William Shakespeare Man of Mystery and Controversy

The Dramatic Types Comedy Comedy Nobody dies Nobody dies History History Historic British Kings Historic British Kings Tragedy Tragedy Death is certain Death is certain Romance Romance Possible Death Possible Death Exotic locale Exotic locale

Name the Type

The Verse Iambic Pentameter – The Meter, five iambic feet Iambic Pentameter – The Meter, five iambic feet Blank Verse – Unrhymed Iambic Pentameter Blank Verse – Unrhymed Iambic Pentameter Meter – The beat or pulse Meter – The beat or pulse Feet – smallest unit within the meter; a beat Feet – smallest unit within the meter; a beat Iambic Foot – Unstressed syllable followed by a stressed. Iambic Foot – Unstressed syllable followed by a stressed. Examples: Examples: “Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready.” She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed.”

Reading Tips Know the setting Know the setting Take notes – determine and question meaning. Take notes – determine and question meaning. Read through line breaks. Stop at punctuation. Read through line breaks. Stop at punctuation. Read aloud. Read aloud. Read footnotes. Read footnotes. Don’t let fancy words and old dialogue push you around. Battle it out! Don’t let fancy words and old dialogue push you around. Battle it out!

The Man 1564 – – 1616 Stratford Upon Avon Stratford Upon Avon Middle Class background Middle Class background Married Anne Hathaway Married Anne Hathaway Twins: Judith,Hamnet Twins: Judith,Hamnet 1585 – 1592: The Dark Years 1585 – 1592: The Dark Years 1590’s – Emerged in London 1590’s – Emerged in London Prolific: 38 plays in 25 years: Sophocles, Homer Prolific: 38 plays in 25 years: Sophocles, Homer

The Theater 1576 – The Theater built by Richard Burbage 1576 – The Theater built by Richard Burbage 1598 – The Globe Theater constructed 1598 – The Globe Theater constructed The Scene The Scene Rowdy, crowded, Noisy Rowdy, crowded, Noisy Religious opposition Religious opposition Building Design Building Design 3 Stories High 3 Stories High 3000 people capacity 3000 people capacity Pit up front Pit up front Open roof Open roof Heaven and Hell Heaven and Hell Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth Patron and fan Protestant Catholic opposition

Much Ado About Nothing 1598 – – 1600 Thematically linked to Twelfth Night and As You Like It Thematically linked to Twelfth Night and As You Like It The Mask plays an integral role. The Mask plays an integral role. “Nothing” = “Noting” “Nothing” = “Noting” Misunderstandings Misunderstandings

Important Works Titus Andronicus – 1589 Titus Andronicus – 1589 First Play First Play Classical References Classical References Violence and Brutality Violence and Brutality Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Love theme Love theme Less violence Less violence Greater complexity Greater complexity The Romances 1608 – 1611; late in career 1608 – 1611; late in career Cymbeline, A Winter’s Tale Cymbeline, A Winter’s Tale The Tempest The Tempest Final Play Great Mysticism Farewell to the stage

Influences Greek Mythology Greek Mythology Mystery Plays Mystery Plays Religion Religion Closeness to the audience Closeness to the audience Morality Plays Morality Plays Allegory – “Every Man” Allegory – “Every Man” Thomas Kyd Thomas Kyd The Spanish Tragedy The Spanish Tragedy Christopher Marlowe Christopher Marlowe Dr. Faustus Dr. Faustus