Renaissance Theater: Shakespeare and the Globe

William Shakespeare Regarded as greatest writer in English language Regarded as greatest writer in English language Born in Stratford-on-Avon Born in Stratford-on-Avon Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 Had three children Had three children Has no living descendents Has no living descendents Moved to London Moved to London Started as an actor, then became a writer Started as an actor, then became a writer

Shakespeare’s Plays Wrote 3 types of plays Wrote 3 types of plays Comedy Comedy Historical Historical Tragedy Tragedy

Renaissance Drama Often called “Elizabethan” Often called “Elizabethan” Named after Queen Elizabeth I Named after Queen Elizabeth I Strong financial supporter of Strong financial supporter of the theater and of Shakespeare’s plays Actors of the Age Actors of the Age Only male actors; no females allowed Only male actors; no females allowed actors were thought to be vulgar and inappropriate actors were thought to be vulgar and inappropriate

The Plays Engaging the audience Engaging the audience Extravagant costumes Intense fight scenes Sound effects Strong dialogue and choreographed gestures ***not very many props, not elaborate setting

The Globe Built in 1599 Built in 1599 Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here Held people Held people Made of wood Made of wood Burned down in 1613 Burned down in 1613 Rebuilt Torn down by Puritans in 1640s Reconstructed in 1988 Reconstructed in 1988

Theater Layout Three levels or galleries Three levels or galleries Rich at top Rich at top Poor, called “groundlings,” stood in the “pit” Poor, called “groundlings,” stood in the “pit” Stage jutted out into the courtyard Stage jutted out into the courtyard

Shakespearean Drama Terms Blank Verse Blank Verse unrhymed iambic pentameter unrhymed iambic pentameter Fatal Flaw Fatal Flaw Tragic Hero Tragic Hero Acts and Scenes Acts and Scenes Plebeian Plebeian townsperson townsperson

Julius Caesar Background Setting: Rome, 44 BC Setting: Rome, 44 BC Opens after Caesar’s victory over Pompey’s army Opens after Caesar’s victory over Pompey’s army Pompey was former military leader, widely loved by the people Pompey was former military leader, widely loved by the people Caesar is not yet crowned Caesar is not yet crowned Senate runs government of Rome Senate runs government of Rome

Important Characters The Conspirators The Conspirators Brutus Brutus Cassius Cassius Cinna Cinna Casca Casca Trebonius Trebonius Legarius Legarius Decius Decius Metellus Metellus

Characters, cont. The Triumverate Antony Octavius Lepidus The Women Portia (Brutus’ wife) Calphurnia (Caesar’s wife)