1. Shakespeare’s
Hamlet

2. Reigning Monarchy Queen Elizabeth Received a formal education
Never married
Loved the theater
Ruler after Queen
Elizabeth—King James

3. Shakespeare’s Life Parents John and Mary Arden
Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon
Died April 23, 1616, buried at Holy Trinity Church
Children: Susanna-1st born, Judith and Hamnet-twins

4. The Writer Types of plays-histories, comedies, and tragedies
Wrote 154 sonnets
Hamlet-Main theme of revenge
Other plays-King Lear, Othello, Richard III, Taming of the Shrew, etc.

5. The theater The Globe All actors were boys
Theaters were prosperous until the Plague closed many theaters
Shakespeare was a member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which later became the King’s Men
Eventually the Globe burned down

6. Tragedy
Tragedy: main character is brought to ruin by a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances
Tragic hero: makes an error in judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy

7. Themes-take notes as you read the play
Revenge
Deception
Death
Madness
Sin and Corruption

8. Drama Climax Act III Rising Action Falling Action Act IV Act II
Inciting Incident
Act I
Act V
Exposition
Catastrophe