3 types of plays: comedies, tragedies, histories Shakespeare 3 types of plays: comedies, tragedies, histories

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

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

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.

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 storey, 3000 capacity Globe Theatre, co-owned by William Shakespeare has become almost as famous as the playwright himself” ( Absolute Shakespeare)

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.

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

Points of Shakespeare's Style: Use of metaphors– comparing something in terms of something else, i.e. "That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder". Use of soliloquies– usually longer speeches given by characters when alone on stage– e.g. a person talking to himself out loud. Use of asides– when a character says something to the audience, but the other characters on stage cannot hear it, e.g. like muttering to himself.

Points of Shakespeare’s Style: (continued) Use of 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. 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.

Group Practice Shakespearean Spenserian Petrarchan Romeo and Juliet prologue Creative Sonnet as a POD

Early Rome Rome was established in 753 B.C. For 200 years ruled by Tarquin kings who were tyrants The Tarquins were overthrown by Lucius Junius Brutus in 510 B.C. – an ancestor of Brutus in the play. A democratic republic was then established which lasted until the death of Julius Caesar. The Romans were very proud of their democratic system and were repulsed by the thought of being ruled by a king.

Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C. He gained power and wealth due to a series of successful campaigns in which he conquered what is now Britain, France, much of central and eastern Europe, and parts of North Africa. The quote, “veni, vidi, vici” is aptly credited to Julius Caesar.

What Did Caesar Do for Rome? He built roads. He developed irrigation systems. He financed public parks and buildings. He even made changes to the calendar. Indeed, he was well liked and very powerful.

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Character List/ History and Tragedy

Instructions: As each slide comes up, you will take notes on the text in BLUE. Please title this section “Julius Caesar Background Info.” You will be responsible for this information on upcoming quizzes and the final.

The Scene… Based on a true story, this play takes place in Ancient Rome, where Julius Caesar has just returned in triumph from war. The crowd hails him as their new leader, but there are some Romans who fear he will become too powerful of a ruler, more like an emperor, and they will lose the liberties they have enjoyed as citizens of a free state.

Julius Caesar: Introduction . Shakespeare creates a world full of political intrigue, magical occurrences, and military conquest.

A small group of men conspire to assassinate Caesar, believing they are acting to preserve the freedoms of the Roman Republic.

Julius Caesar: Introduction Caesar was fighting Pompey, another powerful Roman, and his sons. Pompey, as well as others in the Roman senate, was disturbed by Caesar’s growing ambition.

Julius Caesar: Introduction Many senators, however, resent Caesar for having so much power.

Julius Caesar: Introduction But the people don’t mind—in fact, they love him. Caesar is made dictator, or ruler—a position that was sometimes granted for a ten-year term—for the rest of his life.

They surround him in the Forum, and stab him to death. Death of Caesar They surround him in the Forum, and stab him to death.

Julius Caesar : Background Mood: Shakespeare uses Roman customs and superstition to create spooky conditions to mirror the dangerous plot being planned.

The play goes on to tell the story of what happens after the murder, as the conspirators quarrel among themselves, war erupts, and liberties, instead of being protected, appear to be lost.

What Got Caesar into Trouble? It appears he was much more interested in things other than military conquest. After a series of civil wars that lasted until 48 B.C., Caesar declared himself Rome’s dictator for life. Many people believed that Caesar wanted more than just power; he wanted a powerful title.

What Got Caesar into Trouble? (Continued) Many Romans assumed that Caesar was ready to declare himself King of Rome and eliminate the five hundred year old republic of which the Romans were so proud. Remember the Tarquins, the tyrant kings who ruled over Rome for 243 years? There was no way Romans were going to return to that style of government. Someone had to put a stop to this pursuit of absolute power, and so enter the conspirators. ...Beware the Ides of March!

Play Versus The History Therefore, there is much historically accurate information, but a story to entertain the audience must also unfold. Yes! There is much to learn from the works of William Shakespeare. As we study this play, remember Shakespeare wished not only to inform his audience about the history of Julius Caesar but also to entertain them.

Your Task… On the next slide, you will see the names of all the primary characters. Try and pick out the two primary leaders of the conspiracy, and the five other conspirators. Then…try to find the two female characters. You don’t need to write anything down…simply talk with a partner to choose characters.

Find: two lead conspirators, five additional conspirators, and two female characters… Artemidorus Brutus Soothsayer Casca Lepidus Julius Caesar Calpurnia Cassius Cinna Cicero Lucilius Portia Messala Cato Trebonius Decius Flavius Metellus Cimber Marullus Strato Octavius Titinius Cinna, a poet Volumnius Pindarus Clitus Lucius Mark Antony

Instructions: As the slides describing each character come up, continue taking notes on the information in BLUE in your notebook. Head this section “Characters.” Then, place the character names on the appropriate lines on your handout.

Julius Caesar He is the head of the Roman state. He is a great soldier, and has just returned from a series of wars during which he defeated the sons of the previous Roman ruler, Pompey. He is popular with the crowds that stand in the streets to greet his triumphal return, cheering and clapping. Calpurnia is Caesar’s wife.

Mark Antony He is a loyal friend and supporter of Caesar, who he believes will make a good ruler of Rome. He is appalled at the killing of the head of state, and although he shakes hands with the conspirators immediately after the murder, he vows to avenge Caesar’s death. He gives a funeral oration over Caesar’s dead body that stirs the crowd to anger and desire for revenge. He will be one of the three rulers of Rome, after Caesar’s death, and he gathers an army to fight the killers.

