1. William Shakespeare April 23, 1564 (?) - April 23, 1616

2. Early Life Born in Stratford, England Born in Stratford, England On the banks of the Avon River Son of a glove-maker Christening – April 26, 1564 Christening – April 26, 1564 Third of eight children Third of eight children Nov. 1582- Married Anne Hathaway Nov. 1582- Married Anne Hathaway –8 years older than he May 1583 – child Susanna baptized May 1583 – child Susanna baptized (you do the math) Living in London (1589) Living in London (1589)

3. Popular Entertainer Actor Actor Director Director Writer Writer Partner Partner Contemporaries recognized his genius Contemporaries recognized his genius Modern-day examples of people who act, direct, write, and own: Mel Brooks, Robert Redford, Tyler Perry, Kevin Smith… Modern-day examples of people who act, direct, write, and own: Mel Brooks, Robert Redford, Tyler Perry, Kevin Smith…

4. Business Man Acting, writing, directing paid the bills Acting, writing, directing paid the bills Real wealth – his share of the ticket receipts. Real wealth – his share of the ticket receipts. –Part owner of the acting company –Part owner of the theater (Globe) (think Houston Astros’ owner) - did send money home to his wife - bought one of the largest homes in Stratford for his family - bought respectability – coat-of-arms

5. Criticisms of Shakespeare Education was limited Education was limited - had church bells (not invented until medieval times in Rome) Didn’t travel and see the world Didn’t travel and see the world –Never visited Italy; mistakes in plays Knew little of foreign languages Knew little of foreign languages Commoner Commoner –Wrote of intimate details that would have been unknown to him

6. Popular Entertainment No cinema, no television, no football No cinema, no television, no football –Wealthy people hired musicians, actors, dancers and fencers –Everyone else had to find entertainment: In London, it was Theater Today: Go to a movie, then a bar or nightclub Then: Go to a play, then a tavern

7. Wrong Side of the River The lifestyles of the rich and famous The lifestyles of the rich and famous -Fun to watch and read about Theaters were disreputable Theaters were disreputable –Banned from London –Built outside city limits (across the Thames Rivers) –Southwark (Red-light district) Prostitutes, charlatans, actors Prostitutes, charlatans, actors Women prohibited from acting: immoral Women prohibited from acting: immoral –Boys played female characters

8. The Globe First Globe burned in 1613 Second Globe torn down by Puritans in 1644 Circular outdoor theater – 100 feet across Wooden “O” Stage 50x25, jutted out into audience Groundlings – those who stood on the ground around the stage – paid the least Galleries – seats that formed the walls of the theater – extra fee Box seats – cost even more 3,000 attendees Most money spent on costumes, not setFirst Globe burned in 1613 Second Globe torn down by Puritans in 1644 Circular outdoor theater – 100 feet across Wooden “O” Stage 50x25, jutted out into audience Groundlings – those who stood on the ground around the stage – paid the least Galleries – seats that formed the walls of the theater – extra fee Box seats – cost even more 3,000 attendees Most money spent on costumes, not set

9. Understanding Shakespeare Understanding his world helps to understand his plays Understanding his world helps to understand his plays

10. Will’s World Themes Themes Central themes are universal and unchanging –Lust, greed, ambition, jealousy, cowardice, loyalty, honor, love, pride, basic human emotions Attitudes about royalty and birthright today are different however. Attitudes about royalty and birthright today are different however.

