Widely regarded as the greatest writer in English Literature William Shakespeare Widely regarded as the greatest writer in English Literature Courtesy of http://literature.pppst.com/STU/shakespeare.html

Shakespeare 1563-1616 Stratford-on-Avon, England wrote 37 plays about 154 sonnets started out as an actor

Stage Celebrity Actor for Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London theater co.) Also, a principal playwright for them 1599> Lord Ch. Co. built Globe Theater where most of Sh. Play’s were performed

Shakespeare wrote: Comedies Histories Tragedies

The Theater Plays produced for the general public Roofless = open air No artificial lighting Courtyard surrounded by 3 levels of galleries

Spectators Wealthy got benches “Groundlings” - poorer people stood and watched from the courtyard (“pit”) All but wealthy were uneducated/illiterate Much more interaction than today

Staging Areas Stage - platform that extended into the pit Dressing & storage rooms in galleries behind & above stage Trap door was for things like ghosts

Differences No scenery Settings were referenced in dialogue Elaborate costumes Plenty of props Fast-paced, colorful>2 hours!

Actors Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Elizabethan (QE1) Words An,and: If Anon: Soon Aye: Yes But: Except for E’en: Even E’er: Ever Whence: Where Wilt: Will (you) Haply: Perhaps Happy: Fortunate Hence: Away Hie: Hurry Marry: Indeed Withal: In addition to Would: Wish

Prose Ordinary writing that is not poetry, drama, or song Only characters in the lower social classes speak this way in Shakespeare’s plays Why do you suppose that is?

Inciting Moment Often called “initial incident” the first bit of action that occurs which begins the plot Witches casting a spell in Act 1 Scene i

Denouement The final explanation or outcome of the plot If this is included in literature, it will occur after the resolution.

Tragedy (Shakespearean) Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster/great misfortune In many tragedies, downfall results from> Fate Character flaw/Fatal flaw Combination of the two

Dramatic Foil A character whose purpose is to show off another character The Macduffs to the Macbeths

Monologue One person speaking on stage > may be other character on stage too

Soliloquy Long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage.

Aside Words spoken, usually in an undertone not intended to be heard by all characters

Pun Shakespeare loved to use them Humorous use of a word with two meanings > sometimes missed by the reader because of Elizabethan language and sexual innuendo

Direct Address Words that tell the reader who is being addressed: “A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.” “Ah, my mistresses, which of you all/ Will now deny to dance?”

Dramatic Irony A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true

Verbal Irony Words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant

Situational Irony An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience

Comic Relief Use of comedy within literature that is NOT comedy to provide “relief” from seriousness or sadness. Wait for the scene with the Porter…you will understand