Introduction to Shakespeare English I Mrs. Graham Mar. 12, 2012
William Shakespeare Greatest writer in the English language Greatest writer in the English language Nickname: “The Bard” Nickname: “The Bard” From Stratford-on-Avon, England From Stratford-on-Avon, England Born April 23(ish), 1564 Born April 23(ish), 1564 Died April 23, 1616 Died April 23, 1616
His Work Actor, poet, playwright Actor, poet, playwright Wrote 154 sonnets Wrote 154 sonnets Wrote 37 plays Wrote 37 plays
Sonnets Form of poetry Form of poetry 14 lines 14 lines 3 quatrains (stanzas of 4 lines each) 3 quatrains (stanzas of 4 lines each) Ends with a couplet (pair of rhyming lines that emphasizes the theme) Ends with a couplet (pair of rhyming lines that emphasizes the theme) ABAB CDCD EFEF GG ABAB CDCD EFEF GG Iambic pentameter Iambic pentameter Pattern of unstressed, stressed Pattern of unstressed, stressed 5 stressed syllables per line 5 stressed syllables per line
Shakespeare wrote: Shakespeare wrote: Comedies - happy endings Comedies - happy endings Tragedies – disastrous endings Tragedies – disastrous endings Histories – involve events or persons from history Histories – involve events or persons from history Types of Plays
Lesser-known Facts Teen father: married pregnant 26 year- old Anne Hathaway when he was 18 Teen father: married pregnant 26 year- old Anne Hathaway when he was 18 Deadbeat dad: Left wife and children for London at age 22 Deadbeat dad: Left wife and children for London at age 22 Father of twins (Judith and Hamnet), and Susanna Father of twins (Judith and Hamnet), and Susanna
London Crowded Crowded Open sewers Open sewers Bubonic Plague Bubonic Plague Bathing considered dangerous Bathing considered dangerous Queen Elizabeth I (Renaissance Era) Queen Elizabeth I (Renaissance Era)
Clothes One set used all year long, rarely washed One set used all year long, rarely washed Underclothing slept in, infrequently changed Underclothing slept in, infrequently changed Clothes handed down from rich to poor Clothes handed down from rich to poor
Across the Thames River Across the Thames River Open ceiling Open ceiling No artificial lighting No artificial lighting Three levels Three levels The Globe Theatre
Actors Only men and boys Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles No kissing/hugging on stage No kissing/hugging on stage Women on stage would have been considered worse than prostitution Women on stage would have been considered worse than prostitution
Spectators Upper class—pay extra for cushions Upper class—pay extra for cushions Liked the POETRY Liked the POETRY Middle class—sit on benches Middle class—sit on benches Liked the PLOT Liked the PLOT Lower class (called “groundlings” or “penny stinkards”) had to stand Lower class (called “groundlings” or “penny stinkards”) had to stand Like the dirty JOKES Like the dirty JOKES Lots of audience involvement Lots of audience involvement
Romeo and Juliet Written around 1595 Written around 1595 Tragedy Tragedy Set in Verona, Italy Set in Verona, Italy Theme: Going to Extremes Theme: Going to Extremes Act I—Words vs. Actions Act I—Words vs. Actions Act II—Love vs. Lust Act II—Love vs. Lust Act III—Love vs. Hate Act III—Love vs. Hate Act IV—Old vs. Young Act IV—Old vs. Young Act V—Fate vs. Freewill Act V—Fate vs. Freewill
The Montagues Lord Montague – father of Romeo Lady Montague – mother of Romeo Romeo Montague – in love with Juliet Benvolio – cousin of Romeo Balthasar – servant to Romeo Abram – servant to Montague
The Capulets Lord Capulet – father of Juliet Lady Capulet – mother of Juliet Juliet Capulet – in love with Romeo Tybalt – cousin of Juliet Nurse – takes care of Juliet Peter – servant to Juliet’s Nurse
The Royal Family Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona Mercutio – kinsman of the Prince and best friend of Romeo Count Paris – a young nobleman who wants to marry Juliet ; kinsman of the Prince
The Priests Friar Laurence – a Franciscan priest and Romeo’s adult confidant Friar John – another Franciscan priest who is supposed to deliver a letter to Romeo
Things to think about… What would you do if your parents did not approve of someone you were dating? What would you do if your parents did not approve of someone you were dating? How important is the opinion of your family in decisions that you make? How important is the opinion of your family in decisions that you make? Does violence solve problems? Does violence solve problems?
Learning Targets I can cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (RL ) I can cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (RL ) I can analyze the development of a theme over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped by specific details. (RL ) I can analyze the development of a theme over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped by specific details. (RL ) I can analyze how complex characters advance the plot and develop the theme. (RL ) I can analyze how complex characters advance the plot and develop the theme. (RL )
Thinking Strategies Inferring—using facts plus schema to make an educated guess (or “reading between the lines”) Inferring—using facts plus schema to make an educated guess (or “reading between the lines”) Synthesizing—integrating your background knowledge with new information to form a new perspective, conclusion, or product Synthesizing—integrating your background knowledge with new information to form a new perspective, conclusion, or product
SOURCES Mr. Graham Mr. Graham rchcatalog=shakespeare&searchcontent= &searchsubject= rchcatalog=shakespeare&searchcontent= &searchsubject= rchcatalog=shakespeare&searchcontent= &searchsubject rchcatalog=shakespeare&searchcontent= &searchsubject Introduction to Shakespeare Introduction to Shakespeare Shakespeare Powerpoint Shakespeare Powerpoint Shakespeare’s Life and Time Shakespeare’s Life and Time