1. Widely regarded as the greatest writer in English Literature
William Shakespeare
Widely regarded as the greatest writer in English Literature
Courtesy of

2. Shakespeare 1563-1616 Stratford-on-Avon, England wrote 37 plays
about 154 sonnets
started out as an actor

3. Stage Celebrity Actor for Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London theater co.)
Also, a principal playwright for them
1599> Lord Ch. Co. built Globe Theater where most of Sh. Play’s were performed

4. Shakespeare wrote:
Comedies
Histories
Tragedies

5. The Theater Plays produced for the general public Roofless = open air
No artificial lighting
Courtyard surrounded by 3 levels of galleries

6. Spectators Wealthy got benches
“Groundlings” - poorer people stood and watched from the courtyard (“pit”)
All but wealthy were uneducated/illiterate
Much more interaction than today

7. Staging Areas Stage - platform that extended into the pit
Dressing & storage rooms in galleries behind & above stage
Trap door was for things like ghosts

8. Differences No scenery Settings were referenced in dialogue
Elaborate costumes
Plenty of props
Fast-paced, colorful>2 hours!

9. 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

10. Elizabethan (QE1) Words
An,and: If
Anon: Soon
Aye: Yes
But: Except for
E’en: Even
E’er: Ever
Whence: Where
Wilt: Will (you)
Haply: Perhaps
Happy: Fortunate
Hence: Away
Hie: Hurry
Marry: Indeed
Withal: In addition to
Would: Wish

11. Prose Ordinary writing that is not poetry, drama, or song
Only characters in the lower social classes speak this way in Shakespeare’s plays
Why do you suppose that is?

12. Inciting Moment Often called “initial incident”
the first bit of action that occurs which begins the plot
Witches casting a spell in Act 1 Scene i

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

14. Tragedy (Shakespearean)
Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster/great misfortune
In many tragedies, downfall results from>
Fate
Character flaw/Fatal flaw
Combination of the two

15. Dramatic Foil
A character whose purpose is to show off another character
The Macduffs to the Macbeths

16. Monologue
One person speaking on stage > may be other character on stage too

17. Soliloquy
Long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage.

18. Aside
Words spoken, usually in an undertone not intended to be heard by all characters

19. Pun Shakespeare loved to use them
Humorous use of a word with two meanings > sometimes missed by the reader because of Elizabethan language and sexual innuendo

20. Direct Address Words that tell the reader who is being addressed:
“A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.”
“Ah, my mistresses, which of you all/ Will now deny to dance?”

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

22. Verbal Irony
Words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant

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

24. Comic Relief
Use of comedy within literature that is NOT comedy to provide “relief” from seriousness or sadness.
Wait for the scene with the Porter…you will understand