Ms. Forsyth and Mr. Bernstein Honors English 9 Bear Creek High School An Introduction to William Shakespeare and the Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet Ms. Forsyth and Mr. Bernstein Honors English 9 Bear Creek High School

This presentation will… inform you about the life and work of the mysterious William Shakespeare. provide you details about Elizabethan society and theater.

April 23, 1564: William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon to John (a prosperous merchant) and Mary Shakespeare. There is a baptismal registration for Shakespeare, but few other written records exist. He was the 3rd of 8 children.

His father’s social standing enabled him to attend the Stratford Grammar School for free where he studied Latin and Greek, British and World History. Much of Shakespeare’s younger years remain a mystery, but there are rumors about what jobs he may have worked. Lawyer Butcher Apprentice Schoolmaster Lawyer

1582: According to church records, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. At the time of their marriage, William was eighteen and Anne was twenty-six.

William and Anne have three children together (Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith). Shakespeare left his family in 1591 to pursue writing in London, however, would often visit his family. August 1596: young Hamnet died at the age of eleven. The cause of his death is unknown. Susanna Hamnet Judith

In 1592, Shakespeare began developing a reputation as an actor and playwright – the author of a play. As theatres were beginning to grow in popularity, it is probable that Shakespeare began earning a living writing plays (adapting old ones and working with others on new ones).

1594: William became involved with a company of actors named “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.” This group later (1603) changed their name to “The King’s Men”.

In 1598, Shakespeare, in collaboration with other actors, designed and built The Globe. This circular theatre was the first of its kind, breaking away from the traditional rectangular theatres.

1612: Shakespeare moved back to Stratford where he retired both rich and famous.

1616: William Shakespeare dies on his birthday.

At the time of his death, Shakespeare is said to have written around 37 plays and 154 sonnets. He is also known to have contributed over two thousand words to the English language. Sniffledorfen

Good frend for Jesus sake forbeare To digg the dust encloasedheare Bleste be ye man [that] spares thes stones And curst be he that moves my bones.

Which do you prefer?

Or…..

Shakespearean Theater “The Globe” Romeo, Romeo…Where for art thou Romeo?

Elizabethan Theatre Fun Facts The First Elizabethan Theater: “The Wooden O” Built in 1576, first permanent stage in London Built by James Burbage Shaped in form of a tavern 1599 theatre torn down, but Shakespeare’s company used it to build The Globe Theatre

Elizabethan Theatre Fun Facts The Globe Round/polygonal building with a roofless courtyard No artificial light Three stories high – upper levels were for the weathy The “groundlings” paid a penny a piece to stand on the floor in front of the stage (800 people) Large platform stage Back of platform was curtained off inner stage Two door entrances/exits on either side of curtain Small balcony/upper stage Elaborate costumes but no props Young boys played the parts of women; women weren’t allowed to be actors

Fire and Rediscovery Shakespeare’s Globe burned down, but its foundation was discovered in 1990. It gave us many clues to the Elizabethan experience such as hazelnut shells! A replica has since been rebuilt. You can visit it and see a play today.

Tips for Understanding Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is based on Arthur Brooke’s long narrative poem the Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet (1562). The poem has a highly moral tone: disobedience, as well as fate, leads to the deaths of two lovers. Elevated it by: Turning the Poem into a tragedy Portrayed the characters more sympathetically

Motifs in Romeo and Juliet Power of Love Violence from Passion The Individual vs. Society The Inevitability of Fate

MONTAGUE vs. CAPULET Romeo Juliet Lord Montague (his dad) Lady Montague (his mom) Mercutio (friend) Benvolio (cousin) Juliet Lord Capulet (her father) Lady Capulet (her mother) Tybalt (cousin) Nurse

A Pair of Star Crossed Lovers… “My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown , and known too late!” ~ Juliet; Act I, Scene V

FIN

Intro to Shakespeare Mini Quiz What was one way that Shakespeare’s early life influenced his career? What was the name of the company (the rename) of actors Shakespeare joined? What was the name of the theater Shakespeare helped to design? How did Shakespeare modify the source text of Romeo and Juliet?