Introduction to Shakespeare & A Midsummer Night’s Dream

William Shakespeare Born 1564, died 1616 Born 1564, died 1616 Married Anne Hathaway and had 3 children: Susanna, Hamnet (dies age 11) and Judith Married Anne Hathaway and had 3 children: Susanna, Hamnet (dies age 11) and Judith Wrote 37 plays Wrote 37 plays Wrote over 150 sonnets Wrote over 150 sonnets Actor, poet, playwright Actor, poet, playwright

Language Used over 20,000 words in his works Used over 20,000 words in his works The average writer uses 7,500 The average writer uses 7,500 The English Dictionary of his time had only 500 words The English Dictionary of his time had only 500 words He’s credited with creating 3,000 words in the Oxford English Dictionary! He’s credited with creating 3,000 words in the Oxford English Dictionary! Examples include: suspicious, obscene, generous, lonely and majestic Examples include: suspicious, obscene, generous, lonely and majestic

Speaking Like Shakespeare You are quoting Shakespeare if you say: You are quoting Shakespeare if you say: ‘dead as a door-nail’ (Henry IV) ‘dead as a door-nail’ (Henry IV) ‘slept a wink’ (Cymbeline) ‘slept a wink’ (Cymbeline) ‘method to his madness’ (Hamlet) ‘method to his madness’ (Hamlet) ‘eating me out of house and home’ (Henry IV) ‘eating me out of house and home’ (Henry IV) ‘It’s all Greek to me’ (Julius Caesar) ‘It’s all Greek to me’ (Julius Caesar) ‘vanish into thin air’ (Othello) ‘vanish into thin air’ (Othello) ‘in a pickle’ (The Tempest) ‘in a pickle’ (The Tempest) ‘green eyed monster’ (Othello/The Merchant of Venice) ‘green eyed monster’ (Othello/The Merchant of Venice)

Shakespeare wrote: Shakespeare wrote: Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings Histories – involve events or persons from history Histories – involve events or persons from history Types of Plays

Later Life Became shareholder in company of actors called Lord Chamberlain’s men – later called The King’s Men Became shareholder in company of actors called Lord Chamberlain’s men – later called The King’s Men 1599 they built the Globe Theatre 1599 they built the Globe Theatre 1603 The plague in London closed many theatres 1603 The plague in London closed many theatres 1613 Fire destroyed The Globe Theatre 1613 Fire destroyed The Globe Theatre 1614 The Globe Theatre was rebuilt on its original foundations 1614 The Globe Theatre was rebuilt on its original foundations 1644 The Puritans demolished The Globe Theatre during the English Civil War 1644 The Puritans demolished The Globe Theatre during the English Civil War 20 th century the site was rediscovered and The New Globe Theatre was built nearby 20 th century the site was rediscovered and The New Globe Theatre was built nearby

The Globe Theatre: The Globe Theatre: Open ceiling Open ceiling Three stories high Three stories high 2 large doors at the back of the stage: actors made entrances and exits in full view of audience 2 large doors at the back of the stage: actors made entrances and exits in full view of audience Trap doors also for entrances and exits Trap doors also for entrances and exits No artificial lighting No artificial lighting Plays were shown during daylight hours only Plays were shown during daylight hours only The Theatre

Spectators Wealthy people got to sit on benches Wealthy people got to sit on benches The poor (called “groundlings”) had to stand and watch from the courtyard called ‘the pit’. It cost 1 penny. The poor (called “groundlings”) had to stand and watch from the courtyard called ‘the pit’. It cost 1 penny. There was much more audience participation than today and they even threw rotten fruits if they didn’t like the performance There was much more audience participation than today and they even threw rotten fruits if they didn’t like the performance

Actors Only men and boys Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage

A Midsummer Night’s Dream A comedy about love A comedy about love 4 Groups of Characters in the play 4 Groups of Characters in the play The Royals – Hippolyta and Theseus The Royals – Hippolyta and Theseus The Young Lovers – Demetrius, Lysander, Helena, and Hermia The Young Lovers – Demetrius, Lysander, Helena, and Hermia The Fairies – King Oberon, Queen Titania, Puck (aka. Robin Goodfellowf) The Fairies – King Oberon, Queen Titania, Puck (aka. Robin Goodfellowf) The Mechanicals – Bottom and friends The Mechanicals – Bottom and friends

Essential Questions: How do we act when we’re in love? How do emotions influence our perceptions? Why do we study Shakespeare

Themes and Motifs Theme: Love Theme: Love Motifs: night, moon, dreams Motifs: night, moon, dreams