William Shakespeare English 9

Renaissance What can you tell me about the Renaissance? What can you tell me about the Renaissance? The Renaissance was a time of rebirth. Europeans experienced a reawakening of interest in the classics--government, literature, art, and thought. It was a time of experimentation. It was a time of religious upheaval…and it was a time of war. The Renaissance was a time of rebirth. Europeans experienced a reawakening of interest in the classics--government, literature, art, and thought. It was a time of experimentation. It was a time of religious upheaval…and it was a time of war.

Shakespeare’s Life Baptized April 26, 1564 Baptized April 26, 1564 At 18, married Anne Hathaway At 18, married Anne Hathaway Had three children Had three children 1592 started pursuing a career in theater 1592 started pursuing a career in theater By 1593, he was a well-known actor and playwright By 1593, he was a well-known actor and playwright Wrote sonnets and plays…some are considered the best ever written Wrote sonnets and plays…some are considered the best ever written Some say he didn’t write it all Some say he didn’t write it all The Christopher Marlowe & Francis Bacon theories The Christopher Marlowe & Francis Bacon theories Died April 23 rd, 1616 Died April 23 rd, 1616

Globe Theater Opened in 1599 Opened in 1599 Burned down in 1613 from a cannon shot during a performance of Henry VIII. Burned down in 1613 from a cannon shot during a performance of Henry VIII.

Literary Terms Blank Verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter Blank Verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter Iambic Pentameter: five beats of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables; ten syllables per line. Iambic Pentameter: five beats of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables; ten syllables per line. 'So fair / and foul / a day / I have / not seen' 'So fair / and foul / a day / I have / not seen' 'The course / of true / love nev/er did / run smooth‘ 'The course / of true / love nev/er did / run smooth‘ Metaphor, simile, personification, foil, theme, symbolism… Metaphor, simile, personification, foil, theme, symbolism… Wow, these seem familiar! Wow, these seem familiar!

Structure of a Five-Act Play Act I: Introduction Act I: Introduction Act II: Rising Action Act II: Rising Action Act III:Turning Point Act III:Turning Point Act IV: Falling Action Act IV: Falling Action Act V:Resolution/Catastrophe Act V:Resolution/Catastrophe Presents the event that resolves, or ends, the central conflict Presents the event that resolves, or ends, the central conflict In a tragedy, this Act is the catastrophe because it marks the ultimate fall of the central character In a tragedy, this Act is the catastrophe because it marks the ultimate fall of the central character

Types of Shakespearean Plays Tragedies Tragedies Comedies Comedies Histories Histories Shakespeare did not put his plays in categories…Scholars did Shakespeare did not put his plays in categories…Scholars did

Tragedies The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, defined tragedy as “the noblest and most serious, dignified and important form of drama.” The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, defined tragedy as “the noblest and most serious, dignified and important form of drama.” Tells the story of the fall of a person in high status Tells the story of the fall of a person in high status Death is often the result at the end of the play Death is often the result at the end of the play

Comedies Idea evolved from early Greek comedies Idea evolved from early Greek comedies All types of humor used: appropriate and inappropriate All types of humor used: appropriate and inappropriate Shakespeare’s comedies: Shakespeare’s comedies: full of fun, irony, and plays on words full of fun, irony, and plays on words Lots of disguises, mistaken identities, and unusual (and sometimes hard to follow) plots Lots of disguises, mistaken identities, and unusual (and sometimes hard to follow) plots

Histories Included events/people from history (go figure, huh?) Included events/people from history (go figure, huh?) However…it was loosely based on those events and/or characters However…it was loosely based on those events and/or characters Were a mix of tragedy and comedy Were a mix of tragedy and comedy

Oh…wait Some folks say there were more types of plays: Some folks say there were more types of plays: Romance Romance Roman Roman …but others feel that they fit into the three main categories anyway …but others feel that they fit into the three main categories anyway

Romeo and Juliet Tragedy Tragedy What does that tell you? What does that tell you? What do you know about the play? What do you know about the play?