SHAKESPEARE!!!! Can you feel the excitement?!

Some Quotes… “A Fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.” “A Fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.” “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” “Beauty is all very well at first sight; but whoever looks at it when it has been in the house three days?” “Beauty is all very well at first sight; but whoever looks at it when it has been in the house three days?” “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” “How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.” “How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.” “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” “Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.” “Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.”

Some of the “good stuff…” “Thou whoreson, senseless villain!” “Thou whoreson, senseless villain!” “Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all!” “Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all!” “More of your conversation would infect my brain.” “More of your conversation would infect my brain.” “I’ll pray a thousand prayers for your death.” “I’ll pray a thousand prayers for your death.” “Your horrid image does unfix my hair.” “Your horrid image does unfix my hair.” “You peasant swain! You whoreson malt- horse drudge!” “You peasant swain! You whoreson malt- horse drudge!”

Homework: Do some research, and identify your favorite Shakespearean insult for Friday…

Our Intro. to Shakespeare… I. Historical Background I. Historical Background II. Features of Shakespeare’s Theatre, the Globe II. Features of Shakespeare’s Theatre, the Globe III. The Plays Themselves III. The Plays Themselves IV. Shakespeare’s Life & Career IV. Shakespeare’s Life & Career V. The Others… V. The Others…

I.Historical Background A. English Reformation 1534 Henry VIII breaks from Rome Henry VIII breaks from Rome Shift in power – Secular & Religious Shift in power – Secular & Religious Daily Life Daily Life

I.Historical Background B. Rise of Humanism Humanism: A displacement of the “other worldly” values of the middle ages in favor of a belief in the potential of humanity in this world. Humanism: A displacement of the “other worldly” values of the middle ages in favor of a belief in the potential of humanity in this world.

I.Historical Background B. Rise of Humanism Renaissance or a “rebirth” of art and literature of the past… Renaissance or a “rebirth” of art and literature of the past…

I.Historical Background C. Elizabeth I Accedes to the Throne (1558) Elizabeth comes to the throne after the death of her half-sister, Mary I, and reigns until Elizabeth comes to the throne after the death of her half-sister, Mary I, and reigns until England rises to the height of political power. England rises to the height of political power. 1588: England defeats 1588: England defeats The Spanish The same time Shakespeare Begins his career

I.Historical Background C. Elizabeth accedes to the throne England’s Political Scene: England’s Political Scene: Catholics (Recusants) Catholics (Recusants) Protestants Protestants Puritans Puritans

I.Historical Background D. Construction of the Theatre 1576: James Burbage built 1 st Permanent theatrical building… Guess who the landlord is… 1576: James Burbage built 1 st Permanent theatrical building… Guess who the landlord is… The Suburbs The Suburbs The Acting Profession The Acting Profession 1599: The Globe Theatre built 1599: The Globe Theatre built

I.Historical Background… E. Death of Elizabeth 1603 James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England Parliament is against the coronation… Why? James’ wife was a Catholic Parliament is against the coronation… Why? James’ wife was a Catholic 1620: Plymouth Rock 1620: Plymouth Rock 1642: Puritans take over the country of England… Charles I beheaded… BUT THE MOST TERRIBLE PART… All theaters are closed! 1642: Puritans take over the country of England… Charles I beheaded… BUT THE MOST TERRIBLE PART… All theaters are closed! : Interregnum Period : Interregnum Period 1660: THE RESTORATION: Britain brings back the monarchy… Charles II crowned 1660: THE RESTORATION: Britain brings back the monarchy… Charles II crowned Charles II allows women on stage & performances now take place in doors… Charles II allows women on stage & performances now take place in doors…

II.Features of Shakespeare’s Theatre, The Globe A. Seating Clues in play as to the design of the theatre… Clues in play as to the design of the theatre… Can house up to 3,800 spectators… Can house up to 3,800 spectators… Roughly 1,500 people in higher levels Roughly 1,500 people in higher levels Remaining 2,300 squeezed groundlings Remaining 2,300 squeezed groundlings No spectator is more than 50 ft. away from the actors No spectator is more than 50 ft. away from the actors

II.Features of Shakespeare’s Theatre, The Globe B. The Stage, Props, Costumes, and Scenery Non-Representational: They did not try to visually recreate what the audience was to see. So how was this done? Non-Representational: They did not try to visually recreate what the audience was to see. So how was this done? EXAMPLES… EXAMPLES… Proscenium: Today versus then… 4 th Wall? Proscenium: Today versus then… 4 th Wall? Some furniture used Some furniture used Costumes… Contemporary of course! Costumes… Contemporary of course!

Let’s go to the Globe! globe.org/virtualtour/stage/ globe.org/virtualtour/stage/ globe.org/virtualtour/stage/ globe.org/virtualtour/stage/

The Plays…

III. The Plays Themselves 37 Total… Divided into Four Groups 37 Total… Divided into Four Groups Comedies Comedies Tragedies Tragedies Histories Histories Deal with specific period in English history Deal with specific period in English history Romances Romances Fairy tale like quality with a mix of comedy and tragic moments. GENERALLY a happy ending follows Fairy tale like quality with a mix of comedy and tragic moments. GENERALLY a happy ending follows Shakespeare never took part in publishing his own plays Shakespeare never took part in publishing his own plays No plays written by Shakespeare’s hand has survived… No plays written by Shakespeare’s hand has survived…

IV. Shakespeare’s Life & Career Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon “Not of an age but for all time.” –Ben Jonson “Not of an age but for all time.” –Ben Jonson Authorship Authorship Married to Ann Hathaway, but some rumors Married to Ann Hathaway, but some rumors Epitaph: “GOOD FREND FOR JESUS SAKE FORBEARE TO DIGG THE DUST ENCLOASED HEARE. BLEST BE YE MAN YT SPARES THES STONES AND CURST BE HE THAT MOVES MY BONES” Epitaph: “GOOD FREND FOR JESUS SAKE FORBEARE TO DIGG THE DUST ENCLOASED HEARE. BLEST BE YE MAN YT SPARES THES STONES AND CURST BE HE THAT MOVES MY BONES”

The others…

Ben Jonson Master of English comedy Master of English comedy Volpone, The Alchemist, Every Man in his Humour Volpone, The Alchemist, Every Man in his Humour The MASQUE The MASQUE

Christopher Marlowe Untimely Death Untimely Death Introduced the first important use of blank (unrhymed) verse Introduced the first important use of blank (unrhymed) verse Tamburlaine the Great, The Jew of Malta, and Edward II Tamburlaine the Great, The Jew of Malta, and Edward II Doctor Faustus Doctor Faustus His Life His Life