1. Shakespeare and You: He’s Seriously Not Boring. Bonus Feature: A Wee History of Romeo and Juliet!

2. Introduction Shakespeare’s plays were not written specifically to torment readers like yourselves. They were written to be preformed! Plays were the only form of entertainment (if you don’t count hangings) in Elizabethan England, so there were many more playwrights and theaters than Shakespeare. However, his work is considered the best writing of that time. Shakespeare’s plays were not written specifically to torment readers like yourselves. They were written to be preformed! Plays were the only form of entertainment (if you don’t count hangings) in Elizabethan England, so there were many more playwrights and theaters than Shakespeare. However, his work is considered the best writing of that time. Note: Elizabethan England = England at the time of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) Note: Elizabethan England = England at the time of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)

3. Reminder… Also, friends, remember that these plays were written to be SEEN by people who were illiterate – people who could not read! They were never meant to be read by classes of uninterested children. But the themes presented in these plays makes them timeless. And the writing makes them classic. But we’ll get into this later. Also, friends, remember that these plays were written to be SEEN by people who were illiterate – people who could not read! They were never meant to be read by classes of uninterested children. But the themes presented in these plays makes them timeless. And the writing makes them classic. But we’ll get into this later.

4. No Academy Awards… The people who acted in these plays were normal people like me and you. Well, not quite. There were no female actors in Elizabethan England. Male actors or young boys played female parts. Yes, even in love scenes. The people who acted in these plays were normal people like me and you. Well, not quite. There were no female actors in Elizabethan England. Male actors or young boys played female parts. Yes, even in love scenes.

5. Where The Play At? Shakespeare’s plays were held at the Globe Theater, but there were many other theaters in England that shared success. The Swan, the Rose, the Curtain, and the Boar’s Head are all theaters that would draw the same crowds as Shakespeare’s – everyone from the loud, raucous, smelly and poor to the Queen of England. Shakespeare’s plays were held at the Globe Theater, but there were many other theaters in England that shared success. The Swan, the Rose, the Curtain, and the Boar’s Head are all theaters that would draw the same crowds as Shakespeare’s – everyone from the loud, raucous, smelly and poor to the Queen of England. Ticket prices were based on where you sat – as high as a quarter for a great seat with a cushion, and as low as a penny for a standing- room seat with the groundlings! Ticket prices were based on where you sat – as high as a quarter for a great seat with a cushion, and as low as a penny for a standing- room seat with the groundlings!

6. Down to the Globe The Globe was built in London in 1599. It prospered for years before it burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII, when a cannon used on stage lit the thatched roof on fire. It was so popular that the theater was rebuilt the same year! Let’s check out the theater with this sweet video clip: The Globe was built in London in 1599. It prospered for years before it burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII, when a cannon used on stage lit the thatched roof on fire. It was so popular that the theater was rebuilt the same year! Let’s check out the theater with this sweet video clip: Shakespeare's Globe with Uncle Maynard Shakespeare's Globe with Uncle Maynard Shakespeare's Globe with Uncle Maynard Shakespeare's Globe with Uncle Maynard

7. That Wasn’t Enough. Let’s voyage down on a few self-guided tours of the Globe to see if we can see all the parts on your Globe Theater worksheet. Let’s voyage down on a few self-guided tours of the Globe to see if we can see all the parts on your Globe Theater worksheet. http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/virtualtour/stage/ http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/virtualtour/stage/ http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/virtualtour/stage/ http://virtual.clemson.edu/caah/shakespr/VRGLOBE/inde x.php http://virtual.clemson.edu/caah/shakespr/VRGLOBE/inde x.php http://virtual.clemson.edu/caah/shakespr/VRGLOBE/inde x.php http://virtual.clemson.edu/caah/shakespr/VRGLOBE/inde x.php

