William Shakespeare An introduction to William Shakespeare

Why Shakespeare? “If you cannot understand my argument, and declare ‘It’s Greek to me,’ you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger, if your wish is father to the thought, if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool’s paradise—why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and the short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then—to give the devil his due—if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head), you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then—by Jove! O Lord! Tut, tut! for goodness’ sake! what the dickens! but me no buts—it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare.” English journalist Bernard Levin, reprinted in The Story of English, pages 99-100.

Born in April, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon

Nobody knows his exact birthday… The closest we can come is his date of Baptism, on April 26th, 1564 By tradition and guesswork, it is believed that Shakespeare was born three days back on April 23, 1564, which is generally celebrated as his birthday

Where is Stratford-upon-Avon?

Stratford-upon-Avon and its neighbors

Parents: John and Mary Shakespeare

Attended King’s New [Grammar] School He attended grammar school at King’s New School where he studied mathematics, natural sciences, Latin language and rhetoric, logic, Christian ethics, and classical literature.

Love and Marriage 1582 – At age 18, he married 26 year old Anne Hathaway First daughter – Susanna 1585- Hamnet & Judith Hamnet died at age 11 Shakespeare was already a successful playwright by this time He moved to London, leaving his family in Stratford

He died on April 23, 1616 (age 52)

He is buried inside Holy Trinity Church

This verse is carved over his grave…His bones lie undisturbed to this day. Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.

Elizabethan Era Shakespeare wrote during the Elizabethan Era in history (16th century). This era also fell within The Renaissance time period. Elizabeth I was Queen of England from 1558-1603. This period was the emergence of tremendous political power and cultural achievement. The greatest literature of this period was poetry and drama, which Shakespeare contributed to.

Shakespeare’s Theater Life 1594 – He was a charter member of the theatrical company the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later became the King’s Men) Shakespeare worked for this company for the rest of his writing life He was the ultimate professional writer, providing theater with highly demanded plays These plays are still produced all over the world today

Shakespeare’s Writing Shakespeare wrote 3 types of plays: 1. Tragedies-serious dramas with disastrous endings 2. Histories-involve events or people from history 3. Comedies-light and amusing, usually with a happy ending Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy! ***Shakespeare also wrote lots of poetry.***

History of the Globe Theater

History of the Globe Theater 1576 – James Burbage built the first permanent theater in England, called The Theater (until this time, touring companies had played wherever they could rent space—usually courtyard inns) 1599 – Burbage’s theater was torn down and its timbers were used by Shakespeare and his company to build the Globe Theater (the theater where Shakespeare wrote most of his plays).

Shakespeare called it the “Wooden O” “All the world’s a stage.” – W. Shakespeare

A modern recreation of the Globe

Make-up of the Globe Theater The Globe was a large round building, 3 stories high, with a large platform stage that projected from one end into a yard open to the sky. In the back wall of the stage was a curtained-off inner stage. Flanking the inner stage were 2 doors for entrances and exits Above the inner stage was a small balcony or upper stage which could be used to suggest Juliet’s balcony, the high walls of a castle, or the bridge of a ship Trapdoors were placed in the floor of the main stage for the entrance and exits of ghosts and for descents into hell

Plays Plays were performed in the afternoons Since the stage was open to the sky there was no need for stage illumination There were very few sets (scenery, furniture, et cetera) and the stage was “set” by the language (the minimal scenery allowed the playwrights to move their stories rapidly from place to place) Costumes were often elaborate, and the stage might be hung with colorful banners and trappings

Spectators Wealthy people got to sit on benches The poor (called “Groundlings”) had to watch and stand from the courtyard. There was much more audience participation than today

All female roles were played by boys

Female Roles Acting wasn’t considered entirely respectable by the English Puritans, so all women roles were played by boys whose voices hadn’t changed yet Not for many years did women appear onstage in the professional English theater Juliet would have been performed by a trained boy actor

One final thought on theater… The theater is much more than a medium of words. When we go to see a play, it is the movement of words rather than the movement of the scenery that delights us.

By: William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet By: William Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet Source Shakespeare’s primary source for the play is Arthur Brooke’s Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet (1562), which is a long, dense poem. Shakespeare’s plot remains true to the Brooke version in most details, with theatrical license taken in some instances.

Gender Differences in the 1200-1400s Romeo: A typical man in this time period would marry no sooner than age 21. Romeo would be allowed freedom to drink and carouse as he pleased. Romeo would control all his wife’s possessions, money, and property. Romeo would have been allowed to visit prostitutes, and/or have mistresses after he was married. Romeo could have been a politician, merchant, soldier, sea captain, artist, doctor, banker, scholar, or religious man. Juliet: A typical woman in this time period would likely be married at age 15. Juliet would be escorted and watched at social events. It was expected that Juliet’s family would provide a dowry (money and material items) to her groom. Juliet was expected to be chaste until her wedding night, and from then on to be completely faithful to her husband. The only option to marriage would have been the convent. Juliet was expected to marry and bear children, to run a household, and to entertain guests.

Gender Differences in the 1200-1400s (Cont.) Juliet would be advised to obey and honor her husband. Juliet would have very little say in decisions concerning her children. It would not be typical for a woman like Juliet to participate in city or political affairs. It was not acceptable for Juliet to handle weapons, participate in athletics, or do other things that involved physical exercise. It was acceptable, and almost recommended, for Romeo to beat his wife if she were not submissive. Romeo would have complete control over his children. It would have been advantageous for Romeo to hold public office. Romeo was expected to learn how to fence, fight, play athletic games, and do other physical activities.

Language Language is the most powerful aspect of Romeo and Juliet. The characters curse, vow oaths, banish each other and generally play with the language through overuse of action verbs. In addition, the play is filled with the use of oxymorons, puns, paradoxes, and double entendres.

Language Continued There is a rather strong shift in language used by both Romeo and Juliet once they fall in love. Romeo is hopelessly normal in his courtship before meeting Juliet, afterwards his language becomes infinitely richer and stronger. He is changed so much that Mercutio remarks, “Now art thou sociable.”

Story Background Setting-The play takes place in the town of Verona, Italy. The Montagues (Romeo) and Capulets (Juliet) are two rival families. They are involved in a family feud that goes back years before any of the members were born. Yet the feud still continues due to the fact that neither family is ready to forgive and forget the fact. Even the townspeople are involved because the families don’t keep the feud in the privacy of their own home but have been seen fighting in the public streets and displaying violence. Shakespeare is exploring the idea of… Which is stronger: Love or Hate?

The End “For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”