Review: Shakespeare’s Background Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to a middle-class family Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 Became an actor & playwright in 1594 for Lord Chamberlain’s Men Became partner in The Globe Theater in 1599 Died in 1616

Theatre in Shakespeare’s Time REPERTORY SYSTEM Theatre performed by a company of actors that presents and performs a number of different plays or other works during a season, usually alternating works

The Globe Theatre London playhouse built in 1598 Staged most of Shakespeare’s plays Burned down in 1613; rebuilt 1614 Destroyed in 1644 by the Puritans

New Globe Theatre Built in 1997; modeled after original

Structure of the Globe Octagonal building Thatched roof 84 feet in diameter

Diagram of the Globe Stage The yard Flag announcing performance Lords’ Rooms Middle Gallery Area behind: tiring house

Elizabethan vs. Modern Theatre No curtain; nothing separates actors from audience—very intimate experience Curtain acts as psychological barrier between audience and actors No lighting on stage; daylight is only source of light Lighting only on stage—audience in dark to further separate the two

Elizabethan vs. Modern Theatre 2-3 acts Minimal scenery & few props Scenery & props cue viewers Quiet, reserved audience All male actors Male & female actors 5 acts Loud, boisterous audience

Most likely written by Shakespeare in 1600 Play derived from the legendary story of Hamlet (Amleth) recounted in the Danish History from the 12th century, a Latin text by Saxo the Grammarian Background to Hamlet

This version was later adapted into French by Francois de Belleforest in 1570 Shakespeare most likely knew this version or a later version (presumably by British author Thomas Kyd)

A play of questions With so many people masking their true identities, how do we know what is true and what is false? What is real, and what is imagined? “There is matter in these sighs, these profound heaves: you must translate…” --Claudius, Act 4, sc. 1

Hamlet: The Role of a Lifetime John Barrymore Edwin Booth Richard Burbage

Hamlet: Lawrence Olivier

Hamlet, 1948 Directed by Lawrence Olivier

Hamlet: Mel Gibson

Hamlet, 1990 Directed by Franco Zeffirelli

Hamlet: Kenneth Branagh

Hamlet, 1996 Directed by Kenneth Branagh

Hamlet: Hawke

Hamlet, 2000 Directed by Michael Almereyda

The Many Editions of Hamlet

The power of self-reflection The question of revenge The meaning of loyalty and duty The importance of personal relationships The expectations of gender The link between thought and action As you read, consider the following concepts…

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