Shakespeare 101

The Elizabethan Stage Basic Information Theater Basic Information Theater Physical Aspects of Globe Physical Aspects of Globe The Sets and Effects The Sets and Effects The Actors The Actors Audience Information Audience Information

Basic Information Plays were performed wherever they could find space, usually in court yards Plays were performed wherever they could find space, usually in court yards First permanent theater was bulit in 1576 outside of London by James Burbage, named “The Theater” First permanent theater was bulit in 1576 outside of London by James Burbage, named “The Theater” 1599 rent was raised on the land on which the “the Theater’ was built …because of increase Burbage’s son dismantled the theater and rowed it across the river 1599 rent was raised on the land on which the “the Theater’ was built …because of increase Burbage’s son dismantled the theater and rowed it across the river Later the reconstructed theater was named THE GLOBE Later the reconstructed theater was named THE GLOBE

Elizabethan Courtyard of Inn

Physical Aspects of the Globe described as “the Wooden O” described as “the Wooden O” open space - 65’ in diameter open space - 65’ in diameter surrounded by a circular building..30’ high with 3 tiers of seats surrounded by a circular building..30’ high with 3 tiers of seats stage 5’ high, 40’X30’ rectangle stage 5’ high, 40’X30’ rectangle small curtained inner stage located at the back of the large stage- small curtained inner stage located at the back of the large stage- “The Heavens” “The Heavens” front part of the stage equipped with a trap door front part of the stage equipped with a trap door

The Globe

New Globe Theater Stage

The Sets and Effects stage bare however flags, banners, and musicians used stage bare however flags, banners, and musicians used actors lowered from heavens by cranes actors lowered from heavens by cranes sound effects (a cannon) - a spark of a cannon was the cause of the fire that destroyed The Globe sound effects (a cannon) - a spark of a cannon was the cause of the fire that destroyed The Globe torches were used to depict night torches were used to depict night

The Elizabethan Actor Fencing: Audience loved duels!!! Fencing: Audience loved duels!!! Tumbling: Lots of movement!!! Tumbling: Lots of movement!!! Dancing: Most plays ended with dancing!!! Dancing: Most plays ended with dancing!!! Elocution: Words were very important!!! Elocution: Words were very important!!! Acting: Doubled in many roles, females roles easily played by young boys due to the use of wigs and heavy makeup Acting: Doubled in many roles, females roles easily played by young boys due to the use of wigs and heavy makeup Music: Played throughout!!! Music: Played throughout!!!

The Elizabethan Actor all actors were male - men played all parts both male and female all actors were male - men played all parts both male and female actors held in disrepute actors held in disrepute considered “rogues, vagabonds, sturdy beggars, & common players” considered “rogues, vagabonds, sturdy beggars, & common players”

Audience Information Audience usually stood, seats were for those who paid Audience usually stood, seats were for those who paid Local officials were always trying to close theaters because they felt the people wasted their time there Local officials were always trying to close theaters because they felt the people wasted their time there London theaters were closed during the plague years for officials felt the disease was too easily spread throughout the audience London theaters were closed during the plague years for officials felt the disease was too easily spread throughout the audience

Black Death

William Shakespeare’s Life ( ) Lived from during the days of Queen Elizabeth Lived from during the days of Queen Elizabeth World’s greatest and most famous poet, playwright World’s greatest and most famous poet, playwright

William Shakespeare’s Life ( ) What was his genius? What was his genius? Had an understanding of people Had an understanding of people Skilled in words Skilled in words Everyone should know about Shakespeare for the English language and the theater has never been the same since Everyone should know about Shakespeare for the English language and the theater has never been the same since

William Shakespeare’s Life ( ) 1564 born in April 23 in Stratford-on- Avon, he died on that date in 1616 (age of 52) 1564 born in April 23 in Stratford-on- Avon, he died on that date in 1616 (age of 52) 1564 baptized April 26; 1 of 8 children 1564 baptized April 26; 1 of 8 children 1582 married Anne Hathaway 1582 married Anne Hathaway

William Shakespeare’s Life ( ) 1583 first child born, Susanna 1583 first child born, Susanna 1585 twins born, Hamnet and Judith 1585 twins born, Hamnet and Judith 1592 became a famous playwright and actor – his rival was Robert Greene 1592 became a famous playwright and actor – his rival was Robert Greene

William Shakespeare’s Life ( ) Was an actor for 20 years from Was an actor for 20 years from Charter member of Lord Chamberlain’s men, 1603 it became known as the King’s Men 1594 Charter member of Lord Chamberlain’s men, 1603 it became known as the King’s Men Wrote 154 sonnets, 37 plays, 2 book length narrative poems; Masterpieces : Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear Wrote 154 sonnets, 37 plays, 2 book length narrative poems; Masterpieces : Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear

William Shakespeare’s Life ( ) All plays were written for kings; paid $40 per play; plays were popular and please audiences; characters were real people (historical figures in many cases) All plays were written for kings; paid $40 per play; plays were popular and please audiences; characters were real people (historical figures in many cases) Shakespeare got his ideas from other plays and poems rather than his own personal experiences or current events from local material Shakespeare got his ideas from other plays and poems rather than his own personal experiences or current events from local material His plays were published 7 years after his death His plays were published 7 years after his death 1623 First Folio published – “true original copies” of all of his plays 1623 First Folio published – “true original copies” of all of his plays

William Shakespeare’s Life Why does he appeal? Why does he appeal? He speaks words that we wish we had said. People are always quoting him. (examples: It was Greek to me, in a pickle, a sorry sight, to be or not to be, all that glitters is not gold, elbow room, the long and short of it) He speaks words that we wish we had said. People are always quoting him. (examples: It was Greek to me, in a pickle, a sorry sight, to be or not to be, all that glitters is not gold, elbow room, the long and short of it) He appeals to all kinds of people in all times, nations, ages, and levels. He appeals to all kinds of people in all times, nations, ages, and levels. He is serious, funny, angry, ironical… He is serious, funny, angry, ironical…

William Shakespeare’s Life Why does he appeal? Why does he appeal? He does not make moral judgments. He does not make moral judgments. He captures in words and actions all the great problems that have tormented human beings throughout the ages. We take comfort in the fact that the hero has flaws and is NOT PERFECT! He captures in words and actions all the great problems that have tormented human beings throughout the ages. We take comfort in the fact that the hero has flaws and is NOT PERFECT! AND THE OLD GUY DID ALL THIS, PLAY AFTER PLAY, YEAR AFTER YEAR…