to his/her desmise 17

Citing Plays To cite a play: (Act One, Scene Two, lines 57-58) (I.ii, 57-58) YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO THIS! 18

And Now. Background Information for “Julius Caesar” And Now.. Background Information for “Julius Caesar”... see next Powerpoint 19