William Shakespeare

Life 1564-1616 England Poet, playwright, actor, and owner of theater group 38 plays 154 sonnets Marries Anne Hathaway and has three children The Lord Chamberlain’s Men = first owned play group Leading play company in London at the time Favored by Queen Elizabeth and then King James

The Globe Theater Built their own theater on the River Thames Built in 1599 3 story amphitheater Can hold 3000 people in stadium style seating Destroyed by a fire in 1613

Play and acting information In England, only men are permitted to be actors Boys or very skinny men used to play women Costumes were the most valuable asset Cost of a show: 1 shilling to stand 2 shillings to sit in the balcony 1 shilling = 10% of weekly income

Macbeth

Background info First performed in 1611 Set in Scotland Written for King James I (used to be king of Scotland, but became king of England) Shakespeare did his research before writing Was really a Macbeth in Scottish history (but the play is not accurate) A character is an ancestor of King James I Tragedy – the fall of a great man Regicide – killing of your monarch or leader

Characters Duncan – King of Scotland Malcolm & Donalbain – princes of Scotland

Macbeth – general of Duncan’s army Lady Macbeth – Macbeth’s wife

Banquo – Another general in Duncan’s army Fleance – Banquo’s son

Macduff – Thane of Fife Lady Macduff – Macduff’s wife

Siward – Earl of Northumberland; General of English forces Witches – tell people what will happen in the future

Famous Macbeth quotes “Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it.” “What's done is done.” “Blood will have blood.” “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” “Something wicked this way comes.”

The curse! The play of Macbeth is cursed because it is said that Shakespeare used real spells from real witches. Theater people do not say “Macbeth” while behind stage, only “the Scottish play” or “Mr. and Mrs. M” because horrible accidents have happened in the past