William Shakespeare

Biography and Context Stratford-Upon-Avon Stratford-Upon-Avon Anne Hathaway Anne Hathaway A Favorite of Elizabeth I ( ) and James I ( ) A Favorite of Elizabeth I ( ) and James I ( ) The King’s Men The King’s Men

Biography Cont’d Other Shakespeares: Francis Bacon, The Earl of Oxford, and Christopher Marlowe Other Shakespeares: Francis Bacon, The Earl of Oxford, and Christopher Marlowe 37 Plays, 154 Sonnets 37 Plays, 154 Sonnets

The Globe Theatre

The Globe

The Tempest First Performed in at the Court of King James First Performed in at the Court of King James Performed again in in celebration of the marriage of Elizabeth, James’daughter Performed again in in celebration of the marriage of Elizabeth, James’daughter Likely Shakespeare’s last play, but the only one other than Love’s Labours Lost that is entirely original Likely Shakespeare’s last play, but the only one other than Love’s Labours Lost that is entirely original

The Tempest The play draws on travel literature of its time—most notably the accounts of a tempest off the Bermudas that separated and nearly wrecked a fleet of colonial ships sailing from Plymouth to Virginia. The play draws on travel literature of its time—most notably the accounts of a tempest off the Bermudas that separated and nearly wrecked a fleet of colonial ships sailing from Plymouth to Virginia. The extraordinary flexibility of Shakespeare’s stage is given particular prominence in The Tempest. Stages of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period were for the most part bare and simple. There was little on-stage scenery, and the possibilities for artificial lighting were limited. The King’s Men in 1612 were performing both at the outdoor Globe Theatre and the indoor Blackfriars Theatre and their plays would have had to work in either venue. The extraordinary flexibility of Shakespeare’s stage is given particular prominence in The Tempest. Stages of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period were for the most part bare and simple. There was little on-stage scenery, and the possibilities for artificial lighting were limited. The King’s Men in 1612 were performing both at the outdoor Globe Theatre and the indoor Blackfriars Theatre and their plays would have had to work in either venue.

Themes 1) Power 2) Class 3) Magic 4) Justice 5) Water

Reading the Text -Gonzalo: “I have great comfort from this fellow: methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows” (I.i.25–27). -The Boatswain: “What cares these roarers,” he asks, referring to the booming thunder, “for the name of king?” (I.i.15–16).

Reading the Text Caliban: You taught me language, and my profit on’t; Is I know how to curse. The red plague rid you For learning me your language! (I.ii.366–368).

Bermuda

Bermuda