1. William Shakespeare

2. Timeline 1564: Born in Stratford-upon-Avon Learned Latin and studied Greek and Roman Classical literature as a child. – His plays were highly influenced by these texts. 1590s: Began acting professionally and writing plays in London. 1599: The Globe Theatre was constructed, in which many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed. 1599: Julius Caesar was performed as the first play to be produced in the Globe Theatre. 1616: Died in Stratford-upon-Avon.

4. Tragedy “Tragedy is, then, an enactment of a deed that is important and complete, and of a certain magnitude, by means of language enriched with ornaments, each used separately in the different parts of the play: it is enacted, not merely recited, and through pity and fear it effects relief (catharsis) to such and similar emotions.” Aristotle, Poetics, VI 1449b 2-3

5. enactment deed that is important complete of a certain magnitude language enriched with ornaments recited through pity and fear it effects relief (catharsis) to such and similar emotions

6. Elements of a Tragedy Five acts Three unities: – action: a play should have one main action that it follows, with no or few subplots. – place: the action in a play should take place in only one setting. – time: the action in a play should take place over no more than 24 hours. Main characters of noble rank Several of the main characters along with the tragic hero die by the end, and order is finally restored. No scenes of horror onstage

7. Tragic hero The protagonist of a tragedy. The audience feels pity or sympathy towards him. Shows hubris—pride or arrogance, the presumption that one’s mind alone can distinguish good and evil. Has a tragic flaw—error in judgment. Experiences a reversal of fortune. Experiences a recognition of the error.

8. Examples Oedipus in Sophocles' Oedipus the King (429 BC). OedipusOedipus the King Brutus in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (1599). BrutusWilliam ShakespeareJulius Caesar Hamlet in Shakespeare's Hamlet (1601). Hamlet Lear in Shakespeare's King Lear (c. 1603-1606). LearKing Lear Macbeth in Shakespeare's Macbeth (c. 1603-1607). Macbeth Othello in Shakespeare's Othello (1604). Othello Batman/Bruce Wayne from the DC Universe (1939). Batman Spider-Man/Peter Parker from the Marvel Universe (1962). Spider-Man Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in George Lucas' Star Wars (1977-2005). Anakin Skywalker/Darth VaderGeorge LucasStar Wars William Wallace in Mel Gibson's Braveheart (1995). William WallaceMel GibsonBraveheart Walt Kowalski in Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino (2008).Gran Torino Harvey Dent in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008). Harvey DentChristopher NolanThe Dark Knight Maximus in Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000 film)Ridley ScottGladiator (2000 film)

9. Important questions to consider What makes a good leader? Who is the tragic hero of the play, Julius Caesar or Brutus? – “This play is distinctive because it has no villains” (Wills 118).

10. A laughing stock (The Merry Wives of Windsor) A sorry sight (Macbeth)Macbeth As dead as a doornail (Henry VI) Eaten out of house and home (Henry V, Part 2) Fair play (The Tempest)The Tempest I will wear my heart upon my sleeve (Othello) In a pickle (The Tempest)The Tempest In stitches (Twelfth Night) In the twinkling of an eye (The Merchant Of Venice) Mum's the word (Henry VI, Part 2) Neither here nor there (Othello) Send him packing (Henry IV) Set your teeth on edge (Henry IV) There's method in my madness (Hamlet)Hamlet Too much of a good thing (As You Like It) Vanish into thin air (Othello A dish fit for the gods (Julius Caesar) It was Greek to me (Julius Caesar) Itching palm (Julius Caesar) Lean and hungry look (Julius Caesar) Lie low (Much Ado about Nothing) Live long day (Julius Caesar)

11. Shakespeare’s Language Iamb: an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. – I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do not like them in a box. I do not like them with a fox. I will not eat them here or there. I will not eat them anywhere.

12. Iambic pentameter: a line of verse with five “feet”: five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables in a row. Blank verse: lines of iambic pentameter that do not rhyme – He was my friend, faithful and just to me. But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honourable man.

13. Antiquated word forms – When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.

14. Reversed word order – I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?

15. Figurative language – I could be well moved if I were as you. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me. But I am constant as the Northern Star, Of whose true fixed and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament. The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks; They are all fire, and every one doth shine; But there’s but one in all doth hold his place.