Shakespeare

Kinda of a Big Deal Most famous English writer in the world “he was not of an age, but for all time”- Jonson 157 million Google pages (only one with more is God) Only work quoted more often- The Bible Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets

Shakespeare was “born” April 23, 1564 Shakespeare died April 23, 1616 Full Circle Shakespeare was “born” April 23, 1564 Shakespeare died April 23, 1616

Family Father- John Shakespeare (fairly wealthy and respectable man) Mother- Mary Auden (from an affluent family) Good primary education no university education Married- Ann Hathaway (26) when he was 18 (she was 4 months pregnant) Children- Suzanna 2 years later twins Hamnet (male- died young) and Judith

Elizabethan Drama Plays were first created and attended because no one could read- that was how they were told Bible stories Purpose changed from education to entertainment Costumes were very ornate Many and varied props No elaborate stages/setting No women actors young boys played female roles Plays were normally all 2 hours long Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed at the Globe Theater Renaissance- rebirth- a time to reclaim knowledge and art

Globe Theater Seating demonstrated social class Floor- servants Box Seats- nobles Balcony- ruling class Plays were noisy events, unlike the quiet environment we have currently Servants watching on the floor would eat and boo and throw food

Tragedy A story about a character with high social standing that comes to ruin due to a tragic flaw.

Tragic Hero Main character of a tragedy that is destined for greatness, but comes to ruin based on a tragic flaw

Foil A set of characters that bring out each other’s differences A pair of opposites Example: Timon and Pumba

The tragic hero has a flaw that leads to ruin Tragic Flaw The tragic hero has a flaw that leads to ruin

Play Terminology

Soliloquy Because we cannot know what characters in a play are thinking, the characters will stand on stage and share their thoughts. Soliloquies are often performed with a character at the front of the stage with a spotlight.

A character breaks the “fourth wall” and addresses the audience. Aside A character breaks the “fourth wall” and addresses the audience.

Language that has changed in meaning or is not longer used. Archaic Language that has changed in meaning or is not longer used.

Allusion Referencing something from religion, history, mythology, pop culture, etc Example: “ I see Queen Mab hath been with thee.”

Metaphor Direct comparison between 2 unlike things Example: “My lips two blushing pilgrims stand.”

Parallel structure Wording items in a sentence with a similar structure Example: “It is neither hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor any other part.”

Juxtaposition Placing 2 opposite ideas, characters, locations near each other to contrast differences

Oxymoron Placing two words that mean opposites next to each other Purpose: to show confusion Example: “Serious Vanity, Feather of Lead” Certainly unsure, well-preserved ruins, partial silence

Hyperbole An extreme exaggeration Purpose: To show the importance/depth of something Example: “Banishment is death”

Personification To give human characteristics to nonhuman objects Example: “golden dawn with fingertips of rose”

Pun A play on words (often humorous) Example: “You shall find me a grave man”

Repetition A recurring word, phrase, or idea Purpose: the call attention, to deem important, to create cadence Example: “Do not swear by the moon, the inconstant moon”

Motif The repetition of a idea throughout a literary work Example: Light and Dark

Dramatic Irony When the reader knows what the characters do not Example: We know the real reason Romeo is upset.

Verbal Irony When a character says something to confer something other than the explicit meaning Example: You’re dog isn’t unfriendly, is he?

Situational Irony The outcome is unexpected Plot twist moment Example: Montag shows up to burn down his own house.

Apostrophe A speaker addresses a person not present or an object Example: Your enemy’s friend is your enemy.

a statement that contradicts itself, but still seems true Paradox a statement that contradicts itself, but still seems true