William Shakespeare Widely regarded as the greatest writer in English Literature

Shakespeare Stratford-on-Avon, England wrote 37 plays about 154 sonnets started out as an actor

Stage Celebrity Actor for Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London theater co.) Also > principal playwright for them 1599> Lord Ch. Co. built Globe Theater where most of Shakespear’s Play’s were performed

Shakespeare wrote: Comedies Histories Tragedies

Plays Often contain subplots for comedic relief Even the characters from the lower class are given have powerful roles and captures the audience’s attention. Example: Maria The settings of his plays were for Shakespeare not realistic interpretations, but imaginative displacements.

Sonnets Themes include – alluring “dark lady,” young men, love triangles, Known for startling shifts – example: “When my love swears that she is made of truth, / I do believe her, though I know she lies”

The Theater Plays produced for the general public Roofless>open air No artificial lighting Courtyard surrounded by 3 levels of galleries

Spectators Wealthy got benches “Groundlings” poorer people stood and watched from the courtyard (“pit”) All but wealthy were uneducated/illiterate Much more interaction than today

Staging Areas Stage>platform that extended into the pit Dressing & storage rooms in galleries behind & above stage second-level gallery> upper stage> famous balcony scene in R & J Trap door>ghosts “Heavens”> angelic beings

Differences No scenery Settings > references in dialogue Elaborate costumes Plenty of props Fast-paced, colorful>2 hours!

Actors Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Elizabethan Words An,and: If Anon: Soon Aye: Yes But:Except for E’en:Even E’er: Ever

Elizabethan Words Haply:Perhaps Happy:Fortunate Hence:Away, from her Hie:Hurry Marry:Indeed

ElizabethanWords Whence:Where Wilt:Will, will you Withal:In addition to Would:Wish

Prose Ordinary writing that is not poetry, drama, or song –Only characters in the lower social classes speak this way in Shakespeare’s plays

Exposition The plot usually begins with this: –introduces>>>> setting characters basic situation

Inciting Moment Often called “initial incident” –the first bit of action that occurs which begins the plot –Example: Romeo and Juliet “lock eyes” at the party

Conflict The struggle that develops –man vs. man –man vs. himself –man vs. society –man vs. nature

Crisis The point where the protagonist’s situation will either get better or worse –protagonist>good guy –antagonist>bad guy

Climax The turning point of the story. everything begins to unravel from here –Thus begins the falling action

Resolution The end of the central conflict

Denouement The final explanation or outcome of the plot –If this is included in literature, it will occur after the resolution.

Tragedy (Shakespearean) Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster/great misfortune –In many tragedies, downfall results from> Fate Character flaw/Fatal flaw Combination of the two

Dramatic Foil A character whose purpose is to show off another character

Round characters Characters who have many personality traits, like real people.

Flat Characters One-dimensional, embodying only a single trait –Shakespeare often uses them to provide comic relief even in a tragedy

Static Characters Characters within a story who remain the same. They do not change. They do not change their minds, opinions or character.

Dynamic Character Characters that change somehow during the course of the plot. They generally change for the better.

Monologue One person speaking on stage > may be other character on stage too

Soliloquy Long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage.

Pun Shakespeare loved to use them!!! –Humorous use of a word with two meanings > sometimes missed by the reader because of Elizabethan language and sexual innuendo

Direct Address Words that tell the reader who is being addressed: “A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.” “Ah, my mistresses, which of you all/ Will now deny to dance?”

Dramatic Irony A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true

Verbal Irony Words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant

Situational Irony An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience