Journal What I already know about Shakespeare… (If you don’t know anything about him, that’s FINE! Share your EXPECTATIONS and PREDICTIONS about his life and work instead.)

Meet the Bard: William Shakespeare Geller’s Fabulous 9 th Grade Literature Class 9 th Grade Literature Class Spring 2014

Shakespeare’s Life Born April 23, 1564, Stratford- on-Avon, England Born April 23, 1564, Stratford- on-Avon, England Died on his birthday in 1616 Died on his birthday in 1616 Little is known about his early life Little is known about his early life Father was a merchant and served one term as mayor Father was a merchant and served one term as mayor Attended Stratford Grammar School until age 14 Attended Stratford Grammar School until age 14 Studied Latin and Greek, as well as British History and World History Studied Latin and Greek, as well as British History and World History

Shakespeare’s House in Stratford-on-Avon

Shakespeare’s Life, continued Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 Three children: Susanna, Judith and Hamnet Three children: Susanna, Judith and Hamnet Left for London around 1592 Left for London around 1592

Shakespeare and His Theatre Quickly developed a reputation as an actor and playwright; wrote a total of 37 plays Quickly developed a reputation as an actor and playwright; wrote a total of 37 plays Principal playwright of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men Principal playwright of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men Built the Globe Theatre in 1599 Built the Globe Theatre in 1599 Began writing poetry when theatres closed due to plague Began writing poetry when theatres closed due to plague Theatre company renamed the King’s Men when James I became king in 1603 Theatre company renamed the King’s Men when James I became king in 1603 Retired to Stratford in 1610 Retired to Stratford in 1610

Shakespeare’s Theatre No one knows exactly when each play was written No one knows exactly when each play was written Plays consisted of five acts and were approximately two hours long Plays consisted of five acts and were approximately two hours long Several distinct sub-genres of drama: Several distinct sub-genres of drama: Tragedies Tragedies Comedies Comedies Romances Romances History Plays History Plays Subject matter based on history and myth; already well- known to Shakespeare’s audiences Subject matter based on history and myth; already well- known to Shakespeare’s audiences Theatre considered an inappropriate vocation for women; female roles typically played by men and boys Theatre considered an inappropriate vocation for women; female roles typically played by men and boys

"Pardon, gentles all, the flat unraised spirits that hath dared On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth so great an object. Can this cockpit hold the vasty fields of France? Or may we cram Within this “Wooden O” the very casques that did affright the air at Agincourt?"

Shakespeare’s Theatre, continued… The Globe consisted of a round or octagonal, roofless courtyard with no artificial light The Globe consisted of a round or octagonal, roofless courtyard with no artificial light Plays performed during daylight hours Plays performed during daylight hours No scenery; settings were indicated through dialogue No scenery; settings were indicated through dialogue Actors wore luxurious Elizabethan clothing, rather than costumes Actors wore luxurious Elizabethan clothing, rather than costumes Wealthier playgoers watched from three levels of benches Wealthier playgoers watched from three levels of benches Less wealthy spectators, called “groundlings,” stood and watched from the “pit.” Less wealthy spectators, called “groundlings,” stood and watched from the “pit.”

Shakespeare’s Theatre, continued The Globe burned down in 1613 The Globe burned down in 1613 Foundation of original structure discovered in 1990 Foundation of original structure discovered in 1990 Re-opened to its first full season in 1997 Re-opened to its first full season in 1997

The Globe

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare’s plays were written primarily in blank verse—unrhymed iambic pentameter. Shakespeare’s plays were written primarily in blank verse—unrhymed iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter: ten syllables per line, every second syllable accented Iambic pentameter: ten syllables per line, every second syllable accented Commoners speak in prose Commoners speak in prose

Shakespeare’s Language, continued Elizabethan English Elizabethan English Footnotes are your friends! Footnotes are your friends! “Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind; And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgment taste. 65 Wings, and no eyes, figure 66 unheedy haste.” 65. Nor…judgment taste: Love, which arises from feelings, is without judgment. 66. figure: Symbolize

Romeo and Juliet: Setting, Character, and Theme

What Is Setting? Setting is WHERE and WHEN the drama takes place. Setting is WHERE and WHEN the drama takes place. What is our setting? What is our setting? Cantonl, Georgia, USA Cantonl, Georgia, USA

Setting in Romeo and Juliet Setting = TIME and PLACE Setting = TIME and PLACE 14 th or 15 th Century (1300s or 1400s) 14 th or 15 th Century (1300s or 1400s) Verona and Mantua, Italy Verona and Mantua, Italy

What Is a Character? Characters are the people in a story or play. Characters are the people in a story or play. Another word for the main character is the protagonist. Another word for the main character is the protagonist. Who do you think are the protagonists in Romeo and Juliet? Who do you think are the protagonists in Romeo and Juliet? Characters can be static or dynamic Characters can be static or dynamic Static characters stay the same Static characters stay the same Dynamic characters change Dynamic characters change The protagonist of a tragedy is the tragic hero The protagonist of a tragedy is the tragic hero Generally good people Generally good people Tragic flaw leads to downfall Tragic flaw leads to downfall

Characters in Romeo and Juliet Montagues Capulets Montagues Capulets Romeo Juliet Romeo Juliet Mercutio Upper Class Tybalt Mercutio Upper Class Tybalt Benvolio Feuding* Nurse Benvolio Feuding* Nurse Lord and Lady Lord and Montague Lady Capulet Lord and Lady Lord and Montague Lady Capulet

What is Theme? Theme is the “big idea” in a piece of literature Theme is the “big idea” in a piece of literature What the author is really trying to say about people and life What the author is really trying to say about people and life Themes in Romeo and Juliet: Themes in Romeo and Juliet: The power of love The power of love Obedience to parents Obedience to parents The dangers of violence and hatred The dangers of violence and hatred

Verona, Italy

Juliet Romeo