1. OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE One of several great tragedies written in early 1600’s One of several great tragedies written in early 1600’s Setting: Cyprus during wars between Venetians and Turks Setting: Cyprus during wars between Venetians and Turks “Moor” = one of North African/Arabic descent “Moor” = one of North African/Arabic descent Othello’s race uncertain Othello’s race uncertain

2. OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE Characters: Characters: Othello: Venetian general Othello: Venetian general Desdemona: his wife Desdemona: his wife Iago: his “ancient/ensign” Iago: his “ancient/ensign” Cassio: his lieutenant Cassio: his lieutenant Roderigo: former suitor of Desdemona’s Roderigo: former suitor of Desdemona’s Emilia: Iago’s wife, Desdemona’s attendant Emilia: Iago’s wife, Desdemona’s attendant Brabantio: Desdemona’s father Brabantio: Desdemona’s father Bianca: Cassio’s mistress Bianca: Cassio’s mistress

3. HENRY V One of Shakespeare’s best-known “history plays” (liberties are taken…) One of Shakespeare’s best-known “history plays” (liberties are taken…) Final part of tetralogy: Final part of tetralogy: Richard II Richard II Henry IV Part I Henry IV Part I Henry IV Part II Henry IV Part II Henry was rebellious, dissolute young prince in previous plays—sig. change Henry was rebellious, dissolute young prince in previous plays—sig. change Context: Hundred Years War (c. 1415) Context: Hundred Years War (c. 1415) Edward III claimed throne of France Edward III claimed throne of France England wanted land in France England wanted land in France

4. HENRY V Characters: too many to enumerate Characters: too many to enumerate Chorus Chorus Henry V- King of England Henry V- King of England Various English dukes- advisors/relatives of Henry Various English dukes- advisors/relatives of Henry Archbishop of Canterbury/Bishop of Ely- wealthy churchmen Archbishop of Canterbury/Bishop of Ely- wealthy churchmen Earl of Cambridge/Lord Scroop/Sir Grey- English conspirators Earl of Cambridge/Lord Scroop/Sir Grey- English conspirators Falstaff et al.- former never appears but dies off stage—Henry’s friend in his formerly wild days Falstaff et al.- former never appears but dies off stage—Henry’s friend in his formerly wild days Charles VI- King of France Charles VI- King of France Dauphin- heir to French throne Dauphin- heir to French throne Catherine- Charles VI’s daughter Catherine- Charles VI’s daughter Various French nobles Various French nobles

5. HAMLET Written around same time as Othello (c. 1603) Written around same time as Othello (c. 1603) Among Shakespeare’s most popular, quoted, performed plays—definitely the longest Among Shakespeare’s most popular, quoted, performed plays—definitely the longest Set in Denmark, likely 16 th /17 th century Set in Denmark, likely 16 th /17 th century Protestant since 1536 Protestant since 1536 United with Norway, first as part of Kalmar Union of Scandinavian countries (1397) and later as province (1536) United with Norway, first as part of Kalmar Union of Scandinavian countries (1397) and later as province (1536) Plot context: Plot context: Hamlet’s father recently dead Hamlet’s father recently dead Attack from Norway feared—Prince Fortinbras’ father killed by Hamlet’s father Attack from Norway feared—Prince Fortinbras’ father killed by Hamlet’s father

6. HAMLET Characters: Characters: Hamlet- prince of Denmark Hamlet- prince of Denmark Claudius (“King”)- Hamlet’s uncle, new king Claudius (“King”)- Hamlet’s uncle, new king Gertrude (“Queen”)- Hamlet’s mother Gertrude (“Queen”)- Hamlet’s mother Polonius- lord chamberlain in Danish court Polonius- lord chamberlain in Danish court Laertes- Polonius’ son, Ophelia’s brother Laertes- Polonius’ son, Ophelia’s brother Ophelia- Polonius’ daughter, Laertes’ sister Ophelia- Polonius’ daughter, Laertes’ sister Horatio- Hamlet’s friend Horatio- Hamlet’s friend Rosencrantz & Guildenstern- two courtiers later sent to watch Hamlet Rosencrantz & Guildenstern- two courtiers later sent to watch Hamlet Fortinbras- prince of Norway Fortinbras- prince of Norway Ghost- spirit of Hamlet’s father Ghost- spirit of Hamlet’s father Marcellus, Bernardo- soldiers who first see Hamlet’s father’s ghost Marcellus, Bernardo- soldiers who first see Hamlet’s father’s ghost

7. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Among Shakespeare’s earlier works (written 1590’s?) Among Shakespeare’s earlier works (written 1590’s?) Comedy Comedy Setting: Athens during either May or June Setting: Athens during either May or June Ethereal mood Ethereal mood Many classical allusions Many classical allusions Four interwoven storylines: Four interwoven storylines: Impending wedding of Theseus & Hippolyta Impending wedding of Theseus & Hippolyta Two conflicting couples (Hermia/Lysander & Helena/Demetrius) Two conflicting couples (Hermia/Lysander & Helena/Demetrius) Tension between Oberon and Titania (fairy royalty) Tension between Oberon and Titania (fairy royalty) Planned theatricals of Bottom & other Athenian laborers Planned theatricals of Bottom & other Athenian laborers

8. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Characters: Characters: Theseus- Duke of Athens Theseus- Duke of Athens Hippolyta- Theseus’ fiancée Hippolyta- Theseus’ fiancée Egeus- Hermia’s father Egeus- Hermia’s father Hermia- in love with Lysander Hermia- in love with Lysander Lysander- in love with Hermia Lysander- in love with Hermia Helena- in love with Demetrius Helena- in love with Demetrius Demetrius- used to be in love with Helena—left her for Hermia Demetrius- used to be in love with Helena—left her for Hermia Oberon- king of the fairies Oberon- king of the fairies Titania- queen of the fairies Titania- queen of the fairies Puck- aka “Robin Goodfellow,” fairy under Oberon’s command Puck- aka “Robin Goodfellow,” fairy under Oberon’s command Peter Quince- leader of Athenian laborers attempting to stage Pyramus & Thisbe Peter Quince- leader of Athenian laborers attempting to stage Pyramus & Thisbe Bottom- bumbling member of laborers group Bottom- bumbling member of laborers group