Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Era

“Elizabethan Era”- named after Queen Elizabeth I who reigned from 1558-1603 (44 years). Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Golden Age in England’s history- a time of peace and prosperity due to the English Renaissance. Large advances in the fields of technology, science, and exploration. England flourished under a successful government (established by previous Kings Henry VII and Henry VIII)

Queen Elizabeth

It was believed that the Queen was God’s representative on Earth. At this time, the European continent was somewhat in disarray- except for England which was just starting to flourish and prosper. Spain was England’s major rival

Daily Life in the Elizabethan Era 90% of the English population was poor, rural, and working class. There was a specific social order and ranking. Parliament regulated the clothes that people could wear in order to keep social order: Rich wore jewelry, lace, and fine cloth Poor wore simple and unadorned fabrics

Also… All boys were required to go to grammar school, however, girls were prohibited from being educated (except for the wealthy, who were educated privately.) Life expectancy was 42 years of age. There was a great respect between the society’s children and elders. Homes were simple and basic. Most people were basic laborers (blacksmiths, carpenters, candle makers) Only the rich could afford to eat meat and sweets. Sanitation was almost non-existent

Elizabethan Clothes

William Shakespeare

His Life April 26, 1564- April 23, 1616 Lived in Stratford-upon- Avon Married Anne Hathaway Had three children: Susana, Hamnet and Judith (twins) Hamnet died at age 11 (unknown cause) Because there are little to no records of Shakespeare between the years 1585-1592 they are known as the “Lost Years” and no one knows for sure what he was doing during this time in his life.

His Career Considered a poet and playwright Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and other pieces of literature. Most of which were written in Iambic Pentameter Became successful by working in London with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (King’s Men) as an actor, writer, and part owner of the theater. Also known as “The bard”

Shakespearean Drama

Structure 5 Act plays: Act 1: Exposition Act 2: Rising Action Plot Diagram Act 3: Climax Act 4: Falling Action Act 5: Resolution

Structure Stage Directions: the writer’s instructions about how the play, or a scene, should be performed. Usually in parenthesis or brackets Can include background information, costume details, actor movements, props, lighting, sets, etc. ACT Scene Line

Speeches Monologue Soliloquy A long speech given by one character who is on the stage alone, and which reveals private thoughts of the character which the audience alone is allowed to overhear Long uninterrupted speech spoken by 1 character to another character on the stage

Speeches… Aside: A brief remark a character makes, speaking directly to the audience (not to the other characters).

Other important elements… Women were not allowed to be actors. Women characters were performed by young men. Theatre was interactive and emotional (remember there were no TV’s or Radios or other forms of entertainment- most people couldn’t read!) No sets, just elaborate costumes- audience had to use their imagination!

Iambic Pentameter

What is Iambic Pentameter? The term “iambic pentameter” describes the rhythm that is being created with each line of poetry. An IAMBIC patterns describes how the words should be read aloud. 1 iambic pattern= 1 unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Ex. da DUM

Iambic Pentameter… “Pentameter” tells us how many “Iambic beats” there are in one line of poetry. Penta(5) +Meter(feet)= 5 feet of iambic beats Therefore, one line of poetry written in iambic pentameter has a total of five unstressed/stressed beats or 10 total syllables. da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM

For example: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The first line has exactly 10 beats that are easily broken down into 5 iambs. However, while the second line still uses the iambic pattern, there are not exactly 5 iambs because the word ANY had 2 syllables which do not easily break into 2.

You try: What light through yonder window breaks? READ THIS: What light through yonder window breaks? Does this have 5 iambic beats? Now READ THIS: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

SONNET 14 line poem Iambic pentameter Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG Ends in a rhyming couplet