1. Shakespearean Drama: Background
Julius Caesar
English II

2. “All the World’s a Stage”
Shakespeare’s Philosophy: “All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages…” -- From As You Like It

3. Theatre During Shakespeare’s Time
Plays were performed in public theaters.
Wealthy playgoers sat on the benches
Less wealthy playgoers stood in the pit
Hazelnuts were their theater food of choice.
The GLOBE
Where many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed.
Located in London – built in 1599.
Was reconstructed in 1997
Held ~3,000 people

7. Theater Cont’d
Setting and stage directions were imbedded in the script:
“Soft! What light through yonder window breaks?”
Women did NOT perform in the theater
Plays lasted roughly 2 hours

8. Theatrical Terms
Monologue: a long speech made by one actor usually expressing thoughts.
Soliloquy: a long speech made by an actor to the audience (the content is private).
Aside: the character speaks to the audience; it’s unheard by the other characters

9. Shakespeare Shakespeare is known for his wordplay.
Oxymoron: a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms
“the deafening silence”
“the living dead”
Pun: a play on words that suggests two or more meanings
“I work as a baker because I knead dough.”
“Never invest in funerals; it is a dying industry.”
Headline: “Energizer Bunny Arrested—Charged With Battery”

10. Activity
Part I: Research Shakespearean puns tonight on the internet. Find five examples, write them down, and explain why each is a pun.
Part II: Shakespeare re-orders many of his words.
“John caught the ball”  in Shakespearean…“The ball John caught” OR “John the ball caught”
YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Come up with five normal sentences and then re-word them into “Shakespearean lingo” (DUE tomorrow!)