8. The Labeled Globe (in colour) This illustration shows the general appearance of an Elizabethan public theater. The buildings were round, square, or many-sided. All were open at the top. This illustration shows the general appearance of an Elizabethan public theater. The buildings were round, square, or many-sided. All were open at the top. Spectators stood in the pit or sat in the galleries. Actors performed on the main stage, in the discovery space, and on the upper stage. Spectators stood in the pit or sat in the galleries. Actors performed on the main stage, in the discovery space, and on the upper stage. The hut atop the roof contained machinery to produce sound effects and various special effects. The hut atop the roof contained machinery to produce sound effects and various special effects. Source: http://www.tesd.k12.pa.us/tems/li brary/theaterlabeled.htm Source: http://www.tesd.k12.pa.us/tems/li brary/theaterlabeled.htm

9. So that’s the Globe. I hope you liked it. Remember – this stuff really happened! Plays like Romeo and Juliet were really performed in front of audiences of 3000 people. Shakespeare was a writer and an actor, but he didn’t make up the stories. He took myths, history, and current events and wrote plays about them, pretending he was there. I hope you liked it. Remember – this stuff really happened! Plays like Romeo and Juliet were really performed in front of audiences of 3000 people. Shakespeare was a writer and an actor, but he didn’t make up the stories. He took myths, history, and current events and wrote plays about them, pretending he was there.

10. Sources for R+J A poem by Arthur Brooke called The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Iuliet, written in 1562. A poem by Arthur Brooke called The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Iuliet, written in 1562. A collection of stories by William Painter, entitled The Palace of Pleasure, which was written sometime before 1580. A collection of stories by William Painter, entitled The Palace of Pleasure, which was written sometime before 1580. Shakespeare also likely read the three sources on which Brooke's poem and Painter's story were based -- namely, Giulietta e Romeo, a novella by the Italian author Matteo Bandello, written in 1554; a story in a collection called Il Novellio, by the widely-popular fifteenth-century writer Masuccio Salernitano; and the Historia Novellamente Ritrovata di Due Nobili Amanti or A Story Newly Found of two Noble Lovers, written by Luigi Da Porto and published in 1530. Shakespeare also likely read the three sources on which Brooke's poem and Painter's story were based -- namely, Giulietta e Romeo, a novella by the Italian author Matteo Bandello, written in 1554; a story in a collection called Il Novellio, by the widely-popular fifteenth-century writer Masuccio Salernitano; and the Historia Novellamente Ritrovata di Due Nobili Amanti or A Story Newly Found of two Noble Lovers, written by Luigi Da Porto and published in 1530.

11. Film Versions: Yay or Nay? There are two accepted film versions of Romeo and Juliet ; Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 version, and Baz Lurhmann’s 1996 version. Zeffirelli’s is more traditional, with period costumes, but I find it a bit dated. Lurhmann’s version has been criticized as being too over the top, but I think it perfectly conveys the story while holding your attention. We will watch the Baz Luhrmann adaptation, but I encourage you to rent the Zeffirelli if you’re interested! There are two accepted film versions of Romeo and Juliet ; Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 version, and Baz Lurhmann’s 1996 version. Zeffirelli’s is more traditional, with period costumes, but I find it a bit dated. Lurhmann’s version has been criticized as being too over the top, but I think it perfectly conveys the story while holding your attention. We will watch the Baz Luhrmann adaptation, but I encourage you to rent the Zeffirelli if you’re interested!version

12. Shakespeare Fun! Shakespeare is not boring. There are many fun things to do online surrounding The Bard. This is only one of my favorites: Shakespeare is not boring. There are many fun things to do online surrounding The Bard. This is only one of my favorites: http://www.william- shakespeare.org.uk/a2-shakespeare- insult-generator.htm http://www.william- shakespeare.org.uk/a2-shakespeare- insult-generator.htm http://www.william- shakespeare.org.uk/a2-shakespeare- insult-generator.htm http://www.william- shakespeare.org.uk/a2-shakespeare- insult-generator.htm Try making up your own!