William Shakespeare A WRITER FOR ALL TIME

TOTUS MUNDUS AGIT HISTRIONEM Latin words literally mean, “All the world plays the actor.” Globe Motto: ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

Shakespeare Born April 23, 1564 Stratford-on-Avon, England Married Anne Hathaway Wrote about 154 sonnets, 37 plays Had the globe theater built (Queen Elizabeth funded), on Thames river Died 1616 on his 52 birthday

Actor for “Lord Chamberlain’s Men” (acting company.) Later, the company was renamed “The King’s Men.” *Known as the Renaissance Man *Known as the Bard (lyric poet)of Avon

Shakespeare wrote: Comedies-white flag at the Globe Histories –red flag at the globe Tragedies-black flag at the globe

Romeo and Juliet Considered a tragedy West Side Story (Movie) based on R&J

TRAGEDY main character, or protagonist, has a fatal flaw which causes disaster, or death at the end. There is a catastrophe at the end (resolution) Usually has dramatic irony, which purpose is to build suspense. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows what the characters do not know Fate plays a part in the downfall of the protagonist.

The Theater Plays produced for the general public Roofless>open air No artificial lighting Tiring house The Heavens

Spectators Wealthy sat on benches under a thatched roof “Groundlings” or “stinklings”-participated in the action of the play by yelling, sneering, or throwing food. Cost to stand in courtyard floor: a penny All but wealthy were uneducated/illiterate, yet all enjoyed.

Staging Areas *Stage extended into the pit *second-level gallery where the famous balcony scene in R & J took place *Trap door>ghosts or witches

DETAILS No scenery Elaborate, detailed, and colorful costumes and props Theater would hold 3000 spectators

Actors Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Elizabethan Words Anon: Soon Aye: Yes But: Except for E’en: Even Livery: A distinctive uniform or look

More words to translate Haply: Perhaps Hence: Away, from here Hie: Hurry Marry: Indeed

…and more Morrow – morning Prithee – please Sirrah – servant Hither – here Wanton (not just an Elizabethan word, but FYI)- willful, unrestrained

Blank Verse Much of R & J is written in blank verse: unrhymed iambic (unstressed, stressed) pentameter( 5 “feet” to a line) ends up to be 10 syllable lines

But the prologue… Is a SONNET

The sequence of events in a literary work Plot The sequence of events in a literary work

Exposition The introductory information for the story. Root word: expose setting characters basic situation

Inciting Moment Often called “initial incident” the first bit of action that occurs which begins the plot Romeo and Juliet “lock eyes” at the party

Conflict The struggle that develops man vs. man man vs. himself man vs. society man vs. nature -man vs technology

Act One The exposition Act two The rising action

Climax - Act III The turning point of the story-the point at which the plot (story) actually changes course. There is an event which changes the direction of the story. Then the plot begins to unravel.

ACT IV The story unravels, or the action begins to fall. Conflict all but disappears. Characters respond to what has happened.

Resolution – ACT V The end of the central conflict In a tragedy, the resolution is called the catastrophe

Denouement The final explanation or outcome of the plot If this is included in literature, it will occur after the resolution.

Theme Central lesson or idea Insight about life Theme of R&J

Dramatic Foil A character whose purpose is to show off another character through contrast Benvolio for Tybalt

Round characters Characters who have many personality traits, like real people. Example: Romeo, Friar, Juliet

Flat Characters One-dimensional, embodying only a single trait Shakespeare often uses them to provide comic relief even in a tragedy Example: Mercutio, Nurse

Static Characters Characters within a story who remain the same. They do not change. They do not change their minds, opinions or character. Example: Tybalt, Prince

Dynamic Character Characters that change somehow during the course of the plot. They generally change for the better. Example: Juliet changes from an immature girl to a mature young woman

Monologue One person speaking on stage - may be another character on stage too Ex: the Prince of Verona commanding the Capulets and Montagues to cease feuding

Soliloquy Long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage. In R & J, Romeo gives a soliloquy after the servant has fled and Paris has died.

Aside Words spoken, usually in an undertone not intended to be heard by all characters Can be directed toward another character or to the audience Think Zack from “Saved by the Bell.”

Stage Directions Notes in a play that describe how the work should be performed, or staged. These instructions are for the player and director. When performing the play, stage directions are never spoken Dialogue - A conversation between two or more characters. Dialogue reveals the personalities of the characters and advances the action of the play.

Pun Shakespeare loved to use them!!! Humorous use of a word with two meanings. Ex: Sole and soul

OXYMORON -A figure of speech that brings together two contradictory terms “cheerful pessimist” “wise fool” “jumbo shrimp” “sweet sorrow”- Shakespeare “loving hate” - Shakespeare

Direct Address Words that tell the reader who is being addressed: “A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.” The word “ho” is not a noun of direct address. LOL!

Dramatic Irony A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true

Verbal Irony Words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant Sarcasm is verbal irony, though verbal irony is not always sarcasm

Situational Irony An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience

Comic Relief Use of comedy within literature to provide “relief” from seriousness or sadness. “Lightens up” the moment. In R & J, look for moments of comic relief that help “relieve” the tragedy of the situation