11. Religion Religion –Today, separation of church and state –Then, the two are not easily separated integral role as background in Will’s plays integral role as background in Will’s plays –Shakespeare was born in a newly protestant country that was rooted in Catholicism –Buried in a church, rare for actor Will’s World

12. Natural Order (theory) Natural Order (theory) –Kings were kings; peasants were peasants –Born into a class; married within your class; lived your life by your class –Might move up slightly if extremely successful –Social position a consequence of birth

13. Will’s World Natural Order, continued Natural Order, continued In practice, change did occur, but large- scale changes invited disaster –Marriages were arranged –Marriages for politics, avoid war, not for love

14. Will’s World Natural Order, continued Natural Order, continued –If you mess around with Natural Order, expect earthquakes, plagues, and storms (often an omen in plays) –Kings were to act as kings; servants as servants

15. Will’s World Natural Order (continued) Natural Order (continued) –God –Angels –Mankind Kings Kings Princes Princes Gentry Gentry Merchant (middle) Merchant (middle) Peasants Peasants Slaves Slaves –Animals Kings received their right to rule from God; to oppose the king was to oppose God. Plays often centered around desire of dukes, earls, etc. not peasants (upset the natural order too much)

16. Will’s World Titles of Nobility Titles of Nobility –King/Queen –Princes/Princess—children of monarch –Duke/Duchess – next highest –Earl, Thane, Count/Countess – ruled a county –Baron/Baroness - “Lord” or “Lady” –Knight – lowest member of aristocracy

17. Will’s World Nature versus nurture Nature versus nurture –Some behavior was inborn Birth fixed your social status and your character traits Birth fixed your social status and your character traits Astrology was a part of everyday life Astrology was a part of everyday life Bastards Bastards –People of noble birth acted nobly –People born illegitimately acted illegitimately.

18. Will’s World Body and Mind Body and Mind –Medicine was simplistic; believed in humors: –Black bile; phlegm; blood, yellow bile Good health required a balance of the four Good health required a balance of the four Imbalance of the four dictated one’s personality Imbalance of the four dictated one’s personality –Melancholic, phlegmatic (lethargic), sanguine (Jovial), or choleric (angry). “He’s in a bad humor.”

19. Will’s World Racial Prejudice Racial Prejudice –Not politically correct –Jews, blacks, anyone else who did not fit the English mold faced discrimination –Shakespeare grew up in this environment –Plays reflect the society –He did avoid stereotypes; made complex characters

20. Shakespeare’s Play Structure Five Acts Five Acts –First act: introduces the characters and sets up the story –Second act: expands the story –Third act: pivotal act. –Fourth act: action unfolds; plans collide –Fifth Act: brings all the pieces together; heroes learn their lesson

21. The Three Unities The Three Unities Aristotle's rules for playwriting: Aristotle's rules for playwriting: –Single plot line –Unity of time –Unity of space

22. Shakespeare’s Language

23. English Old English Old English –Anglo/Saxon; German influence –Beowulf

24. Old English 5 th – 11 th Centuries Hwät! we Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagum þeód-cyninga þrym gefrunon, hû þâ äðelingas ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scêfing sceaðena þreátum. Hwät! we Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagum þeód-cyninga þrym gefrunon, hû þâ äðelingas ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scêfing sceaðena þreátum. From Beowulf From Beowulf

25. Old English 5 th – 11 th Centuries Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements. The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of, How princes displayed then their prowess- in-battle. Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements. The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of, How princes displayed then their prowess- in-battle. Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers

26. Middle English Middle English Middle English –French influence –William the Conqueror/Battle of Hastings in 1066 –The Canterbury Tales

27. Middle English 11 th – 15 th Centuries Ye seken lond and see for your wynnynges, As wise folk ye knowen all th'estaat Of regnes; ye been fadres of tydynges And tales, bothe of pees and of debaat. Ye seken lond and see for your wynnynges, As wise folk ye knowen all th'estaat Of regnes; ye been fadres of tydynges And tales, bothe of pees and of debaat. (The Man of Law's Tale) (The Man of Law's Tale)

28. Middle English 11 th – 15 th Centuries You seek land and sea for your winnings, As wise folk you know all the estate Of kingdoms; you be fathers of tidings, And tales, both of peace and of debate. You seek land and sea for your winnings, As wise folk you know all the estate Of kingdoms; you be fathers of tidings, And tales, both of peace and of debate.

