Shakespeare! or, The Man Who Talks Funny Tangerine Tigers English Mr. Wong Room 1132

What do you know about Shakespeare?

All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.

To be or not to be, --that is the question:-- Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?

“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?” or “Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow.” or “What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet.”

What did Shakespeare look like?

Who was he? Scholars and professors may be the first to admit that they don’t REALLY know. Scholars and professors may be the first to admit that they don’t REALLY know. Some say he was the King in disguise. Some say he was the King in disguise. Some say he was Francis Bacon, a famous philosopher. Some say he was Francis Bacon, a famous philosopher.

Why is there argument? They say he’s too amazing. Someone from his “class” couldn’t have written the amazing things he wrote. Also, he wrote A LOT.

Some Facts Born April 23, 1564 Born April 23, 1564 Not especially poor nor terribly rich. Not especially poor nor terribly rich. Stopped going school in How old was he? Stopped going school in How old was he? Married Anne Hathaway in How old was he? Married Anne Hathaway in How old was he? 1590’s developed theatre company in London. 1590’s developed theatre company in London. 1596: Son, Hamnet, died. 1596: Son, Hamnet, died. 1601: Father died. 1601: Father died. He died April 23, 1616 He died April 23, 1616

When Did He Live? During a time of strong religious beliefs. During a time of strong religious beliefs. During a time when “entertainment”… During a time when “entertainment”… …was considered somewhat “sinful”. …was considered somewhat “sinful”. …was in the poorer section of town. …was in the poorer section of town. …was a little on the gross side. …was a little on the gross side.

About the Theatre Class issues Class issues Sexist issues Sexist issues Religious issues Religious issues

Wait, if there were all these issues surrounding the theater, then why did it thrive during this time?

Um, by the way, “thrive” means “To grow vigorously; flourish.” In other words, the theater was very popular. But why?

Well, honestly… …that stuff was entertaining. …that stuff was entertaining. …plus it brought in money. …plus it brought in money. …and there was the money. …and there was the money. …did I mention the money? …did I mention the money?

What did the theater look like?

Ok, fine. That was an artists rendition of the OUTSIDE. Normal enough. But what did it look like on the INSIDE? That, little ones, is what makes ALL the difference.

First, the stage. Check it out.

Notice how it sticks out INTO the audience? Not like today’s stages, where the actors are separated and kept away from the audience.

Ok, now look at where most of the people stand, and other people sit.

In Shakespeare’s day… …the POOR people would STAND in the FRONT to watch the play.

…the RICH would SIT in the balcony areas in the BACK and watch the play. …the RICH would SIT in the balcony areas in the BACK and watch the play.

Where they’d have a roof over their heads to block out the sun and in case it started raining.

If you were REALLY rich, you would even pay to have a cushion for your soft little tushy.

Oh waiter! How much for my butt pad?

Why’s He Famous? Wrote over 38 plays. Wrote over 38 plays. Wrote over a hundred poems. Wrote over a hundred poems. Wrote with a keen eye on humanity. Love, jealousy, greed, power… Themes that – even today – almost 400 years later, we connect with and understand. Wrote with a keen eye on humanity. Love, jealousy, greed, power… Themes that – even today – almost 400 years later, we connect with and understand.

The Lust for… Power

The Intensity of… Love

The Curse of… Hatred

The Basics of Humanity

Reinterpretations Hamlet – The Lion King Hamlet – The Lion King Taming of the Shrew – 10 Things I Hate About You Taming of the Shrew – 10 Things I Hate About You Othello – O Othello – O Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet West Side Story West Side Story The other one with Leonardo DiCaprio & Claire Danes The other one with Leonardo DiCaprio & Claire Danes King Lear – Ran (Japanese Translation) King Lear – Ran (Japanese Translation) Twelfth Night – She’s the Man Twelfth Night – She’s the Man A Midsummer Night’s Dream A Midsummer Night’s Dream Twelfth Night Twelfth Night