William Shakespeare & A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Meet William Shakespeare Actor, director, writer and partner in a successful play company Actor, director, writer and partner in a successful play company Born in Stratford Upon Avon in 1564 (Died 1616) Born in Stratford Upon Avon in 1564 (Died 1616) Third of eight children Third of eight children 1582 married Anne Hathaway who was eight years older than Shakespeare 1582 married Anne Hathaway who was eight years older than Shakespeare Three children: Susanna, Judith & Hamnet (who died in childhood) Three children: Susanna, Judith & Hamnet (who died in childhood)

Meet William Shakespeare Although he was a commoner, Shakespeare became very famous and made a great deal of money Although he was a commoner, Shakespeare became very famous and made a great deal of money A literary genius whose plays at The Globe Theatre became very popular with people of all walks of life A literary genius whose plays at The Globe Theatre became very popular with people of all walks of life

Meet William Shakespeare Spent a lot of time away from his family but always sent money to them Spent a lot of time away from his family but always sent money to them Had to live in London Had to live in London There are many rumors surrounding his writing There are many rumors surrounding his writing Christopher Marlowe Christopher Marlowe Anne Hathaway Anne Hathaway Wrote parts of the King James Bible Wrote parts of the King James Bible

The Theatre Every troupe needed a royal patron Every troupe needed a royal patron Scenery is minimal Scenery is minimal No women No women “Groundlings” – cheap tickets “Groundlings” – cheap tickets Food and drink can be purchased throughout the performance Food and drink can be purchased throughout the performance

Types of Plays Shakespeare never published his own plays-only wrote scripts Shakespeare never published his own plays-only wrote scripts Comedy-main character learns a lesson and falls in love; the villain is usually caught and the hero marries (18) Comedy-main character learns a lesson and falls in love; the villain is usually caught and the hero marries (18) Tragedy-main character learns a lesson and dies; protagonist is usually of high rank and a character flaw causes their ruin (10) Tragedy-main character learns a lesson and dies; protagonist is usually of high rank and a character flaw causes their ruin (10)

History-depicts a story from England’s royal past; depicts what constitutes a good king, full of action (10) History-depicts a story from England’s royal past; depicts what constitutes a good king, full of action (10) Sonnets (154) Sonnets (154) Created 2,000 words which means that he has a great impact on contemporary society Created 2,000 words which means that he has a great impact on contemporary society

Fairies Forget Tinkerbell and cute winged creatures Forget Tinkerbell and cute winged creatures In Shakespeare's time, fairies were magical but often mean In Shakespeare's time, fairies were magical but often mean Usually deformed in some way Usually deformed in some way Delight in playing cruel tricks on humans (tunnels collapse, sour milk, turning humans into animals) Delight in playing cruel tricks on humans (tunnels collapse, sour milk, turning humans into animals)

Important in the World of Shakespeare Religion Religion Natural Order-do not mess with the boss Natural Order-do not mess with the boss Expected behavior based on social status Expected behavior based on social status Health determined by 4 main body fluids Health determined by 4 main body fluids Racial Prejudice Racial Prejudice

Vocabulary Anon- soon Anon- soon Brave- courageous or showy Brave- courageous or showy Conceit- conception, imagination or thought Conceit- conception, imagination or thought Cousin (coz)- a good friend Cousin (coz)- a good friend Cuckold- husband of an unfaithful wife-the butt of jokes Cuckold- husband of an unfaithful wife-the butt of jokes

Vocabulary Cur – dog (insult) Cur – dog (insult) Fain- gladly Fain- gladly Forsooth – in truth Forsooth – in truth Gaol- jail Gaol- jail Hap, Haply- perhaps Hap, Haply- perhaps Hence- away from here Hence- away from here Hither- here Hither- here

Vocabulary Mistress- a woman Mistress- a woman Sirah- term used to address a boy or man of low station Sirah- term used to address a boy or man of low station Tarry- wait Tarry- wait Thence- away from here Thence- away from here Wench- girl or young woman Wench- girl or young woman Whither- where to? Whither- where to?

Playing With Words Puns- have a double meaning Puns- have a double meaning Malapropisms- using a word incorrectly on purpose – to show stupidity Malapropisms- using a word incorrectly on purpose – to show stupidity Innuendo- sexual pun-Shakespeare’s favorite kind of joke Innuendo- sexual pun-Shakespeare’s favorite kind of joke

Stage Directions Exeunt – Plural of exit Exeunt – Plural of exit Flourish – fanfare of drums/trumpets Flourish – fanfare of drums/trumpets

Format Iambic pentameter – verses in which every other syllable is stressed and each line contains 5 stressed syllables Iambic pentameter – verses in which every other syllable is stressed and each line contains 5 stressed syllables Quatrain- four line stanza; usually alliteration and rhyme Quatrain- four line stanza; usually alliteration and rhyme Soliloquy- monologue that reveals a characters thoughts & feelings Soliloquy- monologue that reveals a characters thoughts & feelings

People in the Play Kings/Royalty Kings/Royalty Common Folk Common Folk Fools & Clowns Fools & Clowns Fairies, Witches, Ghosts Fairies, Witches, Ghosts Lovers & Warriors Lovers & Warriors

Drama 5 Act Structure 1-introduces the characters and sets up the story, characters, themes Rising Action 1-introduces the characters and sets up the story, characters, themes Rising Action 2-Complications & difficulties introduced, tells more about the characters (in a comedy, there is usually some confusion) Rising Action 2-Complications & difficulties introduced, tells more about the characters (in a comedy, there is usually some confusion) Rising Action 3-the pivotal act; confusion is at a maximum but you can see how it will be resolved Climax 3-the pivotal act; confusion is at a maximum but you can see how it will be resolved Climax

Drama 5 Act Structure 4-the action unfolds and the heroes plans collide with the villains, resolution Falling Action 4-the action unfolds and the heroes plans collide with the villains, resolution Falling Action 5-brings all the pieces together, lessons are learned and lovers get married Falling Action 5-brings all the pieces together, lessons are learned and lovers get married Falling Action

Why is Shakespeare Still Being Read? The struggles of Shakespeare’s characters are still relevant today The struggles of Shakespeare’s characters are still relevant today People still fall in and out of love People still fall in and out of love People still scheme for power People still scheme for power People still betray their friends People still betray their friends People still wonder what might have been People still wonder what might have been

William Shakespeare is the greatest writer in the history of the English language. So….Why does everyone talk so weird?!