Brutus He is a respected Roman, a man of intelligence and honor, who is a personal friend of Caesar, yet wonders whether, as a ruler, he will overstep his powers and become a tyrant rather than a good head of state. He is finally convinced to join the conspirators as their leader. As they raise their daggers to commit the murder, Caesar recognizes his dear friend and cries, in Latin, “Et tu, Brute?” or “You too, Brutus?” Portia is Brutus’ wife.

Cassius Cassius is one of the leaders of the conspiracy. He is suspicious of Caesar from the beginning, gathers others into the band, and convinces Brutus to join with them in their plans for assassination. He and Brutus flee Rome after the killing, each gathers an army, and they try to conquer Mark Antony’s army.

Octavius and Lepidus are the other two who join with Mark Antony after Caesar’s death to rule Rome as a triumvirate.

Casca, Trebonious, Decius, Cinna and Metallus Cimber are the other members of the conspiracy, each of whom participates by stabbing Caesar.

Julius Caesar : Discussion Starters… Discussion starter topic 1: 1. How important is loyalty? Does your country or do your friends consider “loyalty” something to value? When can “loyalty” sometimes cause problems? What should people do when loyalty to their country and loyalty to their friend comes into conflict? Are there limits to what people should do in defense of the nation?

Julius Caesar: Discussion Starters Discussion starter topic 2: 2. What will a person do for the sake of political ideals? Assassinations of political figures are common in history. What political figures do you know of who have been assassinated? What effect did these assassinations have on the general public, a political party, or a cause at the time of the assassination?

By William Shakespeare The Taming of the Shrew By William Shakespeare

1. Shrew Small mouselike mammal with a long snout; related to moles. Known for its ugly temper  Also, a woman with a bad temper (unfortunately, a B______)

Farce (commedia de’ll arte) Uses impossible and/or exaggerated situations to achieve a comedic effect Modern examples might include Billy Madison or skits from The Chapelle Show

Comic methods used within the play: Situational Comedy: role exchanges; disguises Visual Comedy: facial expressions and antics Action Comedy Physical Appearance Comedy Verbal Humor Comedy: can often use puns (play on words)

Themes: the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work Marriage as an institution The effect of social roles on individual happiness Appearance versus reality

Setting (time and place) Padua, Italy (Kate and Bianca’s house) Verona Petruchio’s country house Time could be medieval, Elizabethan, or modern (see BBC’s newest version!) Kiss Me Kate is set in 1953 America

Setting: the time and place of a narrative Induction: The English countryside outside an alehouse and at the Lord’s home Scenes I - V: Padua, Italy – 1593 –1594. Time span is about one week to ten days

*The structure of the play is unique, because it the only work by Shakespeare that is a play within a play. The Induction serves as a framework for the play, however the characters in the Induction are abandoned after Act I Scene I.

Dramatic Conventions: techniques that give the audience information that could not be given from the action of the play Disguise: allows a character to be seen by the audience while remaining hidden from the other actors

Dramatic Conventions Aside Stage Directions Monologue Soliloquy

What’s the 1st Conflict? The dad refuses to “marry off” the younger daughter before the older one gets married several reasons: 1. he has to give a substantial dowry for each girl– this is expensive. 2. he has to live with Kate forever if Bianca gets married, and he likes Bianca better.

What’s the main Conflict? Petruchio must “tame” wild Kate. He begins taming her even before their wedding (she has no choice but to marry him). Girls had to do what their fathers told them to do, regardless of their own feelings.

Major Players- annotate on script Baptista Minola- rich gentleman of Padua; father of Katherine and Bianca Katherine Minola- the shrew Bianca Minola- younger daughter; acts innocent and sweet

Symbolism of Bianca’s name Meaning: “white”– inference: pure, good, blameless

Major Players Gremio- foolish old man; suitor to Bianca Hortensio- suitor to Bianca; disguises himself as a music teacher

Major Players Lucentio- gentleman from Pisa; falls in love w/ Bianca at first sight; disguises himself as a Latin teacher Tranio- Lucentio’s servant; disguises himself as Lucentio Biondello- Lucentio’s other servant Vincentio- Lucentio’s father from Pisa

Major Players Petruchio- gentleman from Verona; agrees to woo Katherine the shrew Grumio- Petruchio’s servant (often acts as the comic relief in the play)

ANIMALS,continued Subhuman status and romantic insults? Why do people who love each other insult each other? Roberts also notes that "a great deal of the humor of the first meeting between Kate and her suitor […] depends on the determination of each to reduce the other to subhuman status." “…You never bring me fresh meat any more, you big, lazy, hairy, animal…..!!!!”

Elizabethan Attitude Toward Women The Elizabethan era was named after Queen Elizabeth (1546-1603) Elizabethan Attitude Toward Women Wives are to be “obedient, humble, and modest” (like Bianca) They shouldn’t go tearing up the house (like Kate) and disobeying fathers, brothers, husbands. They certainly shouldn’t have minds of their own.

3 characteristics of a Shakespearean Comedy 1. Happy Ending 2. Love 3. Mistaken Identities The would-be lovers must overcome obstacles, before they have a harmonious union (often a wedding). The theme of love is prevalent in every Shakespeare comedy. In Shrew, Tranio becomes Lucentio and Lucentio becomes “Cambio”, Bianca’s teacher, in order to get close to her.