Elizabethan Drama

Shakespeare and Elizabethan Drama 1568-1610 = Queen Elizabeth I Shakespeare 1564 – born Stratford on Avon (England) Family had money – given an excellent education 1582 – married Ann Hathway – had twins 1584 – left Stratford (family stayed) went to London 1594 - Actor/director of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Theatre Co.) Financial partner in building The GLOBE THEATRE in England Projecting stage = theatre in the round http://www.athenalearning.com/programs/playing-shakespeare/interactive-globe-theatre http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3VGa6Fp3zI

Shakespeare Plot lines – interesting / complicated No scenery Set design was not included in his plays or theatre Lines of description to help with creation of the scene Elaborate costumes Never resembling who they were depicting (Julius Caesar in Elizabethan clothes) Boys played women's parts 1611 – Shakespeare retired = $ 1616 – died and buried – Trinity Church

Four Periods in Shakespeare’s Writing 1590 – 1594 – learning his craft  playwright 1594 – 1600 – History Plays (Henry’s, Richard’s, Julius Caesar) England needs one central King so that power will lead to good government – absolute authority 2 themes: Romantic comedies Romeo and Juliet 12th Night Women are cleverly portrayed, charming, can out wit supposed male superiors 1600-1609 – Tragedies Hamlet – “revenge” Othello – “jealousy” Macbeth – “political assassination” King Lear – “old age” 1609 – Problem Plays Tempest Winter’s Tale