29. Early Modern English Modern English Modern English –Shakespeare’s English is considered Modern but it is still older than today’s version –King James version of the Bible

30. Languages Change Languages change over time Languages change over time –Word order can be different Only his gift is in devising impossible slanders Only his gift is in devising impossible slanders His only gift is in devising impossible slanders –Words come in/out of use thou; ye; thine –Word meaning changes

31. Formal vs. Familiar Three different ways to say “you” Three different ways to say “you” –You –Thou –Ye How these words are used tells us about the character and relationship

32. Formal vs. Familiar Thou – informal, used among friends, to address children or servants, God Thou – informal, used among friends, to address children or servants, God –(think Bible: written for the commoner) –Thou/thee Dost thou knoweth who speaketh to thee? Dost thou knoweth who speaketh to thee? Do you know who speaks to you? Do you know who speaks to you? You – formal, to address a stranger, or someone of higher station You – formal, to address a stranger, or someone of higher station Ye – plural form (you all; y’all) Ye – plural form (you all; y’all)

33. Formal vs. Familiar Thy & thine are possessives of thou Thy & thine are possessives of thou –Thy before consonants: Thy book –Thine before vowels: Thine apple Lovers and friends use thou Lovers and friends use thou Thee : used in the objective case Thee : used in the objective case –I gave the book to thee.

34. Verbs Thou art: you are Thou art: you are Thou hast: you have Thou hast: you have –With thou you add a t, st,or est to the verb –Thou shalt, thou canst, thou dost, thou knowest, thou wilt Shakespeare mixes his verbs: Shakespeare mixes his verbs: –Ist/is; hath/has Sometime you have to add eth: knoweth Sometime you have to add eth: knoweth

35. Contractions Is’tis it Is’tis it ‘tit ‘tit ‘tisit is ‘tisit is o’erover o’erover e’erever e’erever ne’ernever ne’ernever Alter’dalteredread the same Alter’dalteredread the same

36. Common Words A: he A: he An, and: if An, and: if Anon: soon Anon: soon Brave: courageous, but also splendid Brave: courageous, but also splendid Conceit: thought Conceit: thought Cousin, coz: relative or close friend Cousin, coz: relative or close friend Cuckold: husband of an unfaithful wife Cuckold: husband of an unfaithful wife Cur: dog Cur: dog Fain: gladly Fain: gladly Forsooth: truth Forsooth: truth

37. Common Words Gaol: jail Gaol: jail Hap; haply: perhaps Hap; haply: perhaps Hence: away from here Hence: away from here Hither: here Hither: here Mistress: can be applied to any woman Mistress: can be applied to any woman Sirrah: addresses a man or boy of low station Sirrah: addresses a man or boy of low station Tarry: wait Tarry: wait Thence: away from here Thence: away from here Troth: faith Troth: faith Welkin: sky Welkin: sky Wench: girl or young woman Wench: girl or young woman Wherefore: why Wherefore: why Whither: “where to?” Whither: “where to?”

38. Playing with Words Puns Puns – double meanings Malapropisms Malapropisms –Using words incorrectly Slapstick Slapstick –Physical humor Comic Interludes Comic Interludes –Funny moments/scenes Bawdiness Bawdiness –Dirty but not filthy (coarse) Innuendo Innuendo –Subtle jokes with a sexual connotation

39. Questions over Shakespeare 1. Where did Shakespeare grow up? 2. Why were plays performed during the day? 3. Where were many of Shakespeare’s plays first performed?

40. Questions over Shakespeare 4. During which period did William Shakespeare live and work? 5.Where was Shakespeare born? 6. What was the name of the theatrical company of which Shakespeare was a member? 7. Give me at least two attributes of the Globe theater.

41. Questions over Shakespeare True or False 8. Elizabethan audiences listened intently to the words of a play. 9. Shakespeare used words to express the setting and mood of his plays. 10. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, described tragedy as an “illustration of art” 11. Medieval art was deeply symbolic.