Introduction to Shakespeare

The Early Years Born in April 1564 in Stratford on Avon Born in April 1564 in Stratford on Avon Parents John and Mary Arden Shakespeare Parents John and Mary Arden Shakespeare Seven brothers and sisters Seven brothers and sisters His father - a fairly rich merchant His father - a fairly rich merchant

Stratford on Avon

Shakespeare‘s Schooling Grammar School from age 7 to 13 Grammar School from age 7 to 13

Wife and Children  Marriage Marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582 Anne was 26, he was 18 3 children The youngest, Hamnet died at the age of 11

London  went to London at 21  joined a travelling company of actors  worked both as an actor and a writer

William Shakespeare Born 1564, died 1616 Born 1564, died 1616 Wrote 37 plays Wrote 37 plays Wrote over 150 sonnets Wrote over 150 sonnets Actor, poet, playwright Actor, poet, playwright

Shakespeare wrote: Shakespeare wrote: Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings Histories – involve events or persons from history Histories – involve events or persons from history Types of Plays

The Rebuilt Globe Theater, London

The Globe Theatre: The Globe Theatre: Open ceiling Open ceiling Three stories high Three stories high No artificial lighting No artificial lighting Plays were shown during daylight hours only Plays were shown during daylight hours only The Theatre

Spectators Wealthy people got to sit on benches Wealthy people got to sit on benches The poor (called “ groundlings ” ) had to stand and watch from the courtyard The poor (called “ groundlings ” ) had to stand and watch from the courtyard There was much more audience participation than today There was much more audience participation than today

Actors Only men and boys Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women ’ s roles Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women ’ s roles It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Unlocking Shakespeare’s Language Students often find Shakespeare difficult to read for the following reasons: Students often find Shakespeare difficult to read for the following reasons: Unusual sequence of words Unusual sequence of words I ate the Big Mac. I ate the Big Mac. Ate the Big Mac I. Ate the Big Mac I. I the Big Mac ate. I the Big Mac ate. Ate I the Big Mac. Ate I the Big Mac. The Big Mac I ate. The Big Mac I ate. The Big Mac ate I. The Big Mac ate I. ?

Unlocking Shakespeare’s Language Clauses that delay Clauses that delay On the Channel Nine late show at twelve o’ clock, while eating pistachio ice cream, before turning to homework, Ralph saw Martha. On the Channel Nine late show at twelve o’ clock, while eating pistachio ice cream, before turning to homework, Ralph saw Martha. Separations of Related Parts Separations of Related Parts While home from school sadly was my cousin Joan walking, little children far away happily singing in the afternoon she heard. While home from school sadly was my cousin Joan walking, little children far away happily singing in the afternoon she heard.

Unlocking Shakespeare’s Language Troublesome omissions – syllables and parts of syllables Troublesome omissions – syllables and parts of syllables I’m goin’ t’ town. I’m goin’ t’ town. Tha’s good – lemme go wi, ya. Tha’s good – lemme go wi, ya. Troublesome omissions – words Troublesome omissions – words If that call’s for me, (say) I’m not home. If that call’s for me, (say) I’m not home. (If you) do that to me again, you’re in deep (trouble). (If you) do that to me again, you’re in deep (trouble).

Do not pause at the end of a line unless the punctuation calls for it Read it like prose Many of these plays have numerous references to people, places, events, myths, etc., that you might not be familiar with. That’s what the notes are for—use them. Keep a dictionary handy How to Read the Plays

Romeo and Juliet Considered a tragedy Considered a tragedy Tells the story of two teenagers who risk everything for love Tells the story of two teenagers who risk everything for love Shakespeare is exploring which is stronger: love or hate Shakespeare is exploring which is stronger: love or hate

The Montagues Lord Montague – father of Romeo Lady Montague – mother of Romeo Romeo Montague – in love with Juliet Benvolio – nephew of Montague and friend of Romeo Balthasar – servant to Romeo Abram – servant to Montague

The Capulets Lord Capulet – father of Juliet Lady Capulet – mother of Juliet Juliet Capulet – in love with Romeo Tybalt – nephew of Lady Capulet Nurse – takes care of Juliet Peter – servant to Juliet ’ s Nurse

Other Characters Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona Mercutio – kinsman of the Prince and friend of Romeo Friar Laurence – a Franciscan priest Friar John – another Franciscan priest Count Paris – a young nobleman

Things to think about… What would you do if your parents did not approve of someone you were dating? What would you do if your parents did not approve of someone you were dating? How important is the opinion of your family in decisions that you make? How important is the opinion of your family in decisions that you make? Does violence solve problems? Does violence solve problems?

Shakespeare’s English Continued The following phrases were coined by Shakespeare. What do they mean and how do we use them today. Choose at least four of them to use in your own creative story: A laughing stock (The Merry Wives of Windsor) A sorry sight (Macbeth) As dead as a doornail (Henry VI) Eaten out of house and home (Henry V, Part 2) Fair play (The Tempest) I will wear my heart upon my sleeve (Othello) In a pickle (The Tempest) In stitches (Twelfth Night) In the twinkling of an eye (The Merchant Of Venice) Mum's the word (Henry VI, Part 2) Neither here nor there (Othello) Send him packing (Henry IV) Set your teeth on edge (Henry IV) There's method in my madness (Hamlet) Too much of a good thing (As You Like It) Vanish into thin air (